Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-09-25

aSNt NAH -. eiC PCOPiC VI INC dCS
will but yield obedience TO an imper
ative law of their condition-of their
fixed geographical position of an
overriding necessity. On the Other
hand, suppose, If such a supposition
be possible, discomfort were TO show
itself in the south, and an attempt
were made TO set up a southern OF
southwestern republic or empire,
blocking up the road to the port oI
New Orleans and the outlet into the
Gulf Of Mexico, can there be anv
doubt what the west would dol-
Again, the same imperative law of its
condition, Of its geographical position
of an overruling necessity would
force the united west to rally to the
Union. And, what must be cheer
ing and joyous reflection to every
lover Of his country who glories in
the greatness Of its destiny, who
sends up his prayers for its immortali-
ty, this law of necessity, this bond
OF union, will every day accumulate
new force and gain new strength
with the increasing millions in the
west, and with IFS still more rapidly
expanding intercourse both with the
north and the south. Sir, the child
is already born in that great valley
that will live TO see it inhabited by
more than a hundred millions of hu-
man beings, all subjects to this great
law Of necessity. Mr.. Chairman,
there never was a nation on the face
of the earth, that had within it such
a conservative power as must inevi-
tably grow up in the very heart Of
his republic-a central power so
and at the same time so
indissolubly united with the external
parts Of the empire--a power resting
not upon the laws of man for its ex-
istence but upon the law of nature,
OF an Indispensable geographical de-
tendency, OF permanent and in
creasing necessity, which therefore
must be as durable as time itself.
Mr.. Chairman, | am one of those
who have an abiding faith thai this
great conservative power will be true
to its trust. Communities, sir, like
individuals, have their destiny. With
either that destiny is but the neces-
sary result Of their position. To
preserve this Union, to make its ex-
istence immortal, is the high destiny
assigned by providence itself 10 this
great central power.
In their letter of address, which
accompanied the Transmission of the
United States to the congress of the
the convention say
that in all their deliberations they
kept steadily in view that which ap-
peared 10 them TO be the Creates;
Of every true American, "the
consolidation of our Union" To
attain this result, it is well known
that great and mutual concessions
were made in the spirit Of conclia-
ton and compromise on all sides.
There have lived in this nation, Mr..
Chairman, two men who have, in
my opinion, done more 10 consoli-
date the Union than the constitution,
and, had almost said, all the men
that made it. Each of them perlor-
med an act, the united influence Of
which has effected this great result.
The first in order of time was the
determined stand taken by John
Adams in negotiating the treaty of
peace with Great Britain by which
he obtained the upper lakes as the
boundary Of the United States, in
stead of the Ohio river, which it is
we'll understood would otherwise
lave been agreed upon. The other
lct was the acquisition OF Louisiana
,y Thomas Jefferson, which filled !
,ut and completed this great and
system Of natural rela-
ions and mutual dependencies be-
ween the west and all other parts Of
he Union. These two acts laid the
leep and broad foundation upon
which TO build up this great conser-
'ative power, in comparison TO
which the strength of written consti.
utions and artificial regulations are
'ut as ropes Of sand.
| am not quite sure, il the Ohio
ad been our boundary and our
riginal limits had otherwise remain
d unchanged, that the constitution
would have been strong enough to
eep the north and south from par
ing before now. But that danger
now past, or fast disappearing un-
er the increasing strength of this
power. The Union is
lst anchored upon it, and you car
OF break it from its moorings.-
and South Carolina, :
he north and the south, might, for :
ught know, find a dividing line S
lat would be mutually satisfactory I
, them; but, sir, they can find no {
lch line to which the western coun-
y can assent. Where would you I