decline. Exactly; but why should that ancient government have declined at all? Why, if the people were happy under their laws, should it not have continued in its glory until the present time, -not only retaining its glory as it then was, but gaining new laurels, and acquiring new fame; not the glory of military achievements, but that which avails a rapidly progressing, happy and peaceful nation ?

Let us now turn from the contemplation of these unhappy states, to that of modern laws. In doing this, let us first view the spirit in which they were conceived and formed. In referring to modern laws and customs, I shall principally take for my example those of the United States, as being strictly modern in all their operations, and only slightly touch those of the governments of Europe; for many of them do not contain in their elements the true spirit of liberty. Yet they will bear, at the present time, comparison with their state when the people were mostly serfs or bond-men to feudal lords, and governed by a thousand petty tyrants. But to return. Our modern laws are based upon these self-evident truths, "that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and that to

secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." These were the unalienable rights, the framers of our constitution mutually pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honors, to sustain; and our laws are framed with this object.

This end has been accomplished; that peace and happiness are secured to the people, it requires no searching of the records of the historic volume to show; but I refer you to your own experience; to the scenes that each day meet the eye; to the pages of every newspaper with which our country abounds. Among those laws which serve most effectually to promote our happiness, are those which secure to us the right of universal suffrage, trial by jury, and religious freedom. On the benefits of religious freedom it is unnecessary to dwell. This was one of the grand objects, to obtain which our forefathers crossed the ocean, and made the wilderness their home; preferring to worship God in a conscientious manner, and be happy in the desert, to worshipping him as others dictated. In ancient governments, their religious and superstitious observances were closely connected with the laws, and to the ruler was often given religious supremacy. It was even customary to deify them, thus making ob

jects of worship of men of the worst description and habits.

But our institutions are different; we worship in whatever form and manner we please, thus securing to ourselves a means of obtaining happiness. Our God is God, and our worship of him is the voluntary tribute of a grateful heart.

One of our greatest privileges and most inestimable rights, is that of universal suffrage, by which we secure to ourselves liberty, that which is of all things the most precious. Our people are here truly represented, not by life representatives, who after a time represent the people or not, as they choose; but as often as the people acquire new principles, so are they represented by their delegates. But it is unnecessary to enlarge on this. There never was among the governments of old, one where the people were so perfectly represented as they are in our own; and therefore one great cause why our laws are more conducive to public happiness than ancient laws.

There is one other feature of our present time, which it is especially needful to mention: it is that law which secures to all the benefits of education. A law more conducive to public happiness than this can scarcely be imagined.

Since our country was first settled, this has

been an object of special attention in our legislative halls. And what is the result? No other nation ever so rapidly progressed in all that tends to make a people happy and respected at home and abroad.

Commerce and the fine arts have here progressed as in no other country. It is comparatively but few years since our vast extent of territory was a trackless wilderness, inhabited by the roving Indian. It is but little more than threescore years since we became free and independent. Yet in this short time we have so rapidly advanced, that we hold no secondary rank in the scale of nations; and one of the best proofs of the happiness secured to the people by our laws, is seen in the thousands that flock here to seek under our modern laws, that happiness they cannot find under their own forms of gov

ernment.

YOUTH VERSUS MANHOOD.

IT has been asserted by some one, (Gibbon, I believe,) that "the common opinion, that youth experiences more happiness than manhood, is wrong." I still hold to the old opinion, that youth is the happiest period of life; for the very nature of the circumstances of Youth and Manhood, would seem to deny the truth of his position. The young child seems to have no other resource than enjoyment, as all care is taken off its mind by the kindness of the parents; or if its fair brow is rendered gloomy by some petty occurrence, it is like a cloud for a moment intercepting the rays of the smiling sun, which scarce casts its shadow ere it is gone, and all is bright and beautiful as before. The light heart of youth never suffers sorrow long; but, ever full of buoyancy, the merry laugh soon dispels every trace of unhappiness. In the youth, almost every thing excites curiosity and wonder. To a man, even, any new discovery is a matter of happiness; how great then must be the happiness of the youth, to whom almost every object he sees or meets is a new subject for his ever-busy