Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-08-01

q
all tie ties that bind his ho:.:e and who will
defend IT. and The institutions which belong 10 il, by
all lie means that energy, aad Intelligence and de-
vo'eares' have eve! brought 10 The great day OF trial,
ano 5y winch they have iaade It dag OF triumph.
" have COME here 10 lon IN another com!aernra-
lion.-,o witness the UNION Of The lakes and OF the
Misses opi-to survey one Of the nobest works of man.
in The improvement of That great highway OF Nature
extending fro.a New York to New Orleans, whose
tG, moral. and physical effects II VAN 10 seek
even to onjecture.
And fifty chosen is the day OF this celebration. This
work IS another ligament, Which binds together this
great confederated Republic Providence has given
Union, and many motives 10 preserve It, The sun ne
yer shone upon country abound,.Ng more than ours
Goes all the elements of prosperity II were need
ess TO enumera,c the advantages enjoy, and which
give US so distinguished position among ,e nations
u the word. They arc and felt si those evi-
oences oil prosperity and improvement which gree, tnr:
':aVei!er wherever he passes ,h.orgh cur country
nu sun more striking they when contrast our
sitGsuo. with Ina: OF the older regions of the world
shs not eh'er lno the compaFIsUn | could speak OF
from personal knowledge but the task would no, be
one Tor 1t would recall many cause of dig
content, and many scene Of misery which meet The
eye OF the most careless observer who EXCHANGES ,
new hemisphere fer the old An American, who does
not return TO his own country wiser man and better
izen, and pouder and more contentst for All he has
seen abroad, may well doubt his own head and heart
and tIay we'll be doubted By his countrymen
Still, IL is not TO be disguised that from the very
constitution OF human nature, may occasionally
exist tending to weaken, though they cannot sever
the bonds when 'ne Us; ard happy i; that these
causes may BE- counteraced, and ultimately re NAV
hope, rendered poweress, by measures now in pro-
gress, which w! add the ties Of interest 10 the dictates
of patriotism. Oar railroads and canals are penetre,
ing every section OF our territory. They annihl.
lating time and space. They are embracing in their
folds the and the lake frontier, and the great
REGION extending from the Allegheny to the Rocky
Mountains, through which the mighty Mississippi and
the countless tributaries find their way to the Gulf of
Mexico. Once let this work be completed, and we are
bound together by cords which strength sunder
The moral and political effect, therefore, Of the great
work before us, is important than the ply.
slcal advantages it promises. II will beer upon It's
bosom the products OF thousand fertile Valleys and
1t will spread gsdness and prosperity regions
which have Just been rescued from the Indian and
from the animals, his co tenants OF the forest, which
minister 10 their wants. But It will DO more than
this 1t will make glad the heart OF the patriot As
he sails along 1t, he will see, not merely the evidence
and the Cause OF wealth and prosperity, but OF the
ties which knit Us together BY process more for
tunale than alchymlst med the ieeblest ele
ment will be converted into the strongest bond. 1t
will bear the boat and lis freight market, where
products may be interchanged and wealth acquired.
But II will interchange interests and feelings which
no wealth can purchase, and for which price can
pay Well then may sc rejoice upon this day. The
occasion and the time are IN unison together. And,
while thank God for the services and sacrifices
which he enabled atIiers 10 make in the acqus;-
ton Of freedom and independence, &c, thank him,
also that able 10 s:renc.ian their work, and
to transmit 10 our children as they transmitted to theirs,
the nob!est inheritance that belongs TO man. The ark
of the Constitution is yet untouched. Wiihered be the
hand that would poute It
did not come here 10 speak to YOU Of the political
questions which divide US Sufficient unto the day is
evil thereof In the secular concerns.of life wa
have enough OF party discussions. IL 10 good they
should find their Sabbath their day of rest when we
can put them behind US, and and greet one ano.
Their, as brethren Of the same famy-as the country
men of Washington and Jefferson end Franklin the
hers OF their iaborS, and the guardians of their fame
am no believer IN the sinister predictions Of those
who are perpetuay crying, woe, woe 10 Jerusalem
Our Jerusalem Is neither hesieged in danger II will
survive all the dissenslons of the Gay and whatever
other nonumen's may fall they have fallen upon the
plans OF Liberty, tiis, may trust is destined to re-
man uniarned, refuge for US, and guide for others
when The waters OF oppression over the earth
The foundations of our freedom too broadly and
deeply laid 10 be easily shaken. They rest upon lnsu
tons, upon manners upon religion upon all that gives
character and energy 10 the social system In Europe
Government depends for security upon physical force.
Here, It depends upon moral force or in other words
upon public opinion. And tins brief contrast explains
almost all that is peculiar To the political systems of the
two hemispheres There, large armies numerous fleets
powerful police, heavy debt established religion
are essential portions OF the machinery by which the
engine of Government is KEEP, in motion Here / need
many, are utterly unknown. The Government is here
IN the hands OF all, and not day passes the life of
any man, from the cradle 10 the grave when could
not be peacefully and legally changed by the general
Will This IS state of things, 10 which no parallel
be found the present Conditions OF the systems
of Europe social and POLITICAL nor could 1t exist there
q day. 1t would lead 10 convusiun, and would end
10 revoution-a revolution whose consequences
beyond the reach of human sagaciiy Here
educated in a habitua observance Of the lew 1t il
Ian, all Cd H.
There, the law is too often taskmaser 10 be eluded
opposed, interest other passion may die.
tate Here, officer in the execution of his duty,
armed with a small piece Of paper, which, like ma
gic wand ensures the SUBMISSION OF the strongest and
bodest. There he is attended with armed party,
and the sword aad the bayone are conspicuousy dis
played as the true ensgns of authority But ! shall
not pursue ihls contrast II ~ not necessary 70. any
purposes have in view. aliude 10 the subject gene
rally, in connection with present duties merely 10
teach lesson which may be useful to us all To re-
mind you Of the deep debt We owe to Providence for
what ne possess and enjoy. To ineulca;e merely
content, but gratitude. To recall TO you that you
American citizens, the repositories Of political
fate and under God the trustees Of liberty, for the
tons of the earth, who will day awaken TO their
strength, Us they now awakening TO their rights,
and who will do the deed which forefathers did,
and which made what
This is not my first visit 10 this interesting place |
have been mere before, under other circumstances
der circumstances, indeed, Illustrative Of the progress
of cur country OF those wonderful changes which
porPeualiy gazing on, aad by which The strange fc
OF Eastern imagina.ions almost realized But
our creations due TO the Magician S lamp
They have purer origin. They spring from indus.
try and enterprise protected by equal laws and nvgo
rated by benign religion, and they bring with them
their reward.
Scarcely two centuries have passed away, since
small band Of advenlurers seated themselves upon the
shores of distant An ipterminable forest
around hem and it's recesses occupied by fierce
and vindctive foe. They came out TO suffer in their
day, bat to become glorious in their generation And
we'll did they fulfil their mission. Where is the
forest which shut them in, and where the Indian,
who roamed and guarded liz Both are laid low.
The great wave Of civilization has swept EDWARDS,
bearing down the forest and is tenants, III this little
ba nd has become a mighty people, ~ho have spread
themselves great Continent, and seem destined,
IN IL. Providence Of God still to go on, I'll checked
b. one rihose chassenieHls, by which the mora! 60
yernment Of the world is yndicatcd and the ngratl-
tude of nations punished
Well may we exclaim in the language Of inspiration,
the lines have fallen 10 Us in pleasant places; yea,
have a eoodly heritage when we survey this mol
country between the lakes the Ohio and the Sissssp
p where have established dwelling There pro-
badly region upon the Globe better ed for the
dence of man and for the supply othe productions hc