The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-25
TIL E R EP u BLIC.
(ContinuatiOn.J ]

lew minutes. II is with reluctance truly felt ana
not assumed ensuing first, because ain little
customed to address meetings of this great size,
aud because you have already heard tfuse more
competent 10 address you, and you will also hear
others more competent But, fellow citizens,
cannot, will not refuse myself to your cali.
came here In no official capacity desired " come
simply as one of you, as private c,tlxen of the
county but catch the holy impulse Of this meet
ing.
Tam with you, fellow citizens, heart and hand
am here approving al do the resolutions not to
speak especially to them, as they have been el-
ready well and ably explained. We are here not
to cnnvir,ce each other of the TRUTH the nobleness
OF our holy cause, Tor believe all vt one
mind, but 10 strengthen each other in our convic
tions. We come " animate each other in our feel
ings; to kndfe 1t may be, come enthusiasm In our
bosoIns, by which, We go away this night, we may
all labor each one in his own sphere, more reso-
lutely, with the more energy, and with the more
zeal IN our great and holy cause. tApplause That
cause is the great und paramount cause vi the
Union. [Appause.l AZ a Phiiadelphian, rejoice
to see this great meeting in this our great city.
rejoice that We about to add our example to
others that have been set Of proceedings Of this ma
}ure. call this our great city.
II is not great for It's numDers sscne, but 1t is en-
dearcd To the whole Union by the n,o,wenlous
events OF which il has been the theatre in Aneic.n
history. You have heard some Of them alluded to,
in tine resolutions which have been read night.
never heard those resolutions until they were read
here ~ night; but my hesrt and my judgment re-
sponded 10 them all.
You have heard what has been said of this city.
We are all proud oi Il the city Of independence.
Almost within the hearing Of my voice, That Illus
tious collection oi heroes and sages o unsurpassed
wisdom and patriotism, of great purity and Z; firm
| ness unequailed III the annals OF history, met and
from their deliberations Issued noble charter OF
Independence. tSreat applause.) But that char
ter would have been of no vaiuc-tnut great charter
would have been worse than usefees had 10 not bee
Tor The Constitution that followed.
IL Is known 10 all oi you who fdmtliat with
our history that, from the close Of the vi lnde-
pendence 70 the adoption Of that Constitution. we
mad ialleh 10 the lowest point VI national depres
eion. Prosperity We had Respect from
abroad we had nCne. Clouds, portentous clouds,
hung the future. Then assembled n band ,
equally renowned tor wisdom, Tor patriotism, and
Tor devotion 10 the great interests their country
Then assembled that band of patriots, and oi sages
who formed the Constitution OF the United States.
Yes, my fellow Citizens, here in cherished city,
here in the walks Of our Independence Square, un-
der Its ancient ens, carried their pro-
tracted inquiries, their important deliberations,
their able debates And from their hands issued
work, fabric, which. considering the compiexity
of It's parts, and the harmony of the whole, consid
cred as WORK OF government, one, single, and en-
tire, has never before, in the annals of the world
been equalled. (Great applause.
III | had with me here 10 night a single volume
Of that well known work entitled the '.Fcderalist !"
would almost ucspass upon your time 10 read
you a few, and only few, passa ges from some Of
the earlier numbers oil H. have lately, in the lei
sure OF my retirement in the country, examined
II, and have been amazed to find how its articles
would apply TO the present crisis.
| i have been amazed T. lind with what beauty
and force OF language the evils of the want OF Union
were portrayed, aud with what equal felicity oi
| thought and expression the great advantages III
this glorious Union wcreset ,orth. IApplause.I
viii here venture 10 tsespass upon your patience
| Tor a moment, In mentioning a private personal
anecdote. When last abroad in Europe, II was my
fortune to form the acquaintance of Mr.. Guizot,
then the prime minister of the French government
! / need not say that he is reputed III Europe as
among the most able, learned. and profound of liv-
| ing statesmen in that hcmisphe For one,
equally believe in his purity and his virtue. Ii was
my lot 10 engage In conversation with that states
man OF a great European government upon the
4 subject OF that American work, the " Federalst.'
! was delighted 10 find that he WAS familiar with II
all. And permit me to quote remark he made
which Tell with qualification upon my American ear
| ''slr, said he, " In the discussions Of those mum
| bers, ior all that combines profound kno~ied y
| oil the great elementary principles OF human gov
erninent, with the wiscst maxims OF practical ad
ministration, do not know, IN the whole compass
| oi my reading, whether from ancient or mouerr
authors, 50 able a work" Applause Now lie
me tell you what was the great and important pur
pose OF that work. From the first chapter 10 th'
last all the letters in II from beginning To end arr
devoted To explaining the PROVISIONS, enarginl
upon the advantages, and pronouncing the sobe
| culogy OF the Constitution of the United States
tGreat applause.
Fellow. citizens: have said that that great Con
stitution, cmanatng from such minds, was ISSUED
20 the country and Issued to the world from on
own city; and certainly ii Is one, and the most i'm
portant cne, too, in the interesting and monentou
historical associations of our land Snail mention
70 you another which we, in own cherishc'
Philadelphia, may claim! When Washington wa
our President in this city matured the pro
found thoughts OF deep wisdom that characteriz
his farewell address TO his cOuntrymen-a work
a state paper, which, considered In the light
parting ahectionate advice to nation, and II
| greatest beneiactor-a state paper, which an eul
nent historian of the other world, not very remark
able for his attachment TO our institutions, has pee
nounced superior TO any production, To any stat
paper, that ever issued from the mind or pen
mortal That was prepared in our cherished city
Shall We not send forth our thanks upon IA
great occasion for the amazing prosperity that th
Union has produced 10 us, " all that II has brOugi
to our couhtry-all that the judgment would hsv
anticipated-all that the heart could wish-if =
that should fail to rally around noble Const
tuition, with afl, ctonatc zeal aud determined fide
ity, let the views OF that immortal man rally us
its support.
You all know that the most important passa &c
that great paper counscls to perpetuao the nair
teusnce OF tho Union, and fellow citizens, may tn
spirit be our saving angel.
, I am sensible that ! am even now trespassin
upon your time and patience. | did not expect
speak, but ] could not resist the call. Bat, M
fellow citizens, permit me To state something cl-
within my personal recollection. i
those, and there are very lew now remaining
|
here, unlcss, like myself, he born in Phiisde
pbia-whO witnessed the grand Federal proce
sion in l7SS, 10 celebrate the adoption Of our mob
and glorious Constitution. Wei do | remcmb
it. II was enough to make Onion man of everl
body. IL passcd along the whole extent OF VI
streets. IL went from the extreme south, alOr
Third street, until II arrived at the extreme mort
and then went to Bush Ill., then the estate OF Nj
Hamilton, and upon his extensive and beauuf
D lawn were concluded the festivities Of that glorio
day. II use not too strong an expression, shou
say the sublime and poctica festivities Of that da
D Wcll, let me mention TO you what, in my boyi
b eyes, was the most impressive and singular objo
0 ia that grand and vast procession, II was a shi
rugged as a navy vessel, with leutcnsnts and mi
shipmen on board, with the aud STR pes lyir
, from her mast head Oh fellow citizens, ho
enblematic. how prophetic, were those stare al
stripes, and especially of the vast extent to whi'
the commerce Of this great nation was to grow Vi
: der the Union, as you have heard from the hr
distinguished speaker. How prophetic, how en-
bleinsuc Of the glory that wac TO be acquired
our Union. But let me mention to you what, a
4 ter all, was the most important item in this shi
and which is more Immediately applicable 70 o
: purpose-it her name--tbe "Uniop." IA
plsuse.
The "Union'' flew from her mast head. She h,
/, no other name. That was enough TO impress tt