Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-06-10
WOODSTOCK, VERMONT, THURSDAY JUNE TO- l847
The gloomy phantoms evoked by his dra.

matte imaginaion; when, Benton, l.
loose the tempests of his soul, aud storm
in the midst of an admiring aud awe
struck Senate, with the torrents of hi
imprisoned heart; when, Allen, rush in
to the discussion with the terrific anathe
mas OF his prophetic tongue; when hear
Cass, expressing with burning lips tn
thoughts which his mind had pondered il
silence and medilation-hurl his rebound
ing speech umidst the agialions OF con
troyersy, and hold his adversaries cap
tive under the grippe of his unsparinl
dlalectics; Calhoun's gigantic intellect un
folding its powers in lofty and beguiln!
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the most vlgol on:
minds and master the most re5ellious con
victions: then, then would the fire SEIZE
me also, making me dream, in my fever
ed brain, of acknowledgements
trmmPhs; and | would have grown hun
dred cubits, to wait. on the tones of m,
voice, the name of Louisiana to the ex.
IRENE confines of The word-gIori(yng
her in the presence ofthe assembled I'M
iverse-canceIIing, as it were, in one day
debt of twenty years kindness.
And Louisiana did inspire me-she
alone made me dare speak-her voice
alone gained me hearing. 1t was she
that then made me what Was, as it is
she again that now speaks to me through
you in encouraging terms. Let us speak
OF her aloud, above all, let US awaken her
own eloquent voice. Too long had she
been forgotten. Why should she remain
mule'-why appear inactive and silent
amid the changing scenes that the drama
OF our political contests evolve in her
presence? Why should she abdicate the
lofty rank to which so many rich episodes
in the history of the last war entitled and
elevated herr spoke of her, gentlemen
with pride, for the tenderest love towards
her dictated my words. Permit me to
speak of her again.
Others may dwell with admiration on
the uncomfortable increase of her agricul-
tural resources, and the still more won
derlu advances of the Queen City that
clasps to her bosom the immense produce
conveyed to her by the monarch.s,ream:
they may boast Of the conquests achieved
from day to day, by her commerce, over
the industry of her sister States, and the
wants of foreign nations; or, they may
speak, with enthusiasm, Of the mildness Of
her climate, the inexhaustible fertility of
her soil, the chivaIric hospitality of her
social customs, which constantly lure to
her hearth the sons and genius of remote
lands; but mine be an essay TO lift up the
veil that envelopes her future--lo pluck
a few leaflets from the book Of her dest-
ny.
Behold! what she is nheri,ing from the
fields of battle that our heroic soldiers
have immortalized! Do the vague but
prophetic rumors-the shouts of victory
the pIans of triumph waited hither by
every morning breeze, say naught to you
of the brilliant destiny awaiting her? In
the vista of future do you not seem to
behold hundred new States revolving a.
round her, and striving for the honor of
Sdiul'Hg HcT 0ueell.
Onward, then, noble Louisiana! Clio
ry-crowned and firm under the guidance
of God, march with pride IN the mysteri-
Gus path traced out for you by Prov.
dence, and snatch from the flash of the
lightning that illumes your way, the civic
diadem which fortune profers you!
On you, gentlemen, devolses the priv
ilege OF preparing her Tor this sovereignty.
How arduous soever may be her future
destiny, union on your part will accom-
plish ii. And why should you not be
united? In this sorm-beaten ocean, eve
ny man will have his wave, and every
thought its triumphant swell.
Around this festive board, whence par.
ty spirit is excluded under so rare and
gratifying self-denial, an energetic hope
arises in my heart that your united sym.
pathies will sustain our State in the criti-
cal hour of need
And is it not an earnest of this spirit in
her regard, that chance, touching with its
wand the most humble among you, mark
ed him with reputation how fleeing
soever, the better to manifest the oneness
of soul, of thought, and ofhear, with
which you would all, despite the diferen.
ces of political faith, gather together in
honor Of your favored representatives.
Let us drink, then, gentlemen, 10 her!
To her, all in concert-Io Louisiana!