The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-08-05

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And, indeed, the people themselves and
here in masses such as mover before were
seen within the shadows of tho Cnptol--a
cloud of witnessGs-to bring their own heart
felt testimony to the occasion, From all the
States ofthc Union: from all political parties,
from all professions and occupations; men of
all sorts and conditions aud those before
whom men Of all sorts and conditions bow,
as lending the chief ornament and grace to
every scene of life; the people MS individual
citizens, md in every variety of association,
military and masonic, moral, collegiate and
charitable, Rechabites and Rcd Men, Sons Of
Temperance and Fircmcn, United Brothers
and Odd Fellows, the people have come up
this day 10 the temple gates of n common
and glorious RcpubIicto fratcrnizc with each
other in fresh act of homage to the memory
otthe man who was, and is, and will forever
be- first in the hearts his countrymeuw-
Welcome, welcome, Americans all. "I'hc
nnmo ofAmcrican, which belongs to you in
your national capacity, Il borrow the words
Of Washington himscll)must always cXalt the
Just pride ofpatrotism more than any appel
Iation derived from local Determinations"
Nor can feel, fellow citizens, that | have
yet made mcntion of all who are with us mt
this hour. Which oius does not realize that
unseen witnesses are around us? Think yc
that the little band, whose feeble forms are
spared to bless our sight Cnce more, IRE all
of the army of Washington who are uniting
with us in this tribute of reverence for his
memory? Think yc that tho patriot soldiers,
or the patriot statesmen who were around
him in war and in peace are altogether absent
from n scene like this? Adams and Jctlcr-
son, jont-authors oflhc Declaration, by whose
lives and deaths this day has been douhly hal
lowed; Hamilton and Madison, Joint trainers
ofthc constitution, present, Visibly present,
in the vencrntoG persons Of those nearest and
dearest to them in life: Marshall under whose
auspices the work before MS was projected,
and whose classic pen had already construct
cd monument TO his illuStrlous compcCr and
friend, more durable than marble or granite;
Knox, Lincoln and Green; Franklin, Picker
ing and Morris, Schuyler and Putnam, Stark,
and Prescott, Sumptcr and Marion, Steubcm,
KosCiusco and Lafayette, companions, cOun-
sellers, supporters, friends, followers of
Washington all, ALI we hail them from their
orbs on high, and feel that We do them no
wrong in counting them among the gratifcd
Witnesses of this occasion.
But it is the precise epoch ut which we
have arrived in the worlds history. which
imparts to this occasion an interest and an
importance which cannot he easily ovcrcsti-
mated.
Ican make but tho merest allusion to the
mighty movements which have recently talk
Ell place on the continent Of Europc--wherc
events which would have given character to
an age have been crowded within the chang
cs of n moon.
Interesting, intensely interesting, MS these
events have been TO all who have Witnessed
them, they have been tGniold mare interest
ing 10 Americans. We sec in them the influ-
cucc of our own institutions. We behold in
them the results OF our own example. We
them us the spontaneous germiua-
lion and growth of seeds which have been
waited over the ocean, for hnlra century past,
from Our own original liberty tree.
The distinguished writer of the dcclara-
ton which made this day memorable, was full |
ofapprchensions us to the influence of the !
old world upon the new. He even wished !
OH one occasion, that san ocean of liro"might |
roll between America and Europe, to cut Off |
and consume those serpent destinations and
which were to corrupt, if not to
strangle outright, our infant freedom in The |
cradle.
Doubtless these were no idle fears at the |
time, doubtless there are dangers still, which !
might seem TO have justified such wish. |
But it is plain that the currents of political
influence thus far have run deepest and
in the opposite direction. The IN
Fucnce ofHe me,O 'corId upon The OLD is the
Mr. JcfiGrsons ocean of fire" has indeed
been almost realized. A tremendous engine
y has covered the sea with smoke and flame.
The fiery dragon has ceased TO he fable
The inspired description of Lcviathan is full
illed to the lcttcr."Out of his mouth 90 burn
ug lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. Out
If his nostrls goeth smoke, as out of Il sCcll-
ng pot or cauIdron. His breath kindIcth
,oaIs, and Il flame gocth out of his mouth
lie maketh tho sea like pot of ointment"
But the Saint George of modern civiza-
ion and science, instead of slnyiug the drag
N, has subducd him TO the yoke, and broken
lin into the service OF mankind. The ocean
# fire has only facilitated the intercourse
which it was invoked TO destroy. And the
esult is before the world.
New modes of irregular and
more rapid intcrchanges of information and
opinion. lrccr and frequent comparison of
principles, of institutions and conditions, have
t length brought the political systems of the
wo continents into confict; and PROSTATE ,
hrones and reeling empires this day bear
witness to the shock.
Yea, fellow-citizens, (if may be allowed |
he hSurc, the great upward and downward
rains on the track ofhuman freedom have
It last come into collision. 1t is too early
IS yet to pronounce upon the precise consc- {
luehces OF tho encounter But we can see ,
It a glance what engines have heen SKATER ,
al ana what engineers have been dashed
rom their seats. We can see too, that the
;reat American built locomotive "I.ibcrty." I
till holds OH its course, unimpeded and IN ;
impaired; gathering strength as it goes: de- |
clipping new energies to meet new exigen- :
les; and bearing along its imperial train of
wenty millions of people, witha speed which t
nows no parallel I
Nor can we fail to sec that men are every 1
lhere beginning to examine the model of 1