The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-04

so highly prize. If we have here made the
language of the Farewell Address, by change
of pronoun, applicable to the present times, the
present times may bear witness To the appropri-
ateness of the application.
The considerations in which every portion
OF our country finds the most commanding mo-
tlves for carefully guarding and preserving the
union Of the WHOLE" are set forth by WASH
IHGToN in striking contrast with the causes
which may disturb the harmony of the Union.
An identity of interests between the North and
the South, the Fast and the West, founded
upon the very diversity of their productions
and pursuits, which gives occasion for profit
able mtercllanges among all sections-that is
the real and the substantial basis which the eve
of the statesman and patriot must regard now
as 1t did then, as the strongest and most endur-
ing element Of the foundation upon which the
edlfice OF our Union rests. On the other hand,
the blindly perverted efforts attempted then,
as now, to characterize parties ''by geographi-
cal discrimination" --Northern, Southern, Al
lantic and Western--whence designing men
may endeavor TO excite a belief that there is a
real difference of local interests and views
these are the sources of the chief danger, and,
we may add, the only danger that threatens the
integrity Of the Union.
How striking the contrast And may we
not be compelled to admit that, at no previous
period ofour history, have these two classes of
consderations-the statesmanlike and the pa
frin tl,a eli a.
and partisan ON the other--presenied them
selves more prominently in the political are
ma! Yet what is more manifest than the
fact that our increase within the last fifty
years in population and resources, and in the
variety of our products, both agricultural
and of manufacture, with corresponding in
crease OF commerce, internal and foreign, has
greatly multiplied and strengthened the bonds
of unity throughout the country, and tended,
from year to year, to demonstrate the real iden-
tity of the interests of all sections! At the be-
ginning of the century canals and railroads were
not in existence in the United States; the pow
erful agency of steam, in its manifold applica-
tons, was unknown; the means of intercommu-
ncation between States, cities. and towns,
were rudely imperfect.
But how different now In proportion as
population has spread over the country instead
of seeing the new settlements isolated from the
old, the common efforts of both are directed to
the opening OF easy means of intercourse which
science and invention have rendered an every
day business. The great region of what may
now be called the Central West looks eagerly
towards the Atlantic, while the populous States
of the seaboard strive with all their energies to
draw nearer to the Mississippi valley the
lakes, with their richly -freighted commerce,
have found by artificial means an outlet to the
ocean through the bosom of our own territory
from Maine to Georgia railroads extend,
branching into the interior TO unite with other
connexions. But, above all, there is the great
Father of Waters, that national artery-vital
alike TO Wisconsin and to Observation-Disclosures
ing no aid to our national unity fifty years ago,
bat now giving an assurance equal to that Of
pledge from nature and from fate.
What causes, what influences, what dissen-
sions there that should find such potency
among a patriotic, Union-loving people, as to
give reason TO apprehend disaster defeat to
the onward fortunes of this our united Govern
Inent, 50 prolific Of blessings TO all who live UNI
der it, full of promise To the cause of freedom
throughout the worldl The voice of the Amer
lean people. if evoked to this question, would
resound in thunder-tone, There are nonei For |
this day at least, the anniversary Of the nations
birth, let us give room 10 no fOrebodings-but |
rather indulge in the confident hope that the
difficulties which beset our beloved country may
speedily disappear under the influence Of wise
and a patriotic spirit