The good old home habits of our ancestors are
breaking up--it will be well if our virtue and our freedom do not
follow them! It is easy to laugh at such prognostics,--and we are well
aware that the virtue we preach is considered almost obsolete,--but
let any reflecting mind inquire how decay has begun in all republics,
and then let them calmly ask themselves whether we are in no danger,
in departing thus rapidly from the simplicity and industry of our
forefathers.
Nations do not plunge _at once_ into ruin--governments do not change
_suddenly_--the causes which bring about the final blow, are scarcely
perceptible in the beginning; but they increase in numbers, and in
power; they press harder and harder upon the energies and virtue of a
people; and the last steps only are alarmingly hurried and irregular.
A republic without industry, economy, and integrity, is Samson
shorn of his locks. A luxurious and idle _republic_! Look at the
phrase!--The words were never made to be married together; every body
sees it would be death to one of them.
And are not _we_ becoming luxurious and idle? Look at our steamboats,
and stages, and taverns! There you will find mechanics, who have left
debts and employment to take care of themselves, while they go to take
a peep at the great canal, or the opera-dancers.
Pages:
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172