Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1851-11-20
Mr.. CROCKETT'S ADDRESS.
Delivered at Hannibal, Nov. Sd, at the
Rail Road Convention.

Mn. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
When any great enterprise is about to be
entered upon, which, in its results, is TO
ameliorate the conditions Of people, either
by improving its morals, increasing its intel
ligence, or adding to its physical comforts, i
is eminently proper that the commencement
of such work should be commemorated
with appropriate ceremonies. In ancient
times, when nation was about to engage in
battle, it sought to propitiate the favor Of
the gods by splendid oblations, and at this
day the Indian tribes, when preparing for
war, seek to nerve their arms for the contest
by celebrating their victories in advance
But it is TO anticipated achievement in arms,
no victory to be hereafter won over q con-
quered foe, no feat of military prowess 10 be
hereafter celebrated in story and in song, that
has called together this large audience. The
time has been when the glory of nation
was reckoned by the trophies which it had
won in battle-when chief magistrates had
no other ambition, than to extend their do
minion and perpetuate their power with the
sword, when the only road to fame lay across
desolated fields and conquered provinces
when the loltiest aim of human ambition
seemed to be to imbrue the earth with gore,
and to revel amidst the tears of widowed
wives and orphaned children.
The time has been when military prowess
was the only road TO preferment, and lie was
most honored who had the strongest arm and
the greatest amount Of mere physical cour-
age. AS human nature is now constituted.
perhaps the time will never come,
when mankind will cease to be captivated
with the glare of military renown. The nod
ding plume, the gittering sabre, the loud
mouthed cannon, the soul-stirring drum and
ear-piercing fife, the ''pomp and circum-
stance of glorious war;" will forever move
the hearts of men and claim their passionate
admiration. God has doubtless implanted
these feelings in the human heart for wise
and noble purposes; they stimulate us 10
deeds of noble daring, and when employed
for legitimate ends, are worthy Of the admi-
ration they excite. History has furnished
lis with many illustrious examples wherein
the most brilliant qualities of the military
chieftain have been united with the more
solid, though less showy virtues of the pa
triot and the sage. Such men combine il
the highest possible degree, all the qualities
which command respect and claim the hom.
age of mankind. But, whilst he who draws
his sword, and wields it with strong arm
: and q valiant heart in defence of his coun.
try or in vindication its honor, is eminent.
ly entitled to the gratitude of his country.
men, and he admiration of mankind, hold
that he, who in the peaceful walks of life
, originates or executes great schemes O.
social reform, wherby his fellow-men ar,
j elevated in morals, or improved in physica
comfort is in a far greater degree entitled tC
be regarded as public benefactor. OF al
the distinguished military heroes, who's
names adorn the page of history, not one ha
: conferred such blessings on mankind as ou
own immortal Washington. He led his coun
p trymen TO victory over an insolent and haugh
ty foe, only to teach them moderation in tn
hour of triumph; he released them frcm tn
dominion of foreign prince, only that the,
II might practice the difficult art of governing
their own passions. He made his countr,
free, that it might forever remain beacon
light 10 other nations, guiding their step
from the darkness of despotism, TO the ligl
of rational and well ordered liberty. II
y has, therefore, conferred incalculable bless
ings not only upon his own country, bu
= upon mankind at large. And yet it ma
well be doubted, whether even TO Washing
ton, the world owes SO heavy debt of graf
lie itude, as TO Fulton, to Arkwright, TO Faus
s,ee and TO various other eminent inventors, VIII
Of have stimulated industry in a thousan
os channels, and multiplied thousand fo!d tn
means of human enjoyment. Ofall the wal
eS riors whose fame has filled the world, M
poeon stands unrivalled for his skill
arms--for consumate generalship-for ii
number and brilliGncy of his viciories-ft
the vastness of his genius-and the prodil
~ ~ ious influence which he exerted upon the az
or in which he lived, and yet how poor is h
ps Us fame, how ptiful in lis results, how col
is, temptible his life, for all purposes of pra
teal good, compared with that of the POI
- obscure German, who discovered the art
printing. The Duke of Wellington, the he
,0t of Waterloo, the conqueror of Napoleon, y
Of lives to enjoy the rewards of his splend
ill IT,. H. ~ - -.