Southern shield., 1850-09-21
Patriotic Sentime ent.


 Taylor, delivered in Memphis on the 3lst of August, which we particularly commend to the perusal of our readers. These re- marks are peculiarly adapted to the present exciting times, when dsunion is ready to raise its hydra head in this happy and pros porous country:
 Fe5l0,U- CitjzenS:-I cannot permit the present occasion 10 pass without bringing 10 your notice, in an especial manner, the fact that all the most remarkable men of our country have been distinguished for their devotion to the Union. Washington, whose 1 clear and powerful judgment, if not genius, was greater than genius, gave all the force l of his intellect to the medication of its value. He had witnessed the first dawnings of Colonial resistance to British tyranny. He had led our revolutionary armies to victory, and knew all the dangers and difficulties of the tremendous struggle. He followed the star of freedom as it broke through the red cloud of war, until it shone in splendor upon disenthralled land He then watch ed over the birth of new government un- precedented in its form and character; and brought to his great task virtue which had stood the force of every human test. Aided by the light of the most profound and con- prehcnsive genius of bis time, he surveyed the forms of Liberty as they had existed in the rude or classic, in the barbarous, or more polished periods of the world. From this experience, wisdom and sagacity of bis age. praug the admirable system of government which we now enJoy. In all that system Washington pronounced its most solid feature to be-the Union. "Iti of infinite moment that you should proper y estimate the immense value of your na- 1 tional Union, to your collective and indi-
 vidual happiness; that you should cherish l cordial, habitual, and immoveable attach ment to ii; accustoming yourselves 10 think and speak of it as the palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for it's preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can, in any event, be abandoned; and indignantly trowning upon the first daWning of every attempt 10 aIienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeebIe the sacred ties which now link together the various parts."
 The language of Gen. Jackson is not less emphatic: "lt is no longer a question wheth- CT this great country can remain happily united and flourish under our present form of government. At every hazard and by every sacrifice, this Union must be preserved"
 Gen. Taylor in his annual message, thus speaks: "For more than half century, during which kingdoms and empires have fallen, this Union has stood unshaken. The patriots who formed it have long since de- scended to the grave; yet still il remains, the first monument to their memory, and the object of admiration and affection with every one worthy to bear the name of American. * x Whatever dangers may threaten it, shall stand by it and maintain it in its integrity 10 the full extent of the obligations imposed and the power conferred on me by the constitution" And whose are the eloquent voices that we now hear bidding US to cherish, venerate and uphold these lessons? On this occasion, indeed on all occasions, 1 scorn and trampe under foot the miserable cant of the parti- san which tries the opinions of public men by the invdious test of their political creeds l shall speak of the great men of the land as they merit, without reference to party or geographical distinctions. Wherever find high, or the highest, order of genius, as- sociated with public virtue and eminence, l respect it, honor it, hold it up to the gratitude and admiration of the country It is immatorial to me whether Northern or Southern sun may have warmed it into life, activity and power. Whose, then, are the thrilling voices that we so often hear in support and defence of the Union? Fore most in this noble strife is Henry Clay. Ardent and impetuous in his nature, occa- sionaIly hash and arbitrary, if you will, in the heat and violence of political collision, yet do we see him, in all the towering mag nanimity of his genius, clinging to the Union as the last hope and shield of the Republic. Despise all the wisdom of the past as weI may, desecrate the glorious temple of humanI rights as we may, all coming generations shall remember, that for more than thirty years, that temple was lit up by the mex tnguishable fire of the genius and eloquenceI of the great Western Orator. Equal, if not greater, III the dePth ana lorce, and grasp of his intellectual energies, stands Daniel Webster. Who can follow his ma jestic reason, measuring thought, with the stride of giant, who can read his glowingI apostrophes to the bright gories of the Past, to the brighter gIories of the Future, to Liberty, to the Constitution, to the UNION, 1 and as a man not feel proud of human na- ture, as the patriot, not feel prouder of his country! This great fabric of American valor and patriotism may fall, altar and pillar may go down, the very name Re- frooo bo booo