The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-28

for sixty years has kept the country with all its conflict
ing elements, m state OF prosperity beofe equal
led in the world we shall commit folly for which the
language we speak has no name-against which, ii we,
rational beings should fail to protest. the dumb stones OF
yonder monument would Immediately cry out in con-
demnailon.
Friends and fellow-ciiizens, we live at an eyentul
PERIOD Mighty changes in human affairs OF daily
occurrence al home and abroad In Europe the strongest
governments are shaken; the pillars OF tradition, rooted
I'D he depths OF antiquity, are heaved from their bases
and that fearful OF opinion, long foretoa,
Slng with various fortune from Lisbon TO Archangel,
Have you not noticed that in the midst OF the perpexy
and dlsmayof the visions and the hopesof the crisis
the thoughts OF men have been turned more and more 10
what has passed and what is passing in America They
are looking anxousy to us for lessons OF practical
Ieedomior The solution OF that great mystery OF State
that the strongest government that which, with the
least array 81 force y deepest seated u the welfare and
affections Of the people The friends OF republican gov
enment in France tainted with the mpossibty OF ma
king such government efficient and respectable point
to example the sufficient Austria, break
ing down beneath the burden OF her warning races, oilers
them too late federal constitution, modelled on ot own
and even in England, from which the original elements
OF our free institutions derived, scarce debate
arises in Parliament on an important question, without
reference to the experience OF the United States The
constitutional worship OF mankind is reversed they turn
their faces to the West Hapfs for them-happy for US
should they behold naught in this country to dsappont the
hopes OF progressto discourage the friends OF freedom
to strengthen the OF the oppessor And may God grant
that those who look to for guidance and encourage
ment may be able to transplant the germs OF constitn
clouds which now darken the horizon OF Europe may be
cleared away, and the long deferred hopes OF the eads
OF freedom be fulfilled
But chiefly let us trust that the principles Of our ia
theirs may more and more prevail throughout our be-
loved country. We have erected noble monument 10
their memory; but shall not have performed all our
duty, unless we catch ourselves some portion OF their
spirit o. that the contemplation OF their bright exam
pie and pure fame might elevate minds above the
selfish passions, the fierce contentious and the dark fore
holdings OF the day We need the spirit OF rs to guide
us safely amidst the dizzy activities OF the times While
our numbers increasing in unexamped ratio,
Europe is pouring in upon hundreds OF thousands an
nualy, and regions added to our domain, which
we are obliged to count by degrees Of latitude and ong
tude In the time, the most wonderful discoveries
OF art and the most mysterious powers OF nature com.
bne to give almost fearful increase to the intensity OF
our existence Machines of unexampled complication
and ingenuity have been applied to the whole range OF
human industry rush across the land and the sea
by steam; correspond by magnetism we paint by the
solar ray we count the beats Of the electric clock at
the distance OF thousand miles; annhlate time and
distances and amidst all the agencies of communica
ton and action the omnpotent press the great engine OF
ing power from all the arts, is daily clothing itself
with louder thunders While contemplate with adj
miraton, almost with awe, the mighty influences which
surround us. and which demand our co, operation and
our guidance, let our hearts overflow with gratitude to
the patriots who have handed down to this great in
heritance Let strive TO furnish ourselves, from the
storehonse of their example, with the principles and
virtues which will strengthen for the performance of
honored part this ustrous stage Let pure patriot
the continent together; and as Intelligence shoots with
electric spark from to ocean, let public spirit and
love OF country catch from heart to heart.
This is indeed strain Of genuine eloquence Where
the American who has not the heart to feel proud Of
such country--such institutions he enjoysand OF
the elevated destiny which she has already reached and
OF the still higher glory to which she is rising. if he
sons sh oud not idly, fooshly, mady cast it away p
UsIosl