Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-08-11
THE NAT1oN,s GLORY.

a lecturer has been understood 10 say that
nations glory does not lie in q consolidated
unity, nor in complete system of popular ed
ucation. China afforded an illustration of the
soundness of his position. Rather amusngly
he forgot to recall the fact that the system of
education established in China he had already
shown to be bad one and the unity estab-
lished TO be no better. Certainly a vicious sys-
tenn of education and tyronnicnl unity cannot
advance nor belong to national glory. Wherein
lay the true glory of na,ionp In her Lib
erty, was the reply.
We are accustomed to think unity and edu-
cation very important elements in nations
life-and highly honorable. If they may be
assaied, may not liberty as wellP Is it not
sometimes said that liberty may be confounded
with or run into licensep And may not the
Southern States be advanced as illustration
where liberty came to mepn freedom to ensave,
and they asked only 10 be let aloneP Is such
liberty glory 10 na,ionp Was our country
glorifed when foreign reviewer headed an ar
ticle upon her affairs with "Slave Empire of the
WestP"
Were we asked what makes the glory of
nation, we should say Righteousness and Pro-
gress. These imply at least an advance tow
ards the best national life. Without them uni
ty may sink into tyranny--at all events is not
real; education may be partial and superficial,
but cannot be more; and liberty can be only
an accident-und all are liable TO pass away at
the first spark of CONFUSION. But with these
unity becomes more complete, diversified and
real; education training into manly and wo-
manly life-in which knowledge grows into
wisdom, the acquaintance with facts into per-
ception Of principles the perception of princi-
pies into development of power, and this in
turn into the disposition to their use for the
advancement of human good and liberty rises
into her true honor and security. For she
then becomes the acknowledged right, not only
Of one class, but of every human being. In
her possession every one finds room and oppor-
tunty for his own proper activity. Each be-
comes thus check upon his neighbours license /;
and in every one liberty has defender, ready,
as for country, property, home or life, for her,
if need be, to die
In times past we have been used TO tLinl,
that Union and Education were two of the
fountains or at least bulwarks of liz. ties.
We think so still. We prize them more than
ever now-if that be possible. For now they
are connected with not only our hopes for the
future, but many associations and memories
sacred to those who have died for them. We
are not willing TO hear them lightly spoken of.
Certain it is that without them a nation cannot
be nobly great. And if they are absent, what
guaranty for peace or heedomP The only lib
erty which can be glorious to a nation is one
intelligent enough to understand the rights OF
all men, and harmonious enough to prize and
guard them. The liberty which the Southern
Confederacy proposed to establish would be a
menace indeed TO all mankind-a hdeous mon
ster of lnglory and wrong. And our liberty
though won at so great an outlay of blood and
resources, will not be glorious if it be not for
the black man as truly as the white.
| The glory of nation, like its life, has many
component parts. 1t cannot be identified with
| one-though each may contribute TO il. Ger
tainly noble part of it is generous mutual
regard in the minds of its people-especially
where among them exist great variety of not
easily reconciled interests. Where it is and
has force enough 10 bind them into strong
and mutually supporting whole, it is itself a
high tribute to their superiority and worth.
Surely not less noble part of it is such a pub
lie education as-not like the Chinese system, a
thing of mere rote--shall develop all the pow
ers, and place every child in the fullest posses
sion Of the faculties given him 10y the Creator.
Surely no nation can reach glory Justly So
called without these. Need we add that with.
out liberty its glory would but be shamep 1t
certainly would be sham. So that here we
have three essential ingredients in nations
glory. Different classes of men will add 9TH
ers-the mercantile will add commerce, the
farming agriculture, the scientific arts and man
ufactures-and we gladly accept all. Jay Cooke
& Co. would add debts; but this we cannot
accept-the only glorious thing about them
that we know of being their honest mourning
in good cause, and their as punctual payment,
principal and interest," when due.
But, after all, the best shape into which we
know how to put nations glory is good men
and women. Wherever they 60 and whatever
they do they reflect honor on their country and
extend her good influence. They make her
| present what it should be-and are the best
security for her future progress. The larger
the number of healthy, incorruptible, unselfsh,
and loyal to Right, Peace and Liberty among
her citizens, the higher her glory. Where their
number is few or declining shame is on her,
or approaching, which no wealth, prosperity,
nor triumph of arts or arms can compensate
for. Each of her children adds to her glory or
her shame.
INCOMES.
We gave last week the names of Brattleboro