The Enquirer

SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

"Let me have the making of the NATIONAL SONGS " says some writer, "and you may make their LAWS."

Toasts, though they do not materially affect, do express, in a degree, the SENTIMENTS of a nation. They are the test, because they are the effusions, of principle or of feeling. Many a man, who floats most frequently upon the caps of the people, is with a few exceptions uppermost in their thoughts. And those maxims which flourish at the convivial board are generally in our hearts, before they mount to the lips.

It is under these impressions that we have carefully scanned the toasts which were drunk by the Republicans on the 4th of July. The examination has been a pleasing one: for here are certain TRAITS generally stamped upon them, which inspire us with new animation, because they prove, that however the Representatives may have flown from THEIR duties, the people are yet untainted and sound and true to themselves.

Besides those themes which are usually touched on such an occasion; themes, which so strongly address themselves to every generous mind, and which have never been more generally touched than on the recent festival; themes, which spring out of the Independence of our Country, and of that gratitude which is due to the heroes of the Revolution; there are some sentiments, flying from the occurrences of the times, which may be easily collected from these festivals.

The sentiments are, 1st a resolution to guard our independence at every risk; 2nd an unshrinking spirit, on the part of the people to guard their rights against maritime oppression; 3rd; a confidence in the firmness and virtues of the Executive; 4th. a contempt of the imbecility shewn by the 10th and 11th Congresses and a hope that the people will choose proper representatives, and that a NEW SPIRIT will animate the next Congress; 5th. a mistrust of the speechifying sheep shearer, our minister at London; 6th. a just commendation of the firmness and talents, with which our minister in France has resisted her unwarrantable conduct.

And this sentiment, which has been echoed and re-echoed with enthusiasm, proves, by the bye how much the Republicans are under the influence of France. Would, that we could say as much of the Federal toasts--and of the testimonies, which they ought to furnish, of the weakness of British influence in this Country. But very different is the result--and indeed so strong is the attachment of the Federalists of the Last to the cause of Britain, that Thomas T. Paine, a sort of Poet Laureat to the Essex Junto, in the Ode prepared for this occasion, fails not to chaunt a melancholy dirge over the few smuggling Americans who are caged up in the prisons of France, whilst he forgets to breathe a single murmur over the thousands of American Seamen now impressed in the ships of Britain!

Such, SIRS, ARE THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES!

It is understood, that at one of the imperial audiences at Paris, the Emperor addressed himself to count Demoutier, & required him to hold himself in readiness to sail for the United States in a week or ten days, without his family--but that in a short time, the count was found engaged as a commissioner in the negociation with the British, for the exchange of prisoners. Whether the mission is merely suspended or stopt altogether, is yet to be ascertained. It is believed, that the count was to have come out as Envoy Extraordinary--not to supersede gen. Turreau.

The Rambouillet Decree forbids us to enter the ports of France, &c.--But its assigned grounds are gone. The act of 1st March, 1809 has vanished---Thus, all the restrictions charged against us, in the preamble, are no more!