The Yazoo Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1842-05-13
81. AN ADDRESS,
ON THE
Western Country.
DELIVERED BY MR.. r, ABBEY, BEFORE THE
YAZOO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION,
April the 2sth. 18Aa.


April the 25th, 1842.
Mr.. Presidet and Gentlemen
The eye Of the world never ceases TO con-
template the rise, growth and extension of
governments. Public polity and civil iuris-
diction form the great charter and bnlwark
of social life, and when properly directed,
give force and efficiency to the growth Of
empire.
That Greece and Rome became great a.
mOngst the family of Nations-that they gretO
up from colonial insignifcance to the exer-
ciee Of immense power in the world, stands
out in bold relief upon the title page Of histo-
nv. In tracing up the lives of nations, we
inadvertently, at every interval, note their
progress, and mark with interest each epoch
thai gives evidence Of remarkable increase
Of population, power and influence; and
when that influence is found in the scale of
public virtue, tending to secure the civil and
social rights of man, who does not feel the
swelling emotions of pleasure as he reads,
that such a nation grew rapidly in stature,
. swaying with a stouter and still stouter arm
the sceptre Of her authority as well the friend
of weaker allies as a terror to her enemies!
Had Greece in the days of Themistocles,
lacked the national strength to beat back the
mighty invasion Of the great king, the civil
Ized world would have lamented it to this
dav. And had the great Carthagenian war
rior been able to continue and complete his
triumphs in Italy, and Rome fallen prey to
his revenge, it seems almost that it would
have made dark spotin the worlds history /.
There is something in mere grandeur and
greatness that commends itself to our feel
inRs; and nothing but an improper use of
mower can make US cease to admire State as
4 tofa in nd
this laudable admiration is excited stillhigh-
er when the nerves of national prowess are
seen invigorated in youth-wheh manhood
nantes. as il were, upon the brow offender
wears, and when, like Scipio, before she is oil
age, goes forth amongst the nations, the pa
tFon and protector of civil and religious IL
berty.
Feelings and sentiments like these have
eprunr 10 in the minds of millions of liberia
minded men, and have held in astonishmenl
the ewes Of millions more, in every cline and
hemisbhere Of the earth, even beyond the
fooistepsof civilization, who have witnessed
the rising glory and rapid expansion Of Oul
youthful, but great Republic. And those
who have taken anearer view OF her interna
and geographical proportions, have contem
plated in still greater amazement, the almos
magical rapidly thaLhath marked the unPre
cedentsd development Of our great Western
Country.
The GROWTH OF THE WEST, is the admira
ton Of Americans and the wonder of thu
world! This branch Of our national gorJ
presses itself with peculiar claims upon on
notice. Here are the pleasure-grounds
where the genius Of civilization and th'
guardian spirit Of human liberty love 10 roam
together. It's the great theatre Of socia
and civil IHPRovEnENT, where the god Of in
dustry meets his admiring votaries, and Il
his own temple initiates them, in full fellow
ship int0 the ar Of acquiring glory and hap