Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-10-05
II-'-'- IIiUMMUNICAIEU.
ARRANGEMENT By j. 3. Johnson.

RsTRANGEWENT-By j. B. Johnson.
There was once young and beautiful coun-
trv Its birth was marked by all the perlls
that conspired to prevent its being and every
svpedient of hate and force was sought to des-
t,ov ;ts life 1t was born amid the cashing
of arms, and its imperiIled body was pitted by
the scars of many hard fought battle. 1t
escaped the slough of every thing that was in
tended to crush it, and took it's place among
the nations of the earth. The sword tried vet
erans who made it, loved it with fervent pa
triotism and prayed the dispenser of all good,
TO keep it under the guidance of his bountiful
care. Heavens smile lighted its way over the
smooth path Of time, and a serene sky beamed
upon its progress. 1t promised, with all the
charms of glorious career, to be the proudest
that The wisdom of man had ever created. 1t
became vigorous with astounding rapldity;
and nations that had been struggling for centu-
ries against the defects Of their organization,
paused to marvel at its vigor. 1t possessed all
that was liberal in policy, just in law, and COM
prehensive in political economy. The plctur-
eNueness Of its scenery was. enhanced by the
saubrity of its air, and its territory swept from
ocean to ocean. Its science was attractive, its
art useful, and it's literature instructive. Its
coDception was as interesting to study, as It's
proportion was grand to contemplate, and Its
excellence was inestimable. Strangers visited
its limits with ever increasing feelings OF Joy;
and its praise was the measure OF every pau-
dit It's wise men were the admiration OF CIV
ization. and its statesmen the pride OF Wis
dom and virtue. Its attributes were too un-
doubted for envy, and its course too pure for
aueht but commentator. Its Importance was
beyond peradventure, and its strength was too
immense to meet serious external opposition.
When it spoke, the world stayed it's giddy
whirl to catch the import of its sovereign voice
Its magnanimity dispelled fear, its goodness
invited respect and its business insured love.
The rights of each of it's citizens were regarded
az inviolable, and the liberty and property OF
the humblest were shielded with the sternest
sanctitv of the law Their virtue was honor
ed, their worth esteemed, and their industry
rewarded. Nought appeared to make them
afraid. The follower Of Christ worshiped his
Creator in whatever manner circumstances
made it agreeable to his inclination; and no
high-sounding title was necessary as a passport
to places of trust and emolument. Its press
was an effective defence of its potency; and
speech was as free as the air that conducted It's
words to the ear of propriety. Its laws were
as simple as they we're ample; and the will OF
its people being the scope OF It's reign, more
was expected from the action OF their good
sense, than could ever be acquired by the rgor
Of LEGAL enactments Plenty was so profusely
established throughout its vast extent, that
its population rarely gave itself any concern
about the supplies OF the morrow. 1t had
no rule save the guage OF Its COnstitu
ton and no officer would essay law that
did not meet the consent OF those who were to
be governed by it. No nation that had ever
lived before evinced such abundant promise OF
ultimately swaying the world by the force OF its
example and wisdom OF It's precepts. Twice 1t
had humbled the pride of its most arrogant
foe; and before it's frown, the hostile threats
Of august countries, sank into ab]ect apologies;
But, alas,its very precoclty seemed to be tatal
to its existence; and surfelt OF advantages,
generated torpid indifference that neglected
those sate-guards that were ever requisite to
keep it moving steadily in the cycle OF purity
and excellence. Nothing msnaced it from
without, but danger grew from within and
against the insidious disease that made its 81
lent inroads upon it's being, it seemed to pos
sess no remedial agent. All its vlgor was at
tanned in the period OF two generations and
it ltmatured too soon Its active sons were too
rash and eated to self-suficiency BY the ad
Vancement which they had accomplished,
they thought of the admonitions of their faith
ers with as much eVity as they remembered
their nursery tales and bloated coRRUPTIoN n
liked its foul hold upon their hearts. There
was no line of demarkation to separate the
pure from the impure; and all were alike IN
tected Delnium took possession Of the ma
tOns's mind and all were hurried hither and
thlther by the fury of its raying. Like ner-
VOus infant it was convulsed with the protean
emotions Of hope and fear j; and from that mo-
nent, decay measured it's rapid steps to dlsso-
luton. The luxurious gifts that had before
oeen the food of its pride, became instruments
10 hasten its destruction, and degeneracy mark
ed its every movement. What would have
Deem held as blessings by other notions became
us curse; and the organic compacts that were
as bonds Of love to their founders, became as
webs, before the tornado like vehemence o
'aelr grandchildren S rashness. Restess dis
content bred the fell spirit Of injurious reform;
thoughts OF its people. They toolishly imag-
med that the institutions which had begotten
ai their nations greatness, were evils, and an
intense impatepce manifested ITSELF and ruined
!l .aelr equanimity by causing them to be mad
alth themselves Dissension did its part and
society was riven into as many angry classes as
= it.ad mad varieties of form. Sectarianlsm added
It's lis babel voice to the general turmoil, and the
members OF the various churches separated
Tp Tpu each other, in loud and reproachful words
,uIae spirit Of discord passed from the pulpit to
Tue: he forum, and men, high in the renown OF
ma ruel Professions forgot the purity OF the er-
Ma MTtae' and engaged in the pervading contention
sle ale Iostrum caught the spell, and partlzalns
S;as %!.o mad heretofore known nothing but the
sse9sson ass1 Of frank and peaceful questions, ut
Tte Tted the language of provoking invective.--
iue application of offensive epithets, engen