The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-07-08

pOWCl vi 'IuuOOCHtO uu0 JuctiSSt WIN viz
present era finds man, in his particular
character, being vastly improved, and
standing upon an eminence which it re-
quired ages of toll and efforts of perse-
verance to reach. The establishment
of American institutions, formed new
era in the political history of man. 1t
turned the tide of events, and directed it
in new channel. Though a solitary oc-
currence in itself, it has done more for
the amelioration of our race, than any
thing which has ever been known of a
like character. Everything which could
have conspired to give this event impor-
tance, and notoriety, did conspire to pro-
duce the effect previous and attendant
circumstances united to call universal at
tention to it, and spread its powerful ha-
ven through the entire maps of society.
Who was then the foe against whose tyr
amy our country contended? An OBJ
scure and feeble nation, enervated by
corruption, without courage and determi-
nation! Was it such a nation! MOI
We contended with the mightiest nation
on the globe. England, whose arm had
never known weakness, ard whose brow
was covered with laurels, gathered on
her "thousand battle fields" England
with an invincible feet, and with her
motto Brittonia rules the wave" she
was our enemy and what were we p
Small in our population, limited in our
resources, 'undisciplined and totally un-
prepared for the conflict. Such a con-
flict was we'll calculated to excite SYM
pathy and observation, and to accom-
plish those great and general purposes
or which patriots bleed and die. No
,;effsseea eealiaa have been more fortunate
than the one at which it occurred. Pro-
videncc always seems to have an eye to
time, and especially in this instance does
it appear to have been considered. Had
it taken place earlier or later, its glorious
results might have been partially coun-
teracted. Happening at the time it did,
when the public mind and feeling were
in rpened state, it made firm grasp
upon opinion, and entwined itself more
closely around the sympathies of our
race. Whatever modification of a popu
lar government had existed prior TO that
period, there had never been framed such
political system; the materials, it is
true, were to be found before-principles
of similar character had been professed
in the great "Magna Chorta;" but they
had never been embodied into such
form. The temple of liberty which our
patriot fathers raised on the soil of the
Western hemispherc-Whose foundation
was laid in nature, and whose walls were
cemented by their own blood-was built
upon model entirely new. 1t was at
that time then, that the greatest battle
of human rights and liberty was to be
fought. Then it was that Tyranny and
freedom were to decide their strength
and merits America was the theatre OF
action; the world its spectators. OPP
preston on the one side drew up its for
midable lcgions, trained to its service,
and accustomed to defend its usurpa-
tions; justice on the other, ranged her
champions. They were few, but faith
full: there was nerve in their arms, and
righteousness in their cause. She told
them of their outraged rights; she point
ed to the wounds they had received, and
urged them forward to the meeting
What were the consequences See them
in the happiness and peace that have
blessed our land, in the prosperity that
has attended almost every step of our
nation. See them in the radiant hopes
that illuminate the darkness of the dis
tant future. See them in the conduct Of
other countries, who have initiated our
example, and obtained the same invalua-
BILE prize. Consequences that cause the
purest principles of philanthropy to dilate
within the bosom of every true patriot,
and increase the praises that rise from
earthly affairs to the throne of God. Al
ready have the poems of that praise been
heard by the most distant nations; al
ready have the most sanguine hopes of
our forefathers been realized, and sealed
by the decree of Providence. May they
roll on in ceaseless tide, till all shall
have felt their genial influence!