It is so much the custom for editors of works like
this, to make an occasional stop and hold a little familiar chat with their
patrons, that I might be supposed to want due respect for the numerous
readers of Weekly Register if I were to omit an observance of it.
The existing state of things, as well as the “prospect
before us,” is most happy for the American people. The republic,
reposing on the laurels of a glorious war (the war of 1812), gathers the
rich harvest of an honorable peace. Everywhere the sound of the axe
is heard, opening the forest to the sun claiming for agriculture the range
of the buffalo. Our cities grow and towns rise up as by magic; commerce
expands her proud sails in safety, and the “striped bunting” floats with
majesty over every sea….The lord of the soil, who recently deserted the
plow to meet the enemies of his country on its threshold and dispute the
possession, has returned in quiet to his fields, exulting that the republic
lives, and in honor! The hardy hunter, whose deadly rifle lately
brought the foeman to the earth, has resumed his former life, and, in the
trackless forest employs the same weapon, with unerring aim, to stop the
fleet deer in his course. Plenty crowns the works of peace with the
abundance, and scatters from her cornucopia all the good things of this
life, with prodigal (generous) bounty.
A high and honorable feeling generally prevails,
and the people begin to assume, more and more, a national character; and
to look at home for the only means, under divine goodness, of preserving
their religion and liberty with all the blessings that flow from their
unrestricted enjoyment. The “bulwark” of these is in the sanctity
(holiness) of their principles, and the virtue and valor of these who profess
to love them, and need no guarantee form the bloodstained and profligate
(immoral) princes and powers of Europe. Morality and good order ever
prevail-canting hypocrisy has but few advocates, for the Great Architect
of the universe is worshipped on the altar of men’s hearts, in the way
that each believes most acceptable to Him…
The progress of our country population, wealth,
and resources is without parallel. The census of 1820 will give us
not less than 10,000,000 people, of which a large and unexpected portion
will be found westward of the Alleghenies, having emigrated from the East,
with a tripled proportion of wealth and resources compared with what they
were in 1810, the “calamities of the war” notwithstanding. The great
ease with which a livelihood is obtained in the republic will continue
a like increase of the first for many generations, and the others will
go on with geometrical ratio. And much assistance to each may be
expected from the war-worn Europeans, seeking a place of rest from oppression
and chains. It is hardly possible to imagine, with any degree of
certainty, the value annually created by the recently applied industry
of the people to manufactures, aided by the various labor-saving machinery
adapted to large institutions or household establishments. We are
friendly to the former to a given extent, but it is on the latter that
we chiefly rely to accomplish a sublime (noble) independence of the New
World….
Let us then, fellow citizens, cherish our republican
institutions, and hold up as “objects for scorn to point her slow unmoving
finger at” anyone that would jeopardize them, or bring them into disrepute.
We have a strong monarchial partly among us, whose principle is imported
form England, that must be carefully watched. Let us recollect the
sayings of the sage (wise person) who declared that he who gives up essential
liberty to purchase temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor disposition
in our mind as a part of existence that these United States are, of God
and by our right, free, sovereign and independent; and in this persuasion,
also feel a determination to obey the injunction (command) of Washington,
“and frown indignantly on the first drawing of an attempt to alienate one
portion of our county from the rest, or to enfeeble (weaken) the sacred
ties that now link together the various parts.
Questions to Think About
1. Why does Niles think that prospects are "most happy for the American people"?
2. Give four examples from the readings that would increase nationalism
throughout the United States of America.