The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-08-07
Ladies' and Eallom.6itisena !:

Ladies and Fsllow-Citiseas: ii33& n Eg /;
Human governments, like yersthing else
human, naturally tendtO decay. They can
ouly be preserved by constant watehftti-
ness, courage and adherence to correct
principles. These remarks apply with un-
usual force to free governments, which are
the most difficult of all to maintain. 1t
we, the people of the United States, were
the first in history who had attempted the
experiment of living under a Democratic
or Republican form of government, we
might he excused if we failed to discover
the symptoms of approaching death, and
to apply the remedies to preserve our lib
erty and the blessings we have heretofore
snioyed. But we are not the. first who
have made this experiment. Other peo-
plcs and nations, for thousands of years,
have had Commonwealth, Republics, and
Democracies, which have risen aud fallen
times almost without number. but as
sert o great truth-one which finds no
contradiction or exception in oil history
when l say that the great leading and
substantial causes OF the decay OF freedom
in all countries have ever been the same
How inexcusable must we be if we fail tC
discover the symptoms, and how cowardly
and recreant if we. fail to apply the prope,
remedy to prevent so foul death
No people ever commenced toibulld npa
free government under snch favorable
auspices as we. Wat climate, soil, va.
riety of productionsand material resources
do We possess; and what an ancestry and
what common struggle for liberty did
our fathers pass through! Did any people
ever before commence with such advanta
ses? Rome commenced as a small city
and was despised by the barbariansaround
it,. She extended her power by her arms
and increased till at last she became mis-
tress Of the world We commenced will
such people, country and productions as
no people ever had before, and we had
fewer discussions and clements OF disc0rd
than any people ever suffered from; and
Providence, as ifto separate US from the
crimes and corrupting Influences Of the ole
world spread out this great continent be
fore us, with the wide sea to separate rs
from them, with no influence ofmonarchy
and oppressive systems to threaten o,
make war upon us. If we fail it will be
by our own folly. What excuse can we
render to our posterity and to the world
five, in this day, with the lessons of his
tory before us, allow free institutions t.
perish on this continent? And our race
Will have been the soonest run. We have
not yet lived century. 1t is but seventy
farmej and hnt n;ne+r me Years since
;ndsnsnda,,aa Sns Idn,"SoJ ,,r onr fathers
wb;la tha com,,, 1 ~ Rome liyn
fonr bmndrod naars sj hatnra tbn rneasnre,
which nnod,,aoji I Lar ,looau ,,ero nronosed
Whst uaotaeL n9i ,rLs ha m nsppnIs IN.
riehas. eo;I tha n,ost nai.abi III nprodnct;nns
estaSl;obad " ;f NV tbe nroU;dprca nf Cod
asanew sra in tho h;stpry IF f tha World I
and b;aa;m,s f,;r a., no t,a shartas, ,;vnd y
anv fro, ,am ~ J.; ,Nt 49, sn bs s nc no
lions os s l'lsi'' = '''' : ' z : Z =
There IA MA d;A,n,,tr n,ho4 a&esAa
assere II w;tSont faar - oont,ai;nt;on.-;,
discoyap;ns ,yban and bo~ nation Is DIV
mu naano "' nnu "a ao nov ona,ys;s
alf the sSmntoms y at; ; decay an,
death i y "n1T ;,n ", n~ 70 nressnt tb,
leadina ona g NJ iL o s"ni ~ Il ntharsN
which sxiss;ns' NV, nrod sU ~, oabsrs an,
which heinz ren, aps;.1 'n,,ras ali >otbsrs !.
Then hear Z. ,tbn 900 snmrtan,' nf I'll,
decay ana Saa s & o'>o o.a,pa,a,,t o;s n,
disrssard as t tsa VI 9 ~ Tho
novs,n.,t "o MI sINpAMhN i .,1 w. sn q
trsaf l;astls t,,n; nomon't Peop.o oJ Iow
thew haze a,r S"oi y" az n,aa. da~nornn
point tIat w. i'S . 'of S',tire DE-
struetion Ppv SI,p a aho !, o.har lin,
OF roysn iAep uoii0o' "ool "i1 1Ono. A.n'
far law Is., are als.ain1n W iSspto
fai, IN h.1 - sne peopieol ene gla.sa s'"u '.
law~wh;oH Saoieu i le .ht io e othar NV W.
tiops to ha a.o NV ;n . h ann,want h
decisions ~ as T.. 1919 .aIH ~ ~ T. =, 4
AMI y;sai - ~ se 1.ls uue ~ 80