Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-12-16
Fello,r- Citizens ofthe Senate
and House of ReDresent1fiyes.

pSSh iSHc"Cu lor the tWenty-SecoHu
time since the constitution they formed
has been in force. For near half CEN
fury, the chief magistrates, who have
been successfully chosen have made their
annual communications of the state of the
nation to Representatives. Generally,
these communications have been of the
most gratifying nature, testifying an adj
vance in all the improvements of social,
and all the securities of political life
But frequently, and justly, as you have
been called on to be grateful for the
bounties of Providence, at few periods
have they been more abundantly orexten-
sively bestowed than at the present: rare
ly, if ever, have we had greater reason to
congratulate each other on the continu-
ed and increasing prosperity of our be-
loved country.
Agriculture, the first and most impor-
tant occupation of man, has compensat-
ed the labors of the husbandman with
plentiful crops of all the varied products
ofour extensive country. Manufactures
have been established, in which the
funds ofthe capitalist find a profitable
investment. and which give employment
and subsistence to numerous and in
creasing body of industrious and dexter
Gus mechanics. The laborer is reward
ed by high wages, in the construction OF
works of internal improvement, which
are extending with unprecedented rap
adity. Science is steadily penetrating
the recesses of nature and disclosing her
secrets, while the ingenuity offree minds
is subjecting the elements to the power
of man, and making each new conquest
auxiliary to his comfort. Bv our mails,
whose speed is regularly increased, and
whose routes are every year extended
the communication ofpublic intelligence
and private business is rendered frequent
and safe-the intercourse between dis
tant cities, which it formerly required
weeks to accomplish, is now effected in
few days; and in the construction of
railroads, and the application of steam
power, we have a reasonable prospect
that the extreme parts of our country
will be SO much approximated, and those
most insulated nv the obstacles of nature.
rendered so accessible as to remove an
apprehension sometimes entertained that
the great extent of the Union would en-
danger its permanence.
If, from the satisfactory view of our
agriculture, manufactures, and internal
improvements, we turn to the state -four
navigation and trade with foreign ma
tons and between the States, we shall
scarcely find less cause for graduation.
A beneficent Providence has provided,
for their exercise and encouragement
an extensive coast indented by capacious
bays, noble rivers, inland seas, with a
country productive of every meterial for
ship building and every commodity for
gainful commerce, and filled with pom
ulation, active, intelligent, well informed.
and fearless of danger. These advantages
are not neglected and an impulse has
lately been given to commercial enter
prise, which fills our ship yards with
new constructions, encourages all the arts
and branches ofindustry connected with
them, crowds the wharves of our cities
with vessels, and covers the most distant
seas with our canvass.
Let us be grateful for these blessings
tothe benefcent Being who has conferr-
ed them, and who suffers US to indulge a
ICdSuudDlG uOp VI tilClI continuance ana
extension, while we neglect not the
means by which they may be preserved.
If we may dare to Judge Of His future
designs by the manner in which his past
fayors have been bestowed, he has made
our national prosperity to depend on the
preservation of our liberties-our nation
alforce on our federal union-and our in
dividual happiness on the maintenance
ofour State rights and wise institutions.
Ii we are prosperous at home, and re-
spected abroad, it is because we are free,
united, industrious and obedient to the
laws. While we continue so, we shall
by the blessing of Heaven, 60 on in the
happy career we have begun, and which
has brought us, in the short period of
our political existence, from population
Of three to thirteen mllons-from tbir-
teen separate Colonies to twenty four
u. States--from weakness TO STRENGTH
from rank scarcely marked in the
scale Of Nations to a high place in
their respect.
This last advantage is one that has re-.
suited, in great degree, from the prin-
ciples which have guided our intercourse
with foreign Powers, since we have as
sumed an equal station among them !:
and hence, the annual account which
the Executive renders to the country. of
the manner in which that branch of his
duties has been fulfilled, proves instruc.
five and saIutary.