democracy of America we are compelled to throw the blame of an inactivity, and a cruel indifference, as unnatural and uncongenial as it is mischievous. strength of the navy would be trebled, the troops would furbish up their bayonets-the people would throng the parks and market places to hear military orations—the inLet us imagine for a moment, that neither truding foreign power would be notified, our clothes nor our opinions came to us that, as the American Union was originally from abroad; that, in a word, we were founded upon a compact of many indethoroughly independent of foreign com- pendent sovereignties, and existed solely by merce, and could not only supply ourselves, the continued recognition of State individubut all the world, with the luxuries and alities and liberties, according to the laws necessities of life. Let us suppose that of nations, compact or no compact,-it the Abolition party of New-England did felt itself bound to enforce that law upon not exist, or did not look to foreign lec- this continent, as it hoped for salvation, turers to propagate their doctrines, and that and desired the respect and friendship of Southern slaveholders, those champions of the world; and that, all things considered, the rights of individual States, those testy without any farther examination of treaties, guardians of sovereignties, did not look to it was decidedly the best policy, and the a foreign power to sustain their withdraw-safest for both parties, that the free States of al from the Union. With what a shout the North American Continent should not be of execration would they have received the news of the seizure of the naval station of Rotan, midway between New-Orleans and the Isthmus, and of the establishment of a new British protectorate in Central America, and over the Isthmus State of Costa Rica! With what a violent military enthusiasm would not the entire martial population of the South and West be affected! Newspapers would teem with exhortations to the Government, petitions would flow in upon Congress, hundreds of thousands of volunteers would register their names at Washington for the defence of the Isthmus, the seized upon by foreigners; and that, too, with the highest consideration and esteem, and at your earliest convenience,-phrases at once diplomatic and business-like. But these, alas! are the sentiments of '76, and in days of railroads laid with foreign iron, and laws based on foreign opinion, they fall flat and tame upon the ears of an enlightened Democracy. American honor has grown gray, and lives retired, while American shame builds palaces on the shores of the Atlantic, and with his merchant navies wafts away to England the profits and the honor of the people. SONNET, AMBITIOUS TO FILL A BLANK IN THE WHIG REVIEW. PEOPLE talk Sentiment, but do they live it? The lips are echoes of the mocking heart, From its dark chambers-they are first to give it. Oh, our two natures--they are rank deceivers, The inward Counsellor, the outward Act- The gilded Sentiment, the iron Fact Befooling all but practised unbelievers. True wisdom this-doubt the fair words of men, Hear promises, advice, with cautious ears; Being deceived, be not deceived again, Through an obsequious world, attendant at your side. |