P,APERS OF °MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR 255 peal of outraged nations from the decisions of their tyrants to the God of battles. Their cause is the universal cause of man. Their object t·hc enjoyment of that constitutional liberty and Republican Government which the United States, by its example and influence, has morally guaranteed to all nations. And shall they in this vital strug- gle, in the common cause of mankind, receive no countenance, en- couragement, sympathy, or assistance 1 The government of the U States, as a government, is prohibited by the laws and policy of na- tions, from interfering in the internal conflicts of a foreign country, \\·hatever be the merits of the controversy. If, therefore, they are to receive any assistance from the people of the United States, it must be from them as individuals. It is natural that the people of Texas should turn their eyes towards this country in their hour of trial and danger. Not more natural is it for the heart of the fond and indulged child to revert "when his feat cometh'' to those parents whom he then, if never before, feels to have been his best friends, and that home in which he was reared in safety and comfort, from infancy to manhood. Such an appeal has been made by the citizens of Texas to the people of the United States-their friends, relations and country- men. They were Americans when they left us, and are still Ame1·i- cans in interest, feeling, and princjple. . Already has their call been favorably responded to, both to the N'orth and the South of us. In the cities of New York and New Orleans, in Kentucky and in Al~bama, Public Meetings have been held, encouraging and sympathysing resolutions have been passed, funds have been raised, and volunteers have gone forth to their assistance. .And shall Tennessee-par excellence, the land of chival1·y and freedom -do nothing in this great and common cause of human rights and liberty 1 Yes, fellow citizens! We have at least raised our voice in behalf of our countrymen and the important principles for which they are· contendiug. Even this is of vast consequence; for nothing so much inspires communities, as well as individuals, with that moral courage and virtuous resolution, which almost ensures success in any cause, as to find their conduct approved and applauded. But let us do more. Let us open a subscription and raise funds for the cause. Money is the sinew of war. Every dollar is now important, and will be ten fold refunded as soon as the contest is over. Let us, by otlr contribu- tions and exertions, stir up an interest and a feeling on the subject, and thus induce enterprising and unemployed young men to pro-ceed to their assistance. But what, it may be asked, are the inducements to do so? To which it may be answered, every inducement that can be offered for men to engage in any human enterprise. In the first place, to the cause of struggling liberty, 111 any part of the world. however remote the age or distant the country, we cannot as freemen, as Americans, as Tennesseans, feel indifferent. Evlm yet we read with glowing feelings the defence of Greece by Leonidas, though ages have elapsed since the deathless Spartan, with his immortal band, braved the count- less hosts of Persia. And in modern times we sympathise still more warmly with the same people, in their revolutionary struggle to force themselves from the galling yoke of Turkish bondage. [Who] has
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