The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-06-12

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high trust for which you have nam ed me If viii
be my special pride and ambition. as If viii he
my duty, as far in me lies, to relieve our rood
old Commonwealth of her present burthens. IN
husband her means and guard her honor. Trpe
am not of that school of political philosonbv y
which teaches the doctrine that the people can be
made rich and the country prosperous bv mere
acts of Legislation, or that the wealth of tho
country is to be measured by the paper money
which may be thrown into circulation All er
perlence has demonstrated, in this country. as
well as in others, the fallacy of this doctrine
and proven that superabundance of this latter
element never fails to mislead the productive in
dusuy OF the country, and to be followed by the
most baneful consequences to society. | think
the wealth of our country consists in the enerpv
enterprise and labor of the people and the nro
ductions of soil under the genial influence of
our climate. To give the industrial interests of
the country, therefore, untramelled action with
1alr facilities for developing the resources of the
state, with sound currency and such other re-
sulcnve measures as will guard labor a aeainst the
enbroachments of capital, is about all that can
be done by Legislation. 1t may answer the mr.
pose OF the demagogue to profess to accomplish
mhch more, out the heresy IS too transparent to
ms!ead even the most dull of comprehension
May L now call your attention, for a few mo-
ments to our common country This continent
seems to have been reserved by Providence as
the theatre on which to prove mans ability for
sell government. This great problem has been
fully solved, and during the experiment the
friends OF Legitimacy on the Eastern Continent.
have looked on with fear and TREMBLING Not
only has this great truth been established nv
our experiment, but in its progression it has
dealt out greater degree of prosperity to the
people ana a greater aggregate of happiness to
IapoflnS masses, and greater rapidity of
growth, and Improvement to the country, than
mas ever marked the career of any other nation
on the face OF the earth. In 1908, the first
colony was planted in Virginia, and in 1920
the Pilgrim Fathers landed at Plymouth
handful OF oppressed humanity, seeking SPOT.
however secluded from the balance of the world
Whefe they might enjoy political freedom
Nhefe they might worship the God of their
cholce under their own vine and fig tree and
there should be none to molest or make them
afraid. The seeds of freedom, sown by these
excited Patrlarchs, soon took root and extended
into other parts of the continent The offspring
OF TINS patriotic band, are soon found in conflict
with the tyranny Of the mother country l776I
hnds this an Independent Republic guarantee
ing political and religious freedom to all its
cluzens. Since that period to the present, the
growth OF the country has been almost magical
The 10 original States, embraced an area of
about 5oO, 700 square miles, and contained a
population of a little over three millions, not
much exceeding the present population of our
own State, ana no more than equaling that of
the great Empire. We now have thirtv-one
States and SIX territories, with population of
over twenty-three millions and an ocean bonn
dary of over three millions of square miles
This ratio of increase in population up to the
the close of the present century, would give the
United States a population of 130 millions
When perhaps, our country viii stand in advance
OF any other civilized nation, in point of wealth
commerce and military prowess. Even the
great Bear OF the North, backed by his horde
= ,f1v, H..
with dlsmay. And yet, notwithstanding the
extension OF territorial limits the facilities
for transporting persons and intelligence has
Kept more than pace with our expanded boun-
darles, railroads and telegraph wires-the GREAT
eAunSushers OF time and space, are constantly !
drawing these vast eXtremities into close prox-
unity, and promoting that intercourse between
our citizens which is so essential to their peace
and quiet, and so efficient in removing preiu-
dice and error. This Retrospective view is al |
most startling. State after State has been ad- |
ded to the IL original Blocks of our National !
[ yramld, until Its summit completely peers
above the doubts and fears of friends and the |
Ieers and taunts Of enemies abroad II stands |
ike mighty monument to attest the ability of
man Tor self Goyernment,-a beacon light to the |
friends OF human liberty in all parts Of the
world-a cloud by day and pillar of fire bv
oy night, to guide on those patriotic spirits, |
who stll continue to struggle against the po-
The American Democracy have had some
thing to do with the foundation and progress of
this mighty structure. The great Democratic
party, more than any other, have appreciated
the true destiny of our country, and favored
those progressive principles which constitute
the great elements of our national success
While have no disposition at this time to dis
parage or critisise the policy of the organized |
opposition which has ever existed against this I
party, cannot refrain from alluaip~e 4, -sso,,o
of the issues between these parties. in which
.hat opposl'lonj5 according to the teachings of
oaperleHsSe was most eminently wrong and the I
Democracy right to say nothing of the differ
ences in the organization of the Government, or
of the monstrocitieS committed under the adj |
of the elder Adams, and subse- |
quently wiped out by Mr.. Jefferson. Such was !
the case in the great struggle for the acquisi-
ton of Louisiana-in the conflict about the war
of 1872, and about the war after it had been |
the prostration of the United States
Bank-in the establishment of the Sub-Treasury
in resistance to the creation of a new Bank-in !
opposing the distribution of the proceeds of the
public lands-in resisting the adoption of the |
law; in the annexation of Texas; in |
the with Mexico; in the acquisition of Cali
fornia in maintaining the just and constitution
al ri ghts of all sections of the Union and extern
ding equal encouragement and protection to all |
the great interests of the country, and to all !
classes of the people, with exclusive privileges
to none. 1t is to the history of these events
and doings, and to the prosperity of the coun-
try when under their charge, that the great
Democratic party of the nation can appeal for
vindlcauon of Its career, and for evidence of the
wisdom and justice of Democratic policy. These
party differences, however, my friends are not