This newspaper captures a moment in American history when Texas was independent, slaves toiled in the south, and some of the great questions about what America was to become were still being asked. Coming from a strong Protestant, temperance, abolitionist viewpoint the Connecticut Observer freezes this moment from the perspective of a New England that did not yet appreciate Emerson, and derided non-traditional Protestantism as well as Roman Catholicism

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The Constitutional Question (excerpt)

"At the commencement of the present century there was a colony inhabiting a tract of country of extreme fertility and great extent, bordering on our Southern and South Western frontier. Its population was sparse and remote from government to which it owed allegiance. It was consequently badly governed, illy protected, and sometimes troublesome to its neighbors. Resembling in this respect, the border country embraced by 'the Plan of Union.' To remedy the evils, consequent upon their exposed condition, the sagacious Jefferson, then President of these United States, discovered an expedient by which the welfare and happiness of that people, as well as our own border settlements might be promoted, and that by a 'Plan of Union,' to unite them to the United States. Accordingly a minister was dispatched to France, to carry it into effect, whose mission resulted in the treaty of Louisiana. But when this treaty was presented to the Senate of the United States for ratification, there was a distinguished member present (John Quincy Adams) who opposed it. He admitted the great benefit, both to the colonists and this nation, which would result from it, but denied the constitutional authority to make it. He called upon the Senate to show in the constitution authority to acquire either by purchase or conquest, a country, and force our government and laws upon its inhabitants without their consent. The 'Plan of Union' had been agreed upon and signed in Paris - the people of Louisiana had not been consulted, and consequently had never given their assent to it."

This article goes on for an additional 19cm to show that this constitutional defect could be used by a majority party to throw out the congressional delegations from states formed from the Louisiana Purchase.

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Be careful what you suffer to come into contact with your mind - (excerpt)

"There is true philosophy, as well as conscientious piety in the following quotation:

'I am really afraid to read Spencer's Fairy Queen. He is in fancy superior perhaps, to every poet, yet so luscious in some of his representations, which I have casually dipped upon, that is impossible, for me at least, to advert to them, without catching contagion. His pictures of this sort are drawn with a good design. He makes his heroes, victors of the soft allurements. But I believe few minds are so case-hardened against sensual pleasure, as not to receive disadvantageous impressions. I am therefore determined never to look into it again, never to gather the honey of poetry from the briers of contamination. 'Flee temptation,' is the advice of an inspired apostle, and I will pay it due regard."

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Truth Will Out. (excerpt)

Messrs. Editors -

In a late Trumpet, under the caption of 'Universalist Congregations,' the following sentence, which is too true to be lost, may be found.

"When people for the first time attend a Universalist church, it seems strange to them; it is hard to bring them to believe it is a place of public worship, because there is no sadness no groanings, no dejected countenances.'

Who that attend the meeting of those who preach the 'real doctrine', that all men, live as they will, are bound for the kingdom, will dispute this quotation from the editor of the Trumpet. Why, reader, when sage fathers of modern Universalism, with a distorted visage and airy flourish, laugh to scorn the prevailing doctrine of future retribution; when they labor to ridicule this essential item of theology, till a shock of laughter pervades the whole assembly, find it 'hard to believe it is a place of worship.' Truly has the apt editor said of such - 'it seems strange to them.' ...

... How can the libertine, the oppressor, or the unprincipled worldling feel sad, since, in a 'few short days of evil past,' he will gain admittance within the pearly gates of Zion's happy city, there with angel Gabriel, to sound the highest notes of praise."

(The mid section of this piece has been omitted )

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The Circus. - (excerpt)

"We do not intend to let this subject, and other kindred to it sleep, even amid the rejoicing at their momentary withdrawal from our streets. Nothing should satisfy this community but a decree of eternal seclusion from the city of their demoralizing exhibitions. The people of Buffalo, it appears, have come understand this subject. The city authorities have resolved to allow no such nuisances there in future. - Sooner or later, unless sin is destined to reign here unto death, the same stand must be taken in Cleveland"

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Gen. Macomb and the Pope.- (excerpt)

"We lately noticed the fact, stated in an editorial article of the National Gazette, that General Macomb, 'the Commander in Chief of the army of the United States,' at a public 'celebration,' gave a toast, "The health of the Pope, and prosperity to the Roman Catholic religion.' From the following extract from a subsequent number of the Gazette, we suspect that the General's Roman Catholic friends,' whom he was so anxious to please by such 'unusual' liberality, begin to fear that he has gone a step beyond the bounds of propriety, and has unwittingly injured the cause which he wished to promote. We trust the American people are not yet prepared to hear with approbation or even indifference, 'prosperity to the Roman Catholic religion,' and consequently the destruction of Protestantism, which is at the foundation of all our civil and religious liberty, publically pledged by men high in official station."

Following this is 7cm of text taking General Macomb to task for being less than catholic in his well wishes for religion.

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English Mail Coaches. (excerpt)

"The English stage coach is the perfect thing of this kind, and very different in construction from our own. The wheels are small and very strong. The body of the coach is quite small, and seats only four inside, two on the front seat and two behind. Directly behind the body of the coach is an apartment of considerable size for the most valuable baggage, closed with a strong door and locked. On top there are four seats, two in front and two behind. That on which the coachman sits is for three, the other three seats four each. Between the front seats and the other are placed the trunks, &c. on the top, directly above the heads of the inside passengers. The price of an inside seat is double that which is paid for one without. The guard occupies the end of the hindermost seat on the left side. All the much travelled roads in England are macadamized. ..."

This article continues an additional 7cm describing the roads &c.

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