Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1855-03-08
Jbt 6lasSotu GinGs.
Chiffon Allan on kmericanism.
From the Shelby (Ky.) News.
WINcHEsTER, KY, Jan. IA, %

WINcHEsTER, KY, Jan. IA, '55.
Mn. HENRI F. M1DDLEToN:
DEAR SrR:-I had the pleasure to receive
yours Of the 9th inst, in which you make
allusion to our former correspondence on the
Native American question, and request from
me a communication on that subject / am
not now in the habit of writing much; but
the friendship have SO long entertained for
you, induces me to make some reply; and |
am the more inclined to do so, because |
know that very early in your life you be-
came convinced that american liberty could
not be preserved unless it could be placed
under the control Of the american mind;
and that you have with energy. courage and
consistency, continued to maintain that opin-
ion. Agreeing with you, as you have long
since known, 1 send you this mere outline
sketch of my present thoughts:
We cannot conceive clearly what will be
the future of parties in the United States
without understanding their present condi-
ton. Neither which can be comprehended
till we first pause and take view of the
nature of parties in general, as they stand
portrayed in history. Twill begin, by ma
king a few general remarks, with view &c
their illustration by some examples:
All communities of men have ever been
divided into parties; and, l presume, will
ever continue to be so divided;-
Parties, in their best form, are conducive
10 progress; and in their worst, destructive
TO the best hopes of mani
The questions that divide parties are criie-
ria by which TO judge the improvement Of
the mind and morals Of the ages in which
the same questions continued 10 be the pre-
ponderant subjects Of party controversy;
1t is part Of the order Of things, that,
wherever there is demand for any com
modify. that commodity will be produced,
if in the power of man to produce it; and
that this is as true in regard TO the various
grades Of improvement of the human mind
as it is true in regard TO the demand for any
other necessary of life;-
IN the ages where trivial or incompre-
hensible subjects were the chief topics of
party contention, the mind was educated 10
bring it on level Of such strife; or, in 9TH
er words, it was so manufactured as to suit
the demand i'll the market. No one would
raise large potatoes when the smaller sort
were only in demand. In the ages where
unworthy objects were the chief subjects OF
party division, the mind was educated to
craft and crme;-
Civilization and liberty have been worked
out, when such great subjects were under
discussion as bring into activity the higher
attributes of mans nature.
Some illustrations of these remarks will
now be added:
In mythology and politics there has been
party traceable at all times, from the ear
liest lights of history, differing only in forms
and modes, but having identity of doctrine
and purpose. The doctrine was, the divine
right of Kings and Priests to rule the world
and non-resistance and passive obedience Of
the residue Of mankind 10 their heaven-de-
rived power. Their purpose was wealth
and dominion. This assumed power OPEN
ed wide demand for knaves and fools in
this world; and it must be owned, that the
market was well supplied by both.
The opposition to this assumed power,
although inarticuldte for so long time, was
still carried on in mystifed suffering; ex-
pressing itself in pains, and groans. But,
in progress of time, it became articulate;
and this opposition party arose and put these
questions:
| Is there a power on earth, derived from
Heaven, with rightful authority TO oontro
the minds of all men with regard to all things
above and below? Or, should men be per-
mitted to open their eyes and look freely
out on GoD's universe, and study the laws
established by HIM for its government?
Shall the people of the world have voice
in the choice of their rulers? Shall those
who would be religious go to the Pope or tc
Jrsus CHRIST, to know what they must dc
to be saved?
Here were subjects for new party ir
this world; calculated to swell the heart anC
expand the mind, and fill the soul with the
highest and holiest aspirations.
At this ever to be venerated era, a de.
mand sprang up for great and good men,
This demand gave new cast to human eli.
fort, in all the modes of improvement. TIL,
mind was so educated as to fit it for III,
comprehension Of The weightiest matters o
human concernment. As an oif-shoot anc
consequence, the noble, manly virtues char
acterize this period. Whatever we have o
civil and religious freedom we owe mainl,