The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-12
From the Philadelphia Inquirer.
THE CROPS-THE COUNTRY-AND THE
PEOPI f.
CRATITUDE,

GRATITUDE.
Never was the prospect of abundant crops through
out this Union more favorable than at the present
moment Intelligence Of the most cheering charac-
ter pours in upon us with every mail. The proba-
bes at the present moment are that the aggre-
gate of the crops this year will prove much larger
than last and that our land will TEEN with bread
stufs and other essential articles Of human food and
commerce. Surely we have great cause for thank
fulness. AS compared with many other nations Of
the earth, how the people of this land favored
We have not only abundance Of food for the mil
lions within our borders but the general health was
never better; the Union seems still thoroughly knitted
together, and, with the exercise Of the ordinary du
ties of patriotism, shall go on increasing and
strengthening for many years. We are at peace,
moreover with all the world, and we indulge hope
that this gratifying aspect Of our relations with other
Powers will continue for long period in time to
come. True, there are defects in our character,
and our national horizon is not perfectly free from
clouds and darkness The of murder which
occasionally in the West, and the amentable
position Of a few of the States with regard to in
debtedness, cannot but excite the regret of every pa
triOtic mind
These, nevertheless, are evils which may be cured,
and to the remedy of which, the energies of the good
and the wise should be constantly directed. Our
people should remember that they live not only for
themseves-for the day. but for poserty and for man
throughout the world mighty experiment is in
progress in this country, an experiment which h as
been watched with the closest attention by the sages
and statesmen of the Old World, from the moment of
the dawn of our national existence Thus far despite
the cIoakings of The dstrusu and the apprehensons
of the fanthearteds the results have surpassed the
most sanguine expectations Of those who ere en-
gagged in the great work of building up the fabric of our
Government.
But " there giants in those days." giants in
all that was moral and ennobng to the human race.
Have their descendants degeneraedl Was the pa
trotsm of re purer than that of the present day? Is
devotion O country Iess steadfast now than il
then2 We trust not, but there many who have
doubts And yet, how much more have the present
generation to live for q? The mighty work has been
consummateo the States have doubled in number,
million after million has been added to our popuIa-
tion while our national wealth and resources have
increased beyond parallel Providence has blessed
US abundau tly Ours is indeed favored land.
We repeat that we have our nfrmities, our
tional weaknesses and national prejudces but the
great mass of the people are honest virtuous and
confdng. They love liberty, they love their coun-
try, they regard law and they have proper of
their dependence upon Divine Providence 1t is the
duty of their rulers and indeed of all who have inu
ence to encourage this audable spirit and these lau
dable views The millions should be taught that no
nation can prosper long, which proves itself unmind
full of the real duties of man, that becomes reckless
of the obligations of honor and of honesty, which
refuses to make the necessary sacrifices to vindcate
its fame and its credit, or which, basking in the
smiles of benignant Creator and blessed with album
dance as the results of seedtme and harvest, does
not manifest due sense of gratitude to the great
Dsposer of all these blessings Throughout the length
and breadth Of these fertile and hourishing States
we hear but voice in relation to the coming crops
On all sides the promise is rich. Heaven is for US
and with us. In the name of all that is just and
grateful, let us endeavor to prove ourselves worthy
of these favors, and by our conduct in all respects
manifest christian sense of dependancs and graft
tuds.