The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-07


most essential particulars, in the general spirit and
been copied from il, with only such smpli6cations
and deviations practical men, attentive TO circum-
stances acting for dissimar constituencies and
PEELED to submit 10 many compromises, would neces-
sarily introduce
But among the remarkable anticipations of future
reality contained in this singular essay there is
more remarkable than Hume's distinct prognosiica-
ton of the growth Of such senseess distractions and
chmerica factions as modern abolitionsm in the
bosom Of even his perfect commonwealth.
Contrary to tho opinions then current entertained
by many in this couniry--even in late years still
cherished by his countrymen, and believed by the
greater part Of Enrupe-that republican form Of
government could not co.exist with an extensive ter
ritory, Hume selected in tho amplitude OF the pro-
posed domain the clements of stability and perrDa-
nence and perceived that the broad compass of the
republic, by preventing immediate collisions, an
demonstrating compromises and reciprocal regards for
dissimiar interests and views, might prevent those
internal struggles which would prove fatal to
other and smac< communities similarly organ
lied. Did Hume possess the Scotch gift of second
sight2 Did he penetrate The future, and AZ
ready, like Burke, but distinctly, see aar
of tho destinies and coming glories of America
Was he then contemplating the possibilities and con-
tngencies which awaited the English colonies the
western shores of the Atlantic? Among the colo
NAL governors aud provincial officers, many of whom
were 'camy Scots and slirewd, sagacious, politi-
cal observers, he may have had friends who attract
cd his attention to this country, and furnished him
with the details Of it's condition as the basis of his
conectures. He very nearly visited the country
himself in TAG as secretary To Gen. ST. Clair, when
the conquest Of Canada was resolved upon. That
expedition sailed to France, but this prospective
visit might have influenced his speculaions; aud,
moreover his diplomatic employments, and his con-
nexion with prominent statesmen might have deter
mined his inquiries and supplied him with informa-
ton But there is no indication of any reference to
this country henevcr mentions America he pro-
fesses only to depict his Utopia, with quiet smile
at his own credulity in suffering himself to be be-
gniled by dreams. He makes pretensions to
prophecy; bu! fneithcr prophet nor the son of
prophet, he may claim a prophets reward. His
draft, so far as il had any avowed reference or
ORIGINAL was Halleu on MS mOuel OI tHo CniIeu
Provinces Of tho low countries; and it time and
destiny that produced closer counterpart il
America. a
But Hume did not anticipate permanent existence
even for his perfect government, though he discard
cd tho ordinary for doubling the stability of
an extended republic. He foresaw danger springing
from the bosom of prosperity, poisonous weeds
a. &c an,
foresaw that mere wantcnness might set Jesh'rim to
kicking when he grew fat that goodly ship might
sink in calm after weatherng tornado, and that
the pletliorc humors of the blood might break out
into fatal eruption
1T ID needless" says he, g to inquire whether
such government would be immortal allow The
justness Of the poets exclamation the endless
projects Of the human race 1frn, and forever The
world itself probably is not immortal. Such con
Stunning plaques may arise as would leave even per-
feet government prey to its ncighbors. We know
not to what length enthusiasm, other extraordinary
movements Of the human mind may transport men
to the neglect of all order and public good. Where
difference of interest is removed, whimsical, unac-
counable factions often arise from personal favor
cnmty Perhaps rust may grow to tho springs of
the most accurate political machine and disorder its
notions"
But are not the northern fanaticisms which have
been long convulsing and endangering the Union
free soilsm acknowledgement, native
Amcricanism significantly foreshadowed in this re-
markable extract? Is not the black-republican move
ment the ground-swe left behind in the rolling wa
tcrs after all the external forces which maintained a
genuine political warfare upon the democratic party
and the storms of legitimate party strife, have sunk
into repose by the extinction of the whiga and the
death and burial Of the mighty power of the old fct
eral tempest? Is not aboiionism whimsical and
uuaccouniabe faction eugendcred by the absence Of
solid grounds Of party opposition Pa fungus growth
generated by the putreaction and fermentation of
rich SOIL abandoned by large part Of its cultivators
for want of any sound seed to SOW for regular crop?
Does it not arise, and derive ts main strength from
personal animcsities and jeaouses, and from enmity
to the continued ascendcncy OF democratic leaders,
And has not Hume laid down the general law under
which it is included. and forcscen by century is
and the ruinous consequences Of such
dissensions?
Hume's sagacty in anticipating the growth Of such
factions founded caprice aud chimerical fantasies
is only eqaaled by his wisdom in recognising that
their trivial appearance at first,
most THAR anJ amin,