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justice, and they will have but little reason to tremble and throw themselves into an attitude of violence at the changes constantly taking place in the military arrangements of other nations. They have a source of defence, additional to that of mere military preparations, of the very highest value. Saying nothing of the unseen, yet real protection of an overruling Providence, they are entitled to reckon among their means of defence the strong tower of public sentiment, a safeguard, which has hitherto been imperfectly understood, and too little relied on. What is it, that, amid the terrible convulsions of Europe, has preserved the diminutive republics of Cracow and San Marino, when mighty empires have been shaken and scattered around them? By what agency or power, have the peaceful Cantons of Switzerland been able to maintain their integrity and independence, when pressed on every side by standing armies and frowning battlements? It is not their cannon; it is not their soldiers. Their great defence is in the rectitude of their policy, and the favorable sentiment of other nations. They are enshrined in the affections of the world, and are safe. What is the foundation of the respectability and influence and security of the United States? Certainly not her army of six thousand men. It is the policy of Washington, the Proclamation of neutrality, freedom from jealousy of other nations, unfeigned love of justice and peace. It is these, and not embattled columns and "meteor flags," which constitute the corner-stone of her security and the foundation of her fame. Happy would it be, if this policy could become a prevalent one throughout the world, and if nations would plant themselves on their rectitude, and not on their powder magazines, and arm themselves with the shield of faith instead of the protection of military panoply. There is a deplorable want of moral confidence; or rath

nations, of political faith The nation, that will pu

er, applying the sentiment to
founded on political honesty.
rify its conscience, will at the same time dissipate its
fears; and will feel stronger in its rectitude, than it for-
merly did in its cannon. The happiness and glory of a
State do not depend

"On high-raised battlement, or labored mound,
"Thick wall, or moated gate;

but rather on the knowledge of rights, the spirit of justice, and a benevolent and magnanimous temper, which practically recognises the obligation of doing good to others as we desire them to do to ourselves.

PART THIRD.

CONGRESS OF NATIONS.

43

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