Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1867-05-02
Communicated
Northumberland
What Were the United states Of
AmeTIcaI-And What are They
NOW3

AmeFIca1-And What are They
NOW9
What a mighty change has the progress Of
power effected on this vast continent Of ours?
Four centuries have not elapsed since COlum.
bus discovered the New World. Almost eter-
nal and majestic forests then covered a great
portion of the surface of the newly discOv-
cred land-its noble Rivers we're only navi-
gated by the beardless Indian, in his frail
canoe, and the Red Man, with "unintOrr upt-
ed mind" was monarch Of ali he surveyed,
Who, then, thought that there would ever be
seen the mighty Improvements in the new
land, which have since been seen by us?-
Cities, Towns, and Villages, with their in
dustrious and intelligent inhabitants, once
spread an air Of refinement and comfort
around them. First, Canals, and second
Railroads-in themselves monuments of the
ingenuity and perseverance of man-nOw in
%tOrsect different parts of the country, and
facilitate the transmission of the produce Of
the land. The vast "hunting-grouad" ha.
been greatly reduced and converted into
beautiful farms; and the population Of for.
eign nations have received the superabund-
ance Of the American soil, in exchange for
the respective products Of their different
climates, From q few settlers, driven by
persecution from their native homes, o great
and powerful nation had arose in the UNITED
STATES, whose energies and industry were
without u parallel, and whose spirit
commanded the envy and admiration OIL
Europe, and became an asylum for the
oppressed and misgoverned of oil "Princi
palities aAd Powers" From whence arose
these pleasing developments Of the faculties
of man2 What gave birth 10 that clear and
brilliant light which enabled every individ.
ual to view things through their just and
true medium? The answer comes boldly, in
reply to the inquiry of every true American
citizen: that it was that principle implanted
in him by the Great and Wise Ruler-the
natural desire andinalisndbe r,ghtofa IF people.
The colonistS of Great Britain were regard
ed as mere "hewers Of wood and drawers
Of wster"-the bond -servants of o proud
and unrelenting aristocracy-their King
-uled them with a rod of iron, till oppression
had filled its cup, the draught of which was
too great for human endurance.
Resistance became their duty; AMI how
infexibly that resistance was maintained
with what consistency q WASHINGTON con
Quoted his band Of devoted and heroic patri-
OTIS through a long and perilous campaign
the glory which marked its termination
and the last solemn act Of that GREET and
victorious chief, history has we'll recounted
with pride-they form the brightest and
most instructive lessons of our country,
The right of Kings 10 sway over the
minds and bodies of their subjects was
exploded aud a lesson of self-govern.
meut was presented to the world, which
bad the effect Of producing q most salu-
tary Influence, The free institutions of
America was then felt, and the stability
of the thrones Of Europe was made the
stake. Men would not then so easily
permit themselves to be kept in leading
strings as now. Independence of thought
"a deep and critical examination into
tie acts and policy Of the government
and a watchful jealousy of tho exercise
of power, were among the important
sigus Of the times.
An impressive contrast to the United
States pfAmerica was presented by Italy
Portugal and Other European
dominions. The "Book of Knowledge
was then a closed volume-the people
we're enveloped in the most gross dark.
ess;-iguoranoe and crime debased
their mind, and an ~unspsring tyranny
reigned triumphant. America then in
infancy, was q weakNand helpless gov~
eminent, yet Independent, a people proud
Of their liberty--of their Independent
government, aud the fair prospect that
was by thcm entertained, Of making the
American government one Of the most
powerful Of all nations, and so might it
have been, had the people continued in
the same spirit Of fraternal peace, and
love, as that upon which their improve.
medts in America started out upon.
."The lives of u forsfathers, the he.
rOes of America" are proper studies for
the youth of America. 1t is particularly
SO with the men of the Revolutionary
era. A. general character marks the
career of those noble'men.
The great actors in the scenes Of the
revolution, were not always brilliant,
though many of them possessed more
talents, but they we're almost without OK
ception honest and truthful, and ardently
devoted to their country.
The world has never witnessed a more
sincere body Of patriots Of equal aingls.
ness Of parpyse, aud simplicity Of means
and ends, then were the fathers In, the
revolutionary struggle for their iudepen-
dance. There was little mystery about
any Of them. The children Of honest
parents, they grew up, mostly ID rural
occupations, good youths, hardy, clear
sighted, capable Of endurance and with
the will to endure and suffer in the de.
fanoa of thai. r;uhto and;n a.. Ic-..