it operating as the cause of moral degradation throughout the world. We have felt its weight imposed upon us by our mother country when we were deprived by her of the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty, and when, having fled to this western wilderness, she still pursued us and demanded obedience to her laws. Hence it is that we shun not so much oppression itself, as the forms under which it once existed; and while we abhor the name of slavery, we fear not its approach, if upon it be inscribed the principles of democracy. But whether we do or do not regard the spread of democratical principles as indicative of future good, let us not regard them as the security of free institutions, nor be unmindful that they also have exerted their influence in effecting the downfall of civil liberty.

But while we forget not the dangers which beset us, we hope well for the prosperity of our republic. We have already intimated that the indications of prophecy,-the spirit and intelligence of our citizens, forbid discouragement. We might add also, the power of religious truth, which lies at the foundation of every well regulated system of government. But religion, if its calls are unheeded, (the very source of our fears,) avails nothing; and there is no need of arguments or essays, to convince any rational mind that it only can secure our peace and prosperity. It is some encouragement then to know that prophecy warrants us in the belief, that the influence of religion will make triumphant the principles of our government; and that our citizens will never become so reckless of moral obligation, as to abandon the interests of the country.

In regard to the predictions of prophecy, we shall not attempt to specify the time when they shall be fulfilled. Suffice it to say, that in the belief generally entertained, that a day is coming when the reign of liberty and peace shall be universal, we find ground for encouragement. The advancement of society to such a state must be gradual, and it will attain to its ultimate perfection only by slow and steady movements. But although these movements are slow, the belief is becoming more and more prevalent, that the darkness of corrupt principles, political as well as moral, is receding before the dawn of intelligence and correct public sentiment. If this belief is well founded, and if the principles of our government are to regulate the whole of civil society, a fact which American citizens will not call in question,-is it presumption to suppose that the same principles will produce order and harmony in the institutions of our own country? We do not mean here to intimate that all governments will be the same in form as our own, nor are we strenuous in maintaining that ours is not destined to undergo some important changes; but if its fundamental principles are not correct, whence shall we derive those which are? From discoveries yet to be made in politi

cal science? Cherish not such expectations. Our statesmen wish for no other principles than those which have been adopted as the basis of our government. All they wish is to see these made to regulate our systems of policy, and rules of action. The experience of ages tells us that there are no others so congenial to the spirit of liberty, and so essential to the existence of free institutions. If then they fail to accomplish what we expect of them among a people enlightened by a wide diffusion of knowledge, and governed by intelligent and virtuous sentiments, how can we expect that the institutions of a well organized society will ever be enjoyed by nations sunk in ignorance, and blinded by superstition? Must we then abandon all hope? No; the decree has gone forth, and will not be revoked, that the reign of anarchy shall not long endure; and we trust that it will first come to an end in this land, where civil and religious liberty sheds forth her benign influence. May we not even predict that such a period is near at hand. There never has been a time when the political prospects of nations promised more than at present; and where are brighter prospects than are presented in republican America ?

The spirit and intelligence of our citizens have been suggested as another source of encouragement in regard to our country. But we expect that to some minds at least, this may appear questionable. Nor is this strange. Accustomed as we have been to associate with the name of Puritan all that is virtuous and praiseworthy,—with the mention of revolutionary heroes, a magnanimity and nobleness of character almost worthy of adoration, we have imagined that our progenitors were all governed by the same noble principles, and hence have concluded that our citizens have departed from the spirit of their boasted ancestry. If this conclusion is in some respects correct, we still claim that there has been a manifest improvement in the state of society while our institutions have been maturing. We would not suggest any consideration which might tend to lessen our respect for past generations. It is our boast that we have sprung from such a venerable stock. But if a slight examination, rather than the adoption of the prevailing opinion, does not mislead us, we no where find in the whole history of our country more refinement, more intelligence, or public sentiments more correct, than exists at the present day. The crude manners and customs which once prevailed, although they mark an age of admirable simplicity, we would not wish to see reinstated among us. If also it is said that we are losing our character as an intelligent people which we once possessed, ask any one who has had the experience of half a century, and he will tell you that the standard of education has been greatly elevated since his recollection. He, who was once considered a proficient in learning if he had advanced farther than the elementary principles of knowledge, must now be made acquainted with the

great transactions of history, the phenomena of nature, and the results of scientific research. This remark is perhaps more applicable to a New England community, than to the settlements of the West. But it is questionable to our minds, whether advantages for intellectual culture are not enjoyed even there superior to those which were afforded to the first settlers of the country. The colleges and seminaries of learning established in the West, have not required the lapse of almost a century to give them respectability and character. While yet in their infancy, they have assumed the standing of institutions in which many great minds are deeply schooled in literature and science, soon to come forth the defenders of constitutional liberty, and the almoners of the nation. If too these advantages are not appreciated by the crowds of ignorant and superstitious immigrants who people those great valleys, is it unreasonable to expect that their sons will rise up and claim a participation with us in the privileges of intelligent and virtuous citizens? Such an inference may be drawn, we think, from some of the older settlements of the West. Owing to peculiar circumstances, there has often been an apparent neglect of education and other means of improvement. These, however, contrary perhaps to what we might naturally expect, have generally found firm supporters among the benevolent of another generation.

Again, the alarming prevalence of vice, the occasional clamors of a mob, and the cry of disunion so often repeated, may also have impressed some with the idea that the spirit of our ancestry has departed from us. It is not strange, however, that from the multiplicity of interests, and the popular form of our government, difficulties have arisen, which should seem to war against the principles of free institutions. But if the hour should ever come, when it was to be decided whether our government should be longer supported, can we believe that those who are now politically opposed to each other, would be so insensible to the interests of every individual section of the country,-so ignorant of the value of our republic, as not to forget those sectional jealousies which now divide the nation, and rallying about the banner of liberty, aid in strengthening the fabric of our national union?

If any still entertain doubts respecting the perpetuity of our free institutions, we believe that they have mistaken the age in which they live. To our minds, these few considerations, and others which might be offered, have given an increase of confidence.

K.

THE GRAVE OF WAYNE.

ROLL high thy wave, Erie-thy hoarse-sounding surge
As it furiously breaks on thy shore,
Of a warrior's spirit is pealing the dirge,
For he sleeps in the sound of its roar.

And oft the dark Indian, as wary he'll tread
Thy hills 'neath the moon's sinking light,

Will think of his name, but remembered with dread,
And shrink in the shadows of night.

For strong was his arm the fierce savage to quell,
When murder and rapine and waste,
Were heard in the sound of the terrible yell,
That came on the rush of the blast.

But long undisturbed was the hero's repose,
Till the thunder of war o'er thy billow,
Was echoed along, and the sound as it rose,
Woke the warrior's shade from its pillow.

Then bright in the cloud that hung o'er the wave
With the laurel that Perry would gain,
Was victory seen, and the garland she gave,
To be wreathed by the spirit of Wayne.

And never was laurel round manlier brow,
By a manlier spirit entwined;

"Twill flourish while Erie's proud waters shall flow,
While shores shall the wide ocean bind.

But in vain is the patriot's pilgrimage there,
To break on the rest of the brave,

Or the earth that enwraps him bedew with a tear,
Or a wild flower bear from his grave.

No low bending willow weeps over the spot,
No moss-covered stone, where he lies,

Tells of him on whose memory lives not a blot,
And whose fame is enrolled in the skies.

Then swell thy wave, Erie! thy hoarse-sounding surge,
As it furiously breaks on thy shore,

Of a warrior's spirit is pealing the dirge,
For he sleeps in the sound of its roar.

A TALE OF MY LANDLORD.

It was some time past noon, when I came in view of a small settlement or village, situated on one of the tributary streams to the Arkansas river, in the northern part of the territory of the same name. The fall was far advanced, and the rays of an autumnal sun, fell with much brilliancy for the season on the irregular cluster of huts, that, from all appearances, had been temporarily erected at the junction of two public roads, which lead from different parts of the country to the "landing place" of the stream, whence the produce was conveyed to the river at a considerable distance. The dwellings were almost entirely constructed of logs, and covered with rived boards, which are there called "slabs," and which are secured by wooden pins in the place of nails.

On the angular point made by the meeting of the roads, stood a two story mansion, much more spacious than the habitations around it. It was built partly of sawn timber, and partly of the same materials with the others. To its exterior work had been given the gray hue of age, by the patterings of many storms, and time seemed to have been by no means sparing in his ravages. On the gable end swung by one hinge, which was formed from the sole of a cast off shoe, the shutter of a window; and the chimney was braced up nearly to an erect posture by numerous props and boards. That part of the mansion constructed of sawn timber contained a hall, about sixteen by twenty feet, which also served for a dining-room and bar-room; and a loft or second story, which was gained by a foot ladder. Adjacent to this was the bedroom, of not more than eight feet in width. In either end was a contrivance for a bedstead, made by first inserting between the logs a short pole, which formed, with the corner of the room, the base of a triangle; upon this were placed the ends of two others, parallel, extending quite across the width of the room, and there resting upon a cross-bar supported by two empty barrels. Upon these parallels were laid pieces of board, which were covered with buffalo skins. A couple of blankets, and two pieces of cloth, which I presume were intended for sheets, completed the bed and bedding. On the side of the wall nearly opposite the door, hung what was once a small looking-glass; but now not more than half could be seen, and a great portion of that could be seen through. This glass, two stools, which were also used, as occasion required, in the hall, and a table, was the furniture of the room.

This stately mansion was the lodging of strangers, who might chance to pass that way, and the resort of the settlers, where, the