The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1828-07-17

Earth, aud Sub(ue II. 10 supuue lnt
Earth was, therefore, ore oi The hrss du
ties assigned TO man at his creations and
go IN his fallen condition, II remains a
monr the most excellent oi his oceupa
tions. 10 subdue the earth ls pre- emi
nently the purpose of the undertaking,an
10 the Accomplishment OF which the htst
stroke of the spade Is now 20 be struck.
That it is struck by tins hand, invite you
TO wltness---t Here the stroke OF the
spade *--ond in performing thus act, eau
upon you all To join me IN iervcnt supPhea
tio,, To- Him from whom that primitive m
junction came, that he would follow with
his blessing this Joint effort oi our great
community. to perioIm his will in the sub.
,in6atlon oil the Earth for the Improvement
ofihs condi,ion OF man. That be would
make il enc of his chosen instruments for
the preservation. prosperity and Pe,Pesal,
~ of our Union. That he woaid have an
hls holy keeping all the r.orkmen by whoss
labors It is 10 De completed. That their
lives and their health may be prseious IN
his silht; and that they may i've 10 see
The work OF their hands eoo'rioaSe 10 the
romroFea and enJOymenI..1si "'"oas oi
their countrymen.
Friends aud Brethren: Permit ne fur.
ther ~ say, that | deem the duty, now,
uayiorned at the request oi the PRESIDENT
and Directors of the Chesapeake sud onlo
Canal Company, and OF the Corporations
of the District Of Colombia, one of the
most fortunate incidents OF my lile.--
ThonIh not among the functions OF my of,
fetal station, esteem II AS privilege
conferred upon me by nay fellow cIti2ens
Cfthc District. Called, IN the perform
uncc Of my service heretofore as one OF
the Representatives. Of my native common
wealth IN the Senate, aud now as mem
her Of the Executive Department OF the
Government, my abode has been among
the inhabitants Ofths District longer than
at any other spot upon earth In ayallIng
myself Of this occasion 10 return to them
iny thanks for The numborless acts OF kind
ness have experienced at their hands,
may be allowed to assign 1t as a motive
operating upon the heart, and super added
10 mtoEclal obligations Tor taking a deep
interest in their welfare and prosperity.
Among the prospects Of futurity which VIC
may indulge the rational hope Of seeing
realized by this junction Of distant waters,
that of the auspicious influence which 1t
will exercise over the fortunes Of every
portion Of the District, is one unon which
my mind dwells with unqualified pleasure
Il is my earnest prayer that they may not
be disappointed.
lt was observed that the first step to-
wards the accomplishment Of the glorious
dcstnic9 of our country was tho Dcclara-
ton of independence. That the second
was the union of these States under our
Federative Government. The third is ir-
rcvOcubly fixed by the act upon the com
mencement of which we are now engaged.
What time more suitable for this operation
could have been selected than the ANN
Versary of our great National Festival
What place more appropriate from whence
- proceed. than that which bears the name
OF the Citizen warrior who led our armies
IN that evontul contcst 10 the field, and
who first presided az the Chief Magistrate
OF on. Union? You knoW that of this very
undertaking, he was one of the first pro
jectors; aud it, in the world of Spirits, the
affections Of our mortal existence still re-
tam their sway, may we not, without pre-.
sunption, iniarinc that he looks down with
comp!acrncy and delight upon the scene
before and around us?
Bat while inlulging sentiment Of JOY
oua exuhation, at the benefits to be derrv
cd from this labor of our friends and neigh
hors. let us not forget that tho spirit of in
We hone and believe that its practice al
vanta res will b. extended 10 every indlvid
nal in oar Union. In praying for the 5icss
ing Of Heaven upon our task, we ask
with equal zeal and sincerity upon ever
other similar work in this confederation
and particularly upon that which, on thl
aaine day, and perhaps at this very. hour, /
commencing from neighborlng city,
L. It, , ~ han pet r. IN N
vast principle of lnternal improvement
that the success of one great enterprise
instead sf couuteracting, gives assistapc
go the exec ution of another. May the
increase and muitgly, I'LL in the snb.s;n
hryuege of inspiration, every valley sha
br exalted, and every mountain and hl
plall be- made low; the crooked straigh
tho rough places plain. Thus shall th
prediction Of the Bishop of CIoyue be COZ
vnr,c from phophecv into history, and j
}hc Virtues and fortunes of our postert,
She last shall prove the noblest Empire {
Time.
As the President concluded, nationr
salute was fred by detachment OF u.
Artillery posted upon the ground.
Thus ended the most delightful con
memotation of this cventful dny. that W
have ever Witnessed, and thus auspiclou,
ly beran the work upon the Chesapeak
and OHIO Canal.
Attending this action was an inedei
which produced n greater sensation than an
other that occurred during tho day I'll
spnde which the President held, struck
root. which prevented its penetrating u
earth Not deferred hv trining obs,acl
from doing what he had deliberately resolve
~ pertprm, MIR Adams tried it again, wi
10 hcttrr success..-Thrs foiled. he thre
Down the spads, hastily stripped of and la
de his cont. aud went seriously u p0t