Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-05-14
CHAPTER XXX.
THE REVOLUTION.

THE REVOLUTION.
The American revolution was the
commencement of a new era in the
history of the world. The issue of
that eventful contest scratched the
sceptre from the hands of the mon
arch, and placed it, where it ought
to be, in the hands Of the people.
On the sacred altar of liberty it
consecrated tho rights Of man, sur
rendered to him the right and pow
er of governing himself, and placed
in his hands the resources of his
country, as munitions of war for
his defense. The experiment was
indeed bold and hazardous; but
success has hitherto more than
justified the most sanguine antici-
patiOns of those who made it. The
world has witnessed, with astonish
ment, the rapid growth and con6r-
nation of our noble fabric of free.
dom. From our distant horizon,
We have reflected a strong and
steady blaze of light on i'll fated
Europe, from time immemorial in
yOlved in the fetters and gloom of
slavery. Our history has excited a
general and ardent spirit ofinquiry
into the nature of our civil institu-
tions, and a strong wish on the
part Of the people in distant coun-
tries, to participate in our bless
ings.
But will an example, SO pOrten-
tOus of evil to the chiefs of despOtic
institutions, be viewed with indif1er-
ence by those who now sway the
sceptre with unlimited power, over
the many millions of their vassals :
Will they adopt no measures of de-
iense against the influence of that
freedom, so widely difinsed and so
rapidly gaining strength throughout
their empires Will they make no
effort to remove from the world
those free governments, whose ex-
ample gives them such annoyance
The measures of defense will be
adopted, the effort Will be made
for power is never surrendered with
out struggle.
Already nations, which, from the
earliest period of their history, have
constantly crimsOned the earth
with each others blood, have be
come band of brothers for the de.
struction of every germ of human
liberty. Every year witnesses an
association of the monarchs of those
nations, in unhallowed cOnclaye,
for the purpose of concerting meas
ures for effecting their dark de-
signs. Hitherto the execution OF
those measures has been, alas ! too
fatally successful.
1t would be impolitic and unwise
in us to calculate on escaping the
hostile notice Of the despots of con-
tinental Europe. Already we hear,
like distant thunder, their express
sions of Indignation and threats OF
vengeance. We ought to anticipate
the gathering storm without dis
may, but not with Indifference. In
viewing the dark side of the pros
pect before us, one source of con-
ISOLATION, Of much magnitude, pre-
sents itself. 1t is confidently ex-
pected, that the brave and potent
nation, with whom we have CON-
mon origin, will not risk the loss of
that portion of liberty, which at the
expense of so much blood and treas
ure, they have secured for them
selves, by an unnatural association
with despots, for the unholy pur-
pose of making war on the few ma
tions of the earth, which possess
any considerable portion of that in
valuable blessing; on the contrary,
it is hoped by us that they will, II
necessity should require, employ
the bravery of their people, their
immense resources, and the trident
of the ocean, in defense OF their own
liberties, and by consequence those
of others.
Legislators, fathers of our coun-
try lose 10 time, spare no expense
in Fastening on the requisite means
of defense, for meeting with safety
and with victory the impending |
storm, which sooner or later must |
fall upon us.
no re CONTINUED.