Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-03-29

fence, OF public honor--ln snort, interests OF
common nationality and common sovereignty
interests which at last compelled the adoption
Of more perfect union, a national government.
The genius, talent and learning Of Hamilton,
of Jay, and of Madison, surprising, perhaps,
The intellectual power ever excited before for
the establishment Of a Government, combined
with the severe but mighty influence of Wash
ington, were only sufficient 10 secure the reluc-
tant adoption Of the constitution that is now the
object OF all our affections and the hopes of man
kind. No wonder that the conflicts in which
that constitution was born and the almost des-
ponding soIemni;y Of Washington IN his Fare
well Address, impressed his countrymen and
mankind with profound distrust of its perpe-
tuity No wonder that bile the murnurs OF
that day are yet rim ing in our ears, we have
cherished that distrust with pious reverence as
national and patriotic sentiment.
But it is time to prevent abuses of that septi-
ment. II is time to shake off that fear-fot
fear is always weakness. tits time to re,nem-
Der that Government, even when it arises BY
chance or accident, and ia administered capric-
iously and oppressively, is ever the strongest OF
all human institutions, surviving many social
and ecclesiastical changes and commissions, and
that this constitution OF has all the inherent
strength common to Governments in general
and added to them, all the soidty and tirmness
derived from broader and deeper foundations in
natural JUSTICE and as forming a better civil
adaptation to promote the welfare and happi-
ness of mankind
The Union, the creature Of necessities, phy-
steal, moral social and political, endures by viz
tue of the sumo necessities, and these necessi-
ties are stronger than when it wasproduced, dby
the greater amplitude of territory now covered
by it-stronger by the skiold increase of the
society living under its benefcent protection
! by the augmentation ten thousand times of the
fields, the workshops, the mines and the ships
of that society, of its productions OF the sea, of
the plough, of the loom, and Of the anvil, in
their constant circle OF internal and interna-
tonal eXchange-stronger in the long rivers
penetrating regions before unknown-strunger
in all the artificial roads, canals and other chan
nes and avenues essential not only to trade
but to defence-sronger in steam navigation,
in steam ocomotion on the land and teepraph
I communication unknown when the Constitu-
ton was adopted-stronger in the freedom and
! in the growing empire OF the seas-stronger in
the element of national honor in all lands-and
stronger than all in the now settled habits of
veneralion and affection for institutions so stu.
pendous and useful.
The Union then IS-not because merely tina,
men choose that it shall be, but because some
government must exist here, and no other pov-
eminent than this can. If it could be dashed
to atoms by the whirlwnd, the lightning and
the earthquake today, it would rise apain. in ali
its just and magnificent proportions, tomorrow
have heard somewhat here, almost for the
first time in my life, of divided allegiance-of
allegiance TO the South and to the Unon-of
allegiance to the States severally and to tie
Union. Sir, if sympathies with State EMMA
ton and pride OF achievement could be allowed
To another sovpraiop TO 49,
leglance OF citizen Of the U. s., | mi0bt 70.
cognze the claims Of the State to which by
birth and gratitude belong-to the State of
Hamilton and Jay, Of Schuyler, OF the Clintons.
and of Futon,-the State which, with less Than
} two hundred miles of natural NAVIGATION cor-
nected with the ocean, has by her own enter
prise secured to herself the commerce of the
Continent and is steadily advancing TO the
command OF the commerce of the world. But
tor all this, ! know only one country and one
J sovereign.-thc United States of America and
the American People.
And such as my allegiance is the LOYALTY Of
every other citizen OF the U. s.; as speak he
VIII speak, when his time arrives he knows
no other country, and no other sovereign ne
has life. liberty, property, and precious fec
tions and hopes for himself and his posterity
treasured up in the ark of the Union. He
knows as well, and feels as strongly as do
that this government is his own government.
{ that he is part of it, that i; was established
for him and that it is maintained by him, that
1t is the only truly wise, Just, free, and equal
government that has ever existed {; that no
other government could be SO wise, lust. freq
and equal that it is safe and more benefcen,
, thah any "hlch time or change could bring
into its place.
> You may tell me, sir, that ALTHOUGH all hi
he that tba 81 4.
not yet been made. Sir, if the trial of faction
!, has not been made, it has not been because that
: faction has not always existed, and has not al
4 ways menaced trial, but because faction could
- tlnd no tucrum on which to place the lever 10
subvert the Union, as it can find no fucrum
now, and in this is my confidence. | would
not rash'y provoke the trial but will not sut
. ter tear which have not to make me COM
promise one sentiment, one principle of truth
and justice, to avert danger that all expe-
renee teaches Is purely chimercal. Let then
:, those VINO dlstrust the Union make compro-
misses to save it. | shall not impeach the r
wisdom as certainly cannot their patriotism.
but indulge in no such apprehensions myself.
/ shall vote for the admission Of California.
directly, without conditions. without oualifca.
. ton, and without compromise; for the yindica.
ton of that vote look not to the verdict of the
Il passing hours, disturbed as the public mind now
\ is by conflicting interests and passions but to
, that period, happily not far distant, when the
:. vast regions over which we are now legisa,
Il ting shall have received their destined nhab.l
y tants.
y While looking forward to that day, its count
r less generations seem to me to be rising IN
l. and passing in dim and shadowy review before
us. And the voice comes forth from their ser.
o ried ranks saying, Waste your treasures, and
: your armies, If you will, raze your Notifications
to the ground, sink your navies into the sea-
e transmit to us dlshonored name, if you mus;
n but the soil that you hold in trust Tor US, give
y 1t TO us free. You found it free, and conquered
). II to extend better and surer freedom over it,
n Whatever choice you have made for YOUR
It selves, let us have no partial freedom. Let us
: all be free. Let the reversion of our broad do
e man descend to US, unencumbered and free
r from the calamities and SORROWS of African
bondage.