New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-10-19
THE TRIBUNE
RY HOW. ALEXANDER H. a. STUART.


aY HON. ALEXANDER H. a. STUART.
NJ. pr,siesat. ard Cea2trsa ri Tie An'ifHA.
MR. obexed YOUR summons to appear mere,
ai. ove,;,r with mingled feelings OF gratitude and
.,,reb.ns;on. There are fsw men, however e1-
.i,sd their position in society, who would not feel
lorored by IN invitation TO address the enlightened
.n3i,nce which nov surrounds me. And imagine
,,.,,is 40 one who would approach the task with
80, acme apprehension of failure 10 perform il 10
,s,isisctory manner. II will not them ! am sure
h. matter Of surprise TO any one, thar in appear
mo for the first time, in scene so to me, and
:, discharge OF duty so foreign from all my fer
,osr habits and pursuits in life, should feel OPP
o,sss,d by painful sense of my incoinpetency to
sdd any thing TO the intrinsic interest Of the coca
.;,u. There were considerations, however, Of a
peculiar character, which seemed TO require that
sbould Weld obedience 10 your wishes. | could
mt he ignorant OF the fact that was indebted for
the invitation more to my geographical position, than
IN eny peculiar qualifications which possessed,
for the Office you have been pleased to assign me-
believed that patriotic desire 10 extend the
sphere Of your usefulness, and to strengthen the
re,siOns Of friendship between the North and the
So,th. had induced you TO select as your organ, u
Southern man, who was known to feel deep in
,sre.in the success of your noble Institution. In
messed with this belief, and cordially responding to
,bsse sentiments have not hesitated TO leave my
home beyond The Blue Mountains Of Virginia, to
,ou with you in the celebration of your 18th Ami
yersary-to extend TO you, in behalf Of the people
Of my native State, the right hand of fellowship
and 10 cheer you, in your onward career Of useful
p.,s and honor, by the assurance of the deep solicit
,udc which they feel n the cause Of American In
dusty.
The occasion which has brought US together, is
one ofideep interest 10 every American. III he sub
ets which il suggests for consideration, are Of The
most varied aud comprehensive character. They
address themselves to all classes Of society, aud 10
every geographical Division of our country. The
purposes OF your association ere defined by your
charter 10 be, The encouragement OF domestic
industry in Agriculture, Commerce, Nanuiac ,ures
ind the Arts" These objects are, 10 some extent,
connected with all the practical interests and pur
suits Of mankind. There is hardly question IN
philosophy, mechanics or political economy which
does NOT fail within the legitimate sphere Of your
duties. The only Limitation 10 which tho speaker
is subject in the SELECTION Of his theme for ,ha An
mversaty ADDRESS, is, that il shall bs strictly Ane-
rcau The Durpe o. your Institute bespeaks is
national character. Although it derives It's corpo-
rate existence from the State OF New York. and has
its local nebitarion within her borders, al! it's pur
poses and designs are essentially American. ln
icling as your organ, therefore, II Will be my daily
10 less than Ely pleasure, 10 e1c'uoe from my we"
very sentiment WINCH would be calculated 10 ex-
/ ae secuouai or party feelings, 10 withdraw oui
minds from The mplation OF the interests, the
/ happiness, and the glory vi onr whole country.
There arc many things come cted with there an
nual assemosges o. people from distant parts Of oul
l Union which must always commend them to the
4 favor of rejecting and patriotic men. The mere
lsct Of persona " no would otherwise be strangers
Z meeting together, and becoming personally &C
q quau,ed. generates sentiments OF kindness, and
move. many causes of prejudice. We teugh,
to feel, that though we may be separated by thou.
sands Of miles, we belong 10 the same Republic -
? s,eaS The same lenguase,--live under the same
Gens,nl Laws have the same interest IN cher
ishing and perpeua,Dg our free Institutions.
The exhibitions too, which we have Witnessed
dudug the last ten days, have been emlnenty Cal,
culsfed to inspire us with sentiments OF national
pride. We have had before the most striking
e'iScnces Of the extent and variety OF the produc
hons Of our country, and of the genius and enter
Prise OF our people. We have seen the wonderful
results of our national industry presented TO US IL
IMMATURE, and the conviction is forced upon ou'
Sands, that under wise system of Legislation
aen is nothing within the reach OF human ingeDu
4 r,towhich American skill and enterprise nsy no
| neeessiully aspire.
4 ali the circumstances under which we have as
A enbled, seem 10 prescribe that our thoughts uPor
n neprsent occasion should be directed 10 some TO-
pr cOanccted with the productive industry oil IN.
4 Valed States. have therefore concluded 10 occu
4 Wbe hour which is allotted TO me. with sons
sssral remarks upon the tights, duties, and respon
4 Sahnes OF ,hs Wor&ingmen OF America.
q The subject is one Of vast magnitude and irpor
ss, itwould furnish the text for volumes, instead
Nn NOT
weary You with tedious details, but merely 10 pre-
ssnta lew prominent reflections, which have occur
Z ITO 20 my mind in the hope that may be able Il
q awaken q spirit of enquiry, and induce some ONT
u theme
ID attempting 10 form correct estimate Of th'
sns anu duties of the industrial classes oil I'M
United States, i, is necessary 10 examine the con
4 Suoa o. similar orders in the various countries
Suiope TO review their history, and 10 understand
v ~, SOCIAL and political relations. Tins retrospsc
IIMepare oar minds for the enquiry, how isT tn
SlS and duties OF the American people are aHec'e'
:" me peculiar structure Of their institutions,
q WIEN the rude nations of Tho north suoeuea 'h
ssnnees OF the Roman Empire, they were oosige'
4 saohsh sone form o! government 10 pfeseH'
eonquests from revolt or external aggression
i n. s necessity led TO the adoption OF the ieua@
S Ssn which is the basis ofalI the governments 9
eoeera Europe. IL would be foreign from The 90
rfl j
%'as use and progress OF this system, or detaii
1, analysis OF Its principles. l, will be sutheish
,S, my present purpose TO say, that however wei
ffa Il may have been 10 maintain the common
ne hais civilized copquerors, none could nav
fl ae'ised more destructive OF the true Prneip'e
safly, or more fatal 10 the security and haPp;
= mo people, Aitits features Were arisIoeiS ~
r ,sao all lis tendencies TO the oppression atu os
: ssai9n 81 the great masses of society. the nus
W o. The people were seris, and condsmnea 70
:, ,,,s 'uensge or absolute slavery. me. "oa
: Iessss 10 the lands on which they hvee, an
! soousht and sold with them. They oouio ~
I .ahsaated without The concurrent acn" .r,
S sI immediate losd and OF me sovereign ne
, sss. acquire only nominal ute TO proper
0al lite power 10 dispose q. il by deed or WI, =,
were no, penniued 10 appoint guardians ~
is.,SshtSrsn, Dor 10 give ,hein in mafnsse' WIZ
lie lie Consent OF the lord Oh whom iney were De &c
n;. fala~sui, was commenced IN the ioro
= S,'t could not be ,esmrateG ~ smieaes agree
: sSserw' en- the parties, teesnse the lcri in'se
y ss be deprived OF IN perqu s'trs Incident 10 N
y sssn' They were denied the privilege oil esai
J: aNs Which, in pn age when Pnysicd lore
D are',er OF righi, essenual Tor Ue seeui
II 4 ~Srsou aud n-,n.rt. And they were su'Jse