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The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

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crossing seas, and exhausting <strong>the</strong>ir treasures,<br />

caused <strong>the</strong> heralds to proclaim in a general<br />

assembly that <strong>the</strong> Roman people restored all <strong>the</strong><br />

cities to <strong>the</strong>ir liberty, and desired to reap no o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

fruit from her victory than <strong>the</strong> noble pleasure <strong>of</strong><br />

doing good to nations, <strong>the</strong> bare remembrance <strong>of</strong><br />

whose ancient glory sufficed to endear <strong>the</strong>m to <strong>the</strong><br />

Romans? <strong>The</strong> description <strong>of</strong> that immortal day can<br />

hardly be read without tears, and without being<br />

affected by a kind <strong>of</strong> enthusiasm <strong>of</strong> esteem and<br />

admiration.<br />

“Had this deliverance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Græcian states<br />

proceeded merely from a principle <strong>of</strong> generosity,<br />

void <strong>of</strong> all interested motives; had <strong>the</strong> whole tenor<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> conduct <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Romans never belied such<br />

exalted sentiments,-- nothing could possibly have<br />

been more august, or more capable <strong>of</strong> doing honor<br />

to a nation. But, if we penetrate ever so little<br />

beyond this glaring outside, we soon perceive that<br />

this specious moderation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Romans was<br />

entirely founded upon a pr<strong>of</strong>ound policy; wise<br />

indeed, and prudent, according to <strong>the</strong> ordinary rules<br />

<strong>of</strong> government, but, at <strong>the</strong> same time, very remote<br />

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