ciples of government whenever the one shall be made known by the study of civil law and the other understood from the lights of philosophy. We see, too, the spirit of enquiry on these very subjects now awake, and many of the old governments are beginning to perceive that that crown only is safe which is worn by the consent of an intelligent and virtuous people; and while this revolution of principle is upturning some parts of the world, we must expect that the roots will adhere to their soil until the axe is sunk deep within them-for' the theory of mental revolutions as distinct from the sword, has not long been thought a practical one, even by the most observing, and now much labor mustbe performed before this idea shall become a practical one, one which the majority of men shall acknowledge and obey.

For these and other reasons we have long looked at the benevolent efforts of the friends of missions with much pleasure, and rejoiced in learning that the principles of the Gospel, which are peace, have been, and are taking hold of many a Pagan mind, with a practical force which will be felt more and more distinctly as the simple beauties of our holy religion shall be perceived by those who have been the slaves of passion and the worshippers of any and every thing, besides that Holy God who is the source of pure thought, the fountain of reason, and the dispenser of all the light-and blessing which surrounds us in this world, and the promiser of all that is beautiful and lovely, all that is peaceable and pure in that world of his immediate presence, to those who follow his precepts and accept of his offers.

These efforts to spread the light of the Gospel should be accompanied, or at least followed by similar efforts to enlighten the world in the science of govern ment, the science which teaches men and communities to govern themselves, and to cherish this immutable and invaluable truth, that we should do to others as we would that they should do to us; and we know of no better way to inculcate these truths than by personal efforts and voluntary associations for thepromotion of universal peace. The systems of government to a very great ex-tent must be changed, and in order to produce a lasting and happy result we must first obtain moral and intellectual light, and then communicate it to others. Theories, however plausable, must be carefully studied and their effects duly weighed, before they can be recommended with any degree of confidence, certainly before they should be adopted.

And unless we mistake the age in which we live, and the government which we delight to own, the great object can be obtained only by enlightening the mass of mind in our own country, and exhibiting to the world our, as yet im-perfect, example. The standard however is not now sufficiently elevated, as the members of the "American Peace Society" believe, since in the language of the first article of their constitution, they say that "the object of the Society shall Be to diffuse light respecting the evils of war, and the best means of effecting: its abolition." Thus they view the science of government striping it as they do of the necessity of resorting to war for the adjustment of national, fancied-or

real grievances. They discard all clanship for the purpose of war, and associate simply for the object which they have briefly declared, and this object they wish to gain, not by arms or power, but by inculcating the idea that nations as well as individuals should have all difficulties adjusted, according to the prinsciples of justice, while they abandon the ancient and singular mode that of wag ing individual or national BATTLĘ.

JAMES MONROE.

Few men have passed through life and closed with all that is earthly as has the late venerable Ex-President, James Monroe, who died in this city about 4 o'clock in the af ternoon of the 4th of July, the 55th anniversary of our National Independence, in the 73d year of his age.

Of the six Ex-Presidents of the United States three have died on the anniversary of our national birth day, and two of that number, who pledged all that is dear in life on that memorable occasion for the support of our national liberty, left the world on the same hallowed day.

All and each of these great men deserve well of their country, and whenever we or our children celebrate the day of our national birth, the names and character of Adams, Jefferson and Monroe, will not be forgotten since they have rendered THAT DAY even more memorable.

Mr. Monroe's has been an eventful and busy life, almost entirely employed in pubdic service. In the field, whilst a mere youth, he shed his blood for his country: and, with a no lesa zealous devotion to its interests, his best talents have ever since been exerted to promote them in the important stations of Member of Congress, Minister successively to France, Spain and Great Britain, for seven years Secretary of State, Secretary of War during the trying six months preceding the last peace, and lastly, for eight years, as President of the United States. In all these stations, he sus tained the reputation of purity and uprightness, and maintained his country's rights with firmness, diguity and ability; and he had the honor to retire from public life, after fifty years spent in the public service, poorer than he entered it. The evening of his life has been chequered with worldly troubles; but we have the satisfaction to know that its sun-set was serene and cloudless.

The awe which the presence of death always inspires, is peculiarly heightened when its victim is venerated on earth, and dear to the affections of a great people. The noble and the ignoble fali alike into the grave; the manly form that has braved the storm of battle, and has watched the midnight lamp, in the service of his country, changes and becomes the prey of worms in common with the vile and worthless. The grave is a levelier of all distinctions; none are so high, as to overstep its gates, none are so bumble, as to escape its bars.

Though pageantry may not be the natural and spontaneous choice of private grief, yet when a public benefactor dies, it is suitable and useful to give public demonstra tions of sorrow; and the country will count it a happy dispensation that one of her most eminent and valued sons breathed his last where splendid public honors might be paid alike in justice to his memory and in testimony of the general grief,