The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1867-05-09

a WnVh OuSutj anu fDIuScS, anu Aul-
werp, exhibited imperial power,
and held d within their grasp the
treasures of the land, and of the
Islands of the Sea. They were rich
and powerful, and, for a time, pros
porous; butthe noisy turbulence OF
Their Democracy, the wild pas sions
of their tickle populations, the UNI
certain energy of theirDublic. viii,
as itrose and fell with he,changes
of the bourse, or with the emotions
which were communicated as the
citizens crowded to council at the
tones of the great beil--lacked that
element of calm repose and undis-
turbed deliberation which is essen
tial to the duration of republics,
They could in an hour call their cit
izens together, and, by appealing
to their, patriotism, or cupidity or
hatred, so stirthe blood asst evoke
an opulence of resources and an
energy Of will which could conquer
the world-but they could not
,quell the passions which they had
aroused, and privat rights were
sacrificed, and public Interests
were ,betrayed-and aRarchy "a en-.
sued, and Democracy took refuge
under the shelter Of @ aStroNger aris-
tocracy; and this, rent in twain by
like causes, sought to the gtrohger
arm of the monarch, and the Re-
public became the splendid foot
pstool Of a throne, or dwindled away
in poverty, obscurity, end hopeless
weakness. They were the com
mercial republics Of the world. 49,
Compare them with Switzerland,
whose mountain Businesses have
produced race of shepherds, and
hunters, and graziers. D GWsIt
!, Compare them with San Marino.
Its population is eight thousand;
its area is not five miles square; its
little Capital, perched upon a rug
J ged height, can look down with
! guardian care over every foot of the
country. 1t was founded in the
last flashes OF the declining glories
Of Imperial Rome. 1t has outlived
the darkness Of the succeeding ages,
| the temptations OF the commercial
success Of the twelfth, thirteenth
and fourteenth centuries, the CON
vulsions and WARS of those still
nearer to our day, and her peasants
boast, with entire truth, that they
are 10 day the free citizens OF the
1 eldest and smallest republic of the
world. " f+'lt.t'' ' naH-.
Compare them with our own re-
public. The history of our race,
from the landing at jamestown
and New York and Plymouth Rock
till the loom which / have cited
was pronounced, may well excite
an honest pride. 1t has its dark
spots, its pages Of folly, of weak
ness, of crime, but on the whole it
is a record Of great virtues and of
great success-of industry, frugali.
ty, simplicity, intelligence, apti-
tude for government and love for
freedom. Nature had done much
for our country. Circumstances
have done much for the develop
ment of virtue and the repression
of vice, but to our countrymen is
due this measure Of commendatiOn
that they wisely profted by these
advantages, and steadily maintain
ed their position IN the advancing
ranks Of the progress ofthe ages.
These we're the Farmer Repub-
\ lies. Theirs were HI1a .aiHtoF
4 "The softening arts of Peace!
Whate'er the humanizing muses. teach
The Godlikc wisdom OF the tempered breas
Progressive truth, the patient forge o
4 Investigation calm. whose silent powers
Command the world the light that leads t
= illeaVepjng.I b4Otf Il H.. -, I
\ King. equal rule! the government oftaws!
! And protecting freedom, which aloneV
Sustains the name and dignity of map.prle
Nor was our own the leastrematk-
able of them alLij Plain. simple
hmostentatious, strong,it was iouR
ded on the maxim that thetrue OBJ
jectofall governments to securet'
all men the enjoyment of the. great
est amount OF liberty; that its chic
function is to keepthe peaceoinor
der that each man may be free t.
developto the largest extent hi
own aptitude for happiness, There
tore, the subjects ON which itconlt
act were few, and the powersswitl
, which it could act were. limited.
1t partook of the character o
; the men of 1887. They wer'
; practical men. They had been ed
tlcated in the Revolutionary wal
, or in the civil service efd thel
: States OF of the confederation