burst forth by accident, and which the mandate of royalty could quench; the lapse of ages had been required to ripen and mature it. There is a principle inherent in the nature of man, which revolts at being made subject to the exercise of arbitrary power, and whenever the mind has become sufficiently enlightened to perceive its degradation, it struggles to rid itself from oppression. This spirit, had long been at work among the nations of the earth,- -a pure and sacred essence, which could not be reached by the bayonet, or the enactment of laws. Struggle succeeded struggle, ineffectual perhaps, as regarding the specific object, but each aiding to prepare the way for the future triumph of liberal principles. Revolution followed revolution, until the lines between freedom and tyranny were distinctly drawn, and the whole christian world were brought to arrange themselves under the respective banners of the two great contending parties,the friends of liberty and of arbitrary law. Such were some of the circumstances which attended the declaration of independence by the American colonies. They did not mark out any new course of action; they did not discover any principle of government which had before been unknown; they simply embodied the spirit of liberty, which had long existed, in their institutions and laws. It was not, therefore, to the accidental passage of the stamp act, that we are indebted for our freedom, but to the general prevalence of free principles; that was only an occasion which called them more fully into action, and not one which created them. Let us not then, look upon our revolution as the consequence of a particular cause, but as the inevitable result of the onward progress of society, a great work, produced by the action of a united chain of means, extending back through many centuries. Herein consisted the secret of our success. The colonies were fully prepared to commence that great change in political government, which we trust is yet to prevail throughout the world. They were composed of men, whose spirit had never been accustomed to quail before the rod of despotism; who would not depend in religion, but upon Heaven; in their morals, but upon civil equality and good laws; in their happiness, but upon domestic society and the simplicity of virtue. In all these circumstances, tending to prepare the way for, and usher in, the event which we have been contemplating, we cannot but perceive the hand of Providence, working out the final emancipation of man, and elevating him to that condition, which becomes the dignity of God's noblest creation. The consequences which have already resulted, and are still likely to result from the fortunate termination of this revolution, and the organization of a government upon the principle of civil equality, open a vast field for political speculation. When our republic first began to exist, the sovereigns of Europe affected to treat it with contempt, as an impracticable system which would soon work out its own destruction. But the success which has thus far attended its course, has filled its enemies with as much astonishment and alarm, as it has its friends with exultation and joy. Nearly half a century has now passed, since the adoption of the federal constitution by the people of the United States. During this period, what government has afforded its subjects richer prosperity, more undisturbed peace, more general happiness and satisfaction? And this, too, under circumstances the most discouraging, which were calculated to embarrass the operations of the strongest government. A nation had suddenly sprung into existence,-every species of disorder consequently prevailed. A half-starved army were clamorous for the rewards of their services,-no currency was established,—the resources of the country were exhausted by a nine years' war; and in addition to all these distresses, the spirit of faction was agitating every part of the nation. It was amidst such difficulties, that the great experiment of a republican government was to be tried,-an experiment, deeply affecting the political and social condition of the whole human family. The constitution went into operation; and those embarrassments, which threatened to crush it in its infancy, immediately disappeared. An opinion more favorable towards that instrument began to exist; and every party manifested a disposition to give it their cordial support. Thus far, the new government had been more successful than any one had dared to anticipate. But what was the prospect now before it? It was supported by no precedents; its powers were to be determined and applied for the first time. It was to operate over a territory, wide in extent, embracing every variety of climate and production, and consequently many conflicting interests; over a people, made up from many different nations, exposed from their geographical position and diverse habits to unhappy sectional jealousies, and above all, increasing so rapidly in numbers, as greatly to outstrip every means of education and improvement which existed among them. A fearful complication of unfortunate omens! A terrible ordeal for the best government which the experience of man ever devised! But through all these obstacles and clashing interests, the plain republican constitution of our fathers has steadily conducted this people onward, to prosperity and power, until they have attained a high place among the nations of the earth. How enviable must be the feelings of the hoary-headed veteran, when he looks forth upon his country, broad in extent, containing already a vast population, and capable of containing hundreds of millions; when he sees everywhere, the rich fruits of industry and enterprise, and that peace and plenty prevail throughout all its borders; when, from the very wilderness, he beholds cities, seminaries of learning, and the temples of God rising up, as if by enchantment ;-and reflects, that all these happy results have been produced under the administration of that government, which, in the day of its trial, was looked upon by its enemies as a rash and fool-hardy experiment, and by its friends with trembling and distrust. Who, after candidly weighing these considerations, will be disposed to deny to our constitution the elements of perpetuity? No, this trial of free principles has not failed. The blood of our fathers has not been shed in vain. The enlightened world will bear witness to our success. Liberty reigns over the American continent. family of republics already exist in its bosom; and as fast as the frontiers of civilization are pushed into the wilderness, so fast are they extending their dominion and power. A But the influence of our example is not confined to the western world. In despite of all the barriers which have been raised to prevent it, it has crossed the waters, and is doing its silent but effective work among the subjects of despotic power. It has already touched the great lever of reform. It has caused the people to think, a dangerous attribute, perhaps, but one which God has given, and let it be exercised. The magic circle of reverential opinion and awe which surrounded the throne of royalty, has been broken, and the very penetralia of the court entered. The people have discovered that majesty is but man, and that the splendor which attends it, is wrung from their distresses. They have found that their lords spiritual, and lords temporal, have no other right to revel upon the public bounty, than because it was the custom of their fathers; and that a government, whose chief object is to support these artificial orders of society, is an imposition upon their rights. Such have been some of the effects of the American Revolution. That the progress of these sentiments may eventually produce some harm, is more than probable. That freedom may, in some instances, degenerate into licentiousness, is an allowance which is to be made for the frailty of our nature. Nor would it be surprising, if those who have been benefited by the ancient order of things, should so long resist the spirit of reform, that force should be employed to obtain that which they had denied to argument. It is surely unreasonable to suppose, that so radical a change of government among the nations, as seems likely soon to occur, can happen, without causing many unpleasant consequences, and perhaps much bloodshed. Such are the necessary sacrifices in the attainment of high and beneficial objects. But should it yet appear, upon further trial, that the world in its present state is unprepared for the general introduction of the great principles of republican liberty, which were brought to light by our revolution; we must still admire that greatness of spirit, that moral courage in our patriot fathers, which, rising superior to the fears and prejudices of the times, broke through those forms of government which age had consecrated, and in bold defiance of the united powers of despotism, restored to man those prerogatives which are becoming his high destiny, and which nothing but the unrestrained indulgence of his basest passions, can prevent from conferring on him inestimable blessings. And last, not least, we have the gift magnetic- Bids blind men see, and mind, instanter, dart Ye sleepless planet-mongers-why such gazing? Turn down your worthless tubes-knock out your glassesComets might dash along, tails up, and blazing— And ye night-watching, tempest-driven seamen, And ye poor shattered vessels of humanity— Ye wrecks, that need o'erhauling and repairing, Ye ghastly hectics, Death's fresh signet wearing— For, lo! there comes a wonder-working doctor An M. D. Fairy—a Queen Mab—a wizard— |