Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-09-10
TERMS |. Sc so I'm advance.
WHOLE NO.l56.

the genius which invented the cotton gin, and
| new moulded the commerce of the world. is
still rife among the countrymen of Eli Whit
ney In mathematics, in minera!ogy, in geol-
ogy, and in chemistry, the profound research
es of our countrymeu have added TO the ma
tional character, and increased the means of
social happiness
Trammelled by no letters of ignorance or
superstition, the American child of genius
"comes forth with freedom into the glowing
sunlight of philosophy, as the servant and in
terpreter of nature he looks; abroad into the
rich and magnificent universe, calls the de-
| llghtful scenery all his own-the mountains,
the valleys, the ocean, the rivers, and the
sky; through these wide bounds he is free at
| will to choose
Whate'e bright spoils the florid earth contains,
| Whate'er the water or the ambient air.
All present him with perfect instances of the
who created world SO fraught with beauty
and by their examination he gains materials,
which not only enlghten and adorn, but ex-
alt and purify his mind, teaching him TO ap-
preclate the miraculous workings of an ON
nipotent and eternal Power"
! But confederate America, after all, is not
yet century old; and it is unjust, therefore,
to measure her attainments by the ripened
knowledge which with other nations has been
the accumulation of centuries. The first con-
dlton OF progress In every department OF learn
ing is TO appreciate its value, and this condi-
ton, at least, she has generously fulfilled
There Is no OBJ ect of mental improvement at
all worthy of human pursuit, upon which, in
some form or other, she has not set the seal of
her approval and her elevation, it should be
remembered, is not shown by the bright a
chievements of an isolated class, but by the
liberal culture ola whole people
Without any deductions for her deficiencies,
she has done enough already to fix the graft
tude of her citizens, and to challenge the ad-
miration of the world And yet, she is but in
the morning of her existence; and brilliant as
now is her star, it has only entered upon the
radiant career which it is destined under Pro-
whence yet to accomplish Her population,
her wealth, her intellect, her power, are all of
them in the germ only of their first develop
ment, and are pressing forward TO an expan-
sion, whose majestic grandeur it is difficult for
the mind to realize. When we consider her
sparseness of population, her vacant territory,
her favored position, her unrivalled Govern
ment, and remember the momentum which she
has received from the past, and the increased
succeeding step of her onward march, we are
ready to believe nothing impossible in her flu
ture greatness
1t would be vain to expect that the work of
mere human hands, requiring the agency of
human means, should attain successful results,
without sometimes exhibiting the Imperfect
tons of its authors, and the infrmltleS of their
nature.
In the progress of our experiment Of self
government, we have encountered dangers
which appeared to threaten failure, and which
were exultingly hailed by the enemies of free
dom as the sure sign that our Federal Union,
the prolific source of all our blessings, would
prove but rope of sand" Through these
dangers we have successfully passed. 9th
ers must await US.
We know
{" There is divinity which shapes our ends,
Rough hew them as we may
, and we will not despair of the Republic al
, ways remembering that, if in the collisions of
interest, the wickelness of fanaticism, or the
: frenzy OF party, we recur TO those feelings of
| fraternal affection, forbearance, and conciia-
ton, and to those great principles of Justice
AMI respect for the rights of all, which anima-
ted our fathers. we will not fail to secure the
r perpetuity of our Institutions
: The magnitude of our country's destiny must
f depend, however, under Providence, upon the
, virtue and intelligence of her Individual citi-
Zens; and 10 all of us, therefore, she address
ses the solemn appeal of patriotism and hui
manity. While, therefore, we endeavor to
2 appreciate as it deserves our lorious heritage
of liberty and happiness, let us also appreciate
f the vast responsibility by which it is accom-
} panied Living under the only free govern
ment on earth, upon US arc concentrated the
dearest political hopes of man. Wherever
5 gliters the crown of deSpotism, or family
e throbs the heart of freedom-wherever toll
2 goes unrcwardei, or human right is crushed
, beneath oppression-from patriots of all climes,
: and the oppressed of every land-come blend
5 ed to our ears, voices alike of warning ard
S entreaty all invoking us to be faithful to our
| holy trust, and TO preserve it sacredy for the
I civil redemption of the world. The voices OF
S the past come mingled with the voices of the
: present, and amid the graves of fallen empires,
: and the splendid ruins of departed greatness,
0 we gather anew the solemn lesson of individ-
, ual duty. Let US receive it with submission,
8 and reverence, and awe; and let it increase
e the warmth of our PATRIOTISM the earnestness
: of our virtue, and the devotedness of our toll
2 If we would discharge Alright the duty which
n we owe to our country and to mankind, let US
T begin by dscharging Alright the duty which
' we owe ourselves.
5 "This above ALL to thine own self be true;
:, And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man."