The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-07-13

lost forever from the earth. In comparison with
the vast importance and the sacred duty Of main
tanning such union, how poor and insignificant
are all our little local jeaouscs and all our divi-
sons of individual opinion. In support of the con-
slilutlon, however we may diiler IN other and mi
nor subjects, all scots and all parties may freely
and cordially unite, and before the altar of the
Union bow down in common worship, as citizens
Of one country, and brethren of the same great
family. was glad, sir, to hear you say, that, as
member of the Union, the State OF Maine knows
no geographical limits, no peculiar interests, no
separation Of climate or Of soil and have been
rcjoccd TO observe asimilar spirit devotion TO the
Union throughout my extended journey. Among
you who inhabit this region OF our country, de-
votion 10 the Union may well be regarded as pec,-
liary strong; for, looking from Your most north
en borders to the far SOUTH and TO the most distant
west, there is place where you do not find the
bone of your bone, and the flesh Of your flesh; !"
where you do not see your own children success
fully exercising the industry and intelligence and
enterprise which they have inherited from New
England, to work out their own happiness, and to
add 10 the common prosperity OF their country.
i They carry with thcm as the children oil other
States bling here, affections and attachment which,
rising superior to local views contribute TO strength
Gu in no ordinary measure the bands Of our inyalt-
! able Union. You have reminded Inc that am the
first President Of the United States who has visit
ed your citizens since Maine became State.
tldI SO great an ItOnOT HcCN pCFUitttuJ
under Providence, TO me, and that thus have the
opportunity to recommend here, as would recon-
mend in all parts of our beloved country, cultiva-
ton Of that feeling Of brotherhood and mutual
gard between the North and the South and the
East aud the West, without which we may not au-
ticipate the pcrpetuty Of our free institutions
Ii was this feeling which The venerated Washing
ton sought to inspire when he warned his country
men against yielding to sectional divisions local
jcaIousics, and il was this sentiment which another
Chief Magistrate proclaimed TO The world when. in
crisis of peril and excitement, he made that memo
! rabls dccaration-"Our Federal Union--it must be
T preserved" What man can adequately estimate the
fatal consequences which must attend its fall? l
pray for the perpetuity Of institutions, not only
because upon them must rest our own prospects OF
freedom and Of happiness, but because they admin
lister also to the welfare Of mankind. BY tho aid Of
steam we arc brought already into the close neigh
borhood Of Europe, and foreign communities are be-
lginDing TO feel the influence Of our SYSTEM and to
receive from us liberal and enlightened views Ami
mated by our example and the successful working Of
our government the suffering and oppressed people
Of the old world begin now TO understand their own
rights, and to claim the enjoyment, as we enjoy
them, Of freedom Of thought, freedom of speech, and
, freedom Of conscience.
This lesson has been recently forced upon item
with peculiar power; and the same ships which have
borne the starving millions abroad the plentcous
supplies Of our abundant harvcs have carried 10 them
at the same time the glad tidings Of our freedom,
prosperity and glory. They SEQ us, it were, the
favored people Of Cod covered with plenty, and re-
joicng in happiness, and their hearts ycarn for the
same great blessings which, in our country, spring
from the constitution and arc haowed by the Union.
Not only, too, do we thus benefit the world by the
great light of our example, but we open here tho
only free asylum for the oppressed which can be
On IA hnrSU fhen thev nd
government invited them to shores, and we still
welcome the honest and industrious cmigrant TO par
ticpate in our abundance, and unite with in in
creaslng the prosperity Of our country. We say to
him, "come freely among US, act as an honest man,
and you shall be protected in all your rights"
The magnitude Of our own national destiny it is
difficult even for the imagination TO appreciate.-
When this Union was formed neither your State nor
mine had yet separate existence. My destiny in
my youth was amidst the wilderness, out Of which
has since grown State, which is now the home Of
prosperous, cnterprisng and energetic popul ltion
! similar success has attended the growing fortunes
Of Maine, and am rcjoced to witness your rapid
advancement in agriculture, in navigation, in the
fisheries and in all the various interests which go to
make up the aggregate Of your prosperity and your
wealth. The same giant growth is to be in all
our territory and is destined, il we are faithful 10
our duty as citizens, to continue with increased rap
dily through the lapse Of years. In this view, who
can anticipate the future greatness Of our republic and
who can estimate its influence upon the and des-
tiny Of mankind! II in So years much has been
accomplished for the grandeur of our nation, what
results may sho not confidently hope to accomplish in
the half century yet 10 come! When our constitu-
ton was adopted, The individual who addresses you
was not in existence, and the man may be now un.
born who, ftyoeht years hence, will fill the office
which is now held by me. Ii the population Of our
shall tn in rafio
in the past corresponding period, he will then rep
resent people numbering more than hundred mil
lions, while at The time you, the eastern States
by The increased facilities intercourse wb brot n~
to the neghborhood our most distant and
be able to communicate with them IN less time than,
at the period Of the adoption Of constitution your
predecessors could communicate with Boston. Let
US hope that, at that distant period, when future
chief magistrate Of the nation may be welcomed by
future governor Of Maine, they may be able to OK.
change congratulations do now, upon the hap.
piness Of our people and the continued strength Of
our Union.
l have extended these remarks because feel that
i can do no better service TO my country than to
express wherever may find an appropriate oppor-
tunity to do So my deep conviction that the preser
walton of the Union Of these States is paramount to
every other political consideration and that the same
spirit Of harmony and compromise i'll which il was
formed, is vitality necessary to secure is existence aud
10 perpeuatc its blessings. Throughout my journey
whose northern limit | now have reached, have
witnessed on every side proofs Of its value, and
fresh indications Of the deep attachment TO il which
peryades the hearts Of all people. shall return
to my ducs at the scat Of government with sn in
creased sense Of their responsibility and Importance,
andwith confirmed regard for thatveneratcd cvnstitu
ton which have been faiihlullyt 10 admins
ter.
Suffer mo again TO return my profound acknow-