THE CHURCH THE KINGDOM OF PERSUASION.--- Lacordair o

In the midst of universal change, the Church still persuades, and her astonished enemies, not being able to comprehend her existence, amuse themselves by prophesying her death. Like the dust which insults the passing traveller, this age, in ruin, outrages the eternity of the Church, and does not perceive that her immobility itself is proof of her strength.

2. Elevated in the world by a persuasion of eighteen centuries, upon an antiquity of four thousand years, the Catholic Church is invincible, because that which she has been able to accomplish everywhere she is able to do always. That which is universal is perpetual, as that which is infinite is eternal. For nothing can become universal in humanity but that which has a necessary connection with the nature of man; and as the nature of man does not change, that which has a necessary connection with it is also unchanging. If a persuasion as long in duration and as widely spread as that which the Catholic Church founded could perish in the human mind, it would be the same with human

reason.

3. What would a reality be if such a reality were only an illusion? For what say the last adversaries, the present adversaries of the Church? They maintain that man's reason is a continual progress in which each new idea destroys the old, where there is nothing stable and absolute, where everything is destined to perish save that marvellous faculty which gives a moment's life to that which must necessarily perish. They thus

confess the nothingness of their hopes and of their reason, which is but a passage through sepulchres in which it leaves a little ashes. But, as said Bossuet, "this miserable lot is not assured to them;" the Church is living even in the heart of their predictions; the human race, which has hoped so much, will never accept so much despair!

VINDICATION OF SPAIN. (PRONOUNCED DURING THE DEBATE ON THE SEMINOLE WAR, IN CONGRESS, 1819.)Hopkinson.

Permit me, sir, to express my regret and decided disapprobation of the terms of reproach and contempt. in which this nation has been spoken of on this floor; "poor, degraded Spain," has resounded from various parts of the house. Is it becoming, sir, the dignity of a representative of the American people to utter, from his high station, invectives against a nation with whom we cultivate and maintain the most friendly relations? Is it discreet, sir, in an individual, however enlightened, to venture upon a denunciation of a whole people?

2. In this poor, degraded Spain, it must be remembered, there is a vast mass of learning, and genius, and virtue, too; and a gentleman, who passes it all under his condemnation and contempt, hardly considers what a task he has undertaken. No people has suffered more than ourselves by these exterminating, sweeping judg ments. Let us not be guilty of the same injustice to others. When I see one of these scribbling travellers, or insignificant atoms, gravely take upon himself to put

down the character of my own country, I turn from him with disgust and derision.

3. Let us be equally just to others. This at least is not the place for the indulgence of national prejudices or resentments. A regard for ourselves forbids it. May I add, sir, that, in reference to the weakness of Spain, we should characterize her, perhaps more justly, certainly more liberally, by saying exhausted, rather than degraded Spain. Yes, sir, exhausted in a contest for existence with a tremendous power, under which every other nation of Europe, save one, sunk and fell. Sho bore herself through with inflexible perseverance; and, if she came out of the conflict enfeebled and exhausted, it is no cause of reprcach or contempt.

4. We talk of a war with Spain as a matter of amusement. I do not desire to partake of it. It will not be found a very comfortable war, not from her power to do so much harm, but from the impossibility of gaining anything by it, or of wearing out her patience, or subduing her fortitude. The history of every Spanish war, is a history of immovable obstinacy, that seems to be confirmed and hardened by misfortune and trial. In her frequent contests with England, the latter, after all her victories, has been the first to desire peace.

5. Let gentlemen not deceive themselves about the pleasantry of a Spanish war, May they not, sir, have some respect for the past character of this nation? The time has been, when a Spanish knight was the type of everything that was chivalrous in valor, generous in honor, and pure in patriotism. A century has hardly gone by, Gince the Spanish infantry was the terror of Europe,

and the pride of soldiers. But those days of her glory are past. Where, now, is that invincible courage; that noble devotion to honor; that exalted love of country? Let me tell you, in a voice of warning; they are buried in the mines of Mexico, and the mountains of Peru. Beware, my countrymen; look not with so eager an eye to these fatal possessions, which will also be the grave of your strength and virtue, should you be so unfortunate as to obtain them.

THE SOUTH. EXTRACT FROM MR. HAYNE'S SPEECH IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, 1830.

If there be one State in the Union, Mr. President, (and I say it not in a boastful spirit,) that may challenge comparison with any other for a uniform, zealous, ardent, and uncalculating devotion to the Union, that State is South Carolina. Sir, from the very commencement of the revolution up to this hour, there is no sacrifice, however great, she has not cheerfully made; no service she has ever hesitated to perform. She has adhered to you in your prosperity; but in your adversity, she has clung to you with more than filial affection. No matter what was the condition of her domestic affairs, though deprived of her resources, divided by parties, or surrounded by difficulties, the call of the country has been to her as the voice of God. Domestic discord ceased at the sound, every man became at once reconciled to his brethren, and the sons of Carolina were all seen crowding together to the temple, bringing their gifts to the altar of their common country.

2. What, sir, was the conduct of the South during the revolution? Sir, I honor New England for her conduct in that glorious struggle. But great as is the praise which belongs to her, I think at least equal honor is due to the South. They espoused the quarrel of their brethren with a generous zeal, which did not suffer tnem to stop to calculate their interest in the dispute. Favorites of the mother country, possessed of neither ships nor seamen to create commercial rivalship, they might have found in their situation a guarantee that their trade would be for ever fostered and protected by Great Britain. But, trampling on all considerations, either of interest or of safety, they rushed into the conflict, and, fighting for principle, periled all in the sacred cause of freedom.

3. Never was there exhibited in the history of the world, higher examples of noble daring, dreadful suffering, and heroic endurance, than by the Whigs of Carolina, during the revolution. The whole State, from the mountains to the sea, was overrun by an overwhelming force of the enemy. The fruits of industry perished on the spot where they were produced, or were consumed by the foe. The "plains of Carolina" drank up the most precious blood of her citizens! Black and smoking ruins marked the places which had been the habitations of her children! Driven from their homes into the gloomy and almost impenetrable swamps, even there the spirit of liberty survived, and South Carolina, sustained by the example of her Sumpters and her Marions, proved by her conduct, that though her soil might be overrun, the spirit of her people was invincible.