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Show 398 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. materially to endanger our rights. Although we may ~differ, as t~ the best mode of administering the govem· 1815• meot, a circumstance which happens to all in propor· tion as liberty is enjoyed ; and although, as has been the case, party spirit may be carried beyond what rea· son or prudence may sanction, yet against the invaders of our rights, our union is strong, and all parties are the same. Should the period ever arrive, when our nation shall be vitally assailed, it will be perceived that all advantages calculated to arise from our jarrings, are delusive; that there will be but one party, all rallied in defence of a connti"y, believed by them to be tl1e freest and happiest, resolved to swim, or sink to-gether. · The proclamations disseminated by Great Britain to the people of tl1e United States, were mockery,an insult to our understandings, and · a reflection on her o¥m: but the divisions she saw, prevailing among us, were no doubt the inducement. If ever there were a time, when she could have even partially effected the disorganization so industriously endeavoured to be fomented, and reached us through our differences, it was before she had, by an unusual, and hitherto unpractised system of warfare, destroyed all confidence, and excited our just indignation against her; and before, too, she had so effectually aided to subvert: the liberty of France, and plunge her in a state of absolute vassalage, when, throughout, the professed and openly avowed object was to rescue from oppression, and make her "free indeed." When such an example, with all its wretched and fatal consequences, is held LIFE OF_ GEN. JACKSON. 399 up to view, w~ll may nations spurn every external in- CHAP terference, however plausibly it may be offered. XI. · . The principles of our government are at variance........._., Wtth war-tl1ose of her citizens no less so. If, amidst 1815• the. general confusion of the world, we have been forc-e? mto a struggle, it was for the preservation of our nghts, and to resist aggressions which had become too ~umerous and grievous to be longer borne. With na-twns, as with individuals, a submission to ins~lt but authorizes a repetition ; and fmbearance under injuries is construed into imbecility to redress them. We boast not of any thing acquired by our contest. Conquest and power were not the inducements to its commencement : what was sought has been attained. We have secured fi·om oth~r nations a respect, which our peaceful habits had forfetted. We have brought more closely into view our own strengtl1, and our own resources ; and shown our enemies, that, however we may be solicitous for pe~ce, and opposed to war, there is a point, where even patience becomes exhausted. But, above all, our con-test has had the effect of drawing closer the cords of our union, -quieting party opposition, and allaying discontent. In future, therefore, when we shall be told we have. gain:d nothing by the war, laying aside all other constderatwns, we will point to our union, which it has ~ore strongly and indissolubly cemented, as of greater 1mpor~nce than any thing that has happened, since t11e all-glonous hour our Independence was declared. THE END. |