Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-11

and for Just conceptions of his own duty Of all i'm
porant questions therefore, let this the most important
Of all, be first asked and first answered: in what
try oil the habtable GLOBE of great extent and large
population, are the means OF knowledge the most gene
ially ditfused and enjoyed among the people This
question admits OF one, and only one, answer. Ii is
here; is here in these United States is among the
descendants OF those who settled at Jamestown; OF
those who were pilgrims the shore Of Plymouth; and
OF those other races OF men, who subsequent times,
have become joined in this great American family
Let one fact incapable OF doubt dispute, satisfy every
mind on this point. The population OF the United
States 1873 100000. Now take the map of the cont-
nent OF Europe and spread it out before you. Take
your scale and your divlders and lay on one area in
any shape please, triangle, square, circle, para
Telegram or trapezo d, and OF extent that shall
contain $50 5000 OF people, and there will be found
within the United States more persons who do hsbitu
ally read and write than can be embraced within the
lines OF your demarcation.
But there is something even more than this. Man
is not only intellectual but he is also religious
being, and his religious feelings and habits require cul
tivation.
Let the religious element in mans nature be neglect
ed, let him be Influenced by no higher motives than
low sefnteest and subjected to no stronger restraint
than the limits OF civil authority, and he becomes
the creature of selfish passions and blind fauatcism.
The spectacle of nation powerful and enlightened
but without christian faith has been presented almost
within our own day, as warning beacon for the ma
lions.
On the other hand the cultivation of the religious
sentiment represses RIGHTEOUSNESS, inctes to gene
raj benevoence, and the practical acknowledgment OF
the brotherhood OF man, inspires respect for law and
order and gives strength to the whole social fabric, at
the time that ii conducts the human soul upward
to the author of its being.
Now, think 1t may be stated with TRUTH that in no
country, in proportion to its population, there
many benevolent establishments connected with re
gious insructionBble Missionary, and trac societies
supported by public and private conrbulionsas in our
own. There are also institutions for The education
otthe blind. the deaf and the dumb of idiots; for the
reception of orphan and destitute children for moral
reform, designed for children and ema es, Respectively
institutions tor the reformation of criminals not TO
speak othose numerous establishments in almost every
county and town in the Unised States for the reception
of the aged, inrm, and destitute poor, many Of whom
have fled to shores to escape the poverty and
wretchedness of their condition at home.
In the United States there is church establish
ment ecclesiastical authority founded by Government
Public worship is Maintained either by voluntary
Citations and contributions by trusts and donations
OF a charitable origin.
Now, Il nix it safe TO say that greater portion of
the peorle of the United States attend public wor-
ship, deceny clad, we'll bshayed and we'll seated than
OF any other country OF the civilized world
Edifices otregon are seen everywhere. Their aggre-
gate cost would amount TO an immense sum of money.
They are, in the general kept in good repair and
secraed TO the purposes OF public worship In these eai
hces the people regularly assemble the Sabbath oay
which IS sacredy set apart for rest by all classes from
secular employment, and for religious meditation and
worship to listen 10 the reading Of the Holy Scriptures
and dlscourses from pous ministers OF the several de-
nominations.
This attention to the of the intellect and of the
soul as manifested by the voluntary support of schools
and colleges OF churches and benevolent institutions is
one OF the most remarkable characteristics of the Anne
flcan people, not less strkingly exhibited in the
than in the older settlements Of the country.
On the spot where the first trees of the forest fell
ed the leg cabins of the pioneers, be seen
rising together the church and the school house. Soas
it been from the beginning and God grant that IL may
thus continual
%ron other shores, above their Wondering towns,
in suen pomp the tall cathedral frowns
SjmDe oyyly loo fhrov
Their slender shadows the paths below;
Scarce steals the wind that sweeps the woodland
track,
The archs perfume from the settlers axe,
Ere, like vision of the morning air,
His slight framed steeple marks the house Of prayer
Yet Faiths pure hymn beneath its shelter rude,
Brea'hes out as sweetly to the tangled wood,
As where tn rays through blazing oriels pour
On marble shaft and tesseIlatcd floor"
Who does not admit that this unparalleled growth of |
prosperity and renown s the result, under Providence,
Of the Union of these States under general Consttu
on, which guarantees to each State republican form
Of Government, and to every man the enjoyment of
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness free from civil
tyranny or ecclesiastical domination
To bring home this idea to the present OCCASION who
does not feel that, when President Washington laid his
hand on the foundation OF the first Capitol building he
performed great work of perpetuaon of the Union |
and the Constitution Who does not feel that this seat of
he General Government healthtul in its situation,
ra its position near the mountains from whence push
springs of wonderful virtue, teemng with Natures |
richest products and yet not far from the bays and the
great estuares OF the easily accessible and gener
ally agreeable in climate and association, does give
strength to the Union OF these States; that this city,
bearing an immortal name, with its broad stree and |
avenues, its public squares and magnificent edces of
he General Government, erected tor the purposes OF
carrying on within them the important business of the
several Departments; for the reception of wonderful
and curious Inventions the preservation OF the records
u American learning and genius, OF extensive collec
ions OF the products OF nature and art brought hher
or study and comparison from all parts of the world;
adorned with numerous churches, and sprnkled over
am happy to say, with many public schools. where all
children OF the city, without distinction, are provided
with the means OF obtaining good education; where
here academies and colleges, professional schools
and public libraries, should continue receive has
heretofore received the fostering of Congress- and
houd be regarded as the permanent seat OF the National
government Here, too, citizen OF the great repub
ic Of letters republic which knows not the metes and
pounds OF political geography, has indicated propheti-
,ay his conviction that America is to exercise wide
and powerful influence in the intellectual world, and
therefore has founded in this city. as a commanding
position in the field OF science and literature, and has
aced under the guardianship OF the Government, an
Institution tor the increase and diffusion OF knowledge
among men,
With each succeeding year new interest is added to
Inc spot; 1t becomes connected with all the historical
OF country with her statesmen and her
orators, and alas! its cemetery is annually enriched
With the ashes OF her chosen sous.
Before US Is the broad and beautiful river separating
wo of the original thirteen States and which late
President, man OF determined purpose and inhexble |
will, but patriotic heart desired to span with arches OF
granite. symbocal of the firmly cement
ed union Of the North and the South. That President
was Gen. Jackson.
On its banks repose the ashes of the Father of hi,
Country, and at side by singular felicity of posi-
ton, overlooking the city which he designed and which |
bears his name, rises TO his memory the marble column
sublime IN It's simple grandeur, and fifty intended to
reach lotier height than any similar structure the
surface of the whole earth.
Lei the votve ofe ngs of his grateful countrymen be
RELY contributed to carry higher and still higher this
May say, as on another occasion, "Let
rise; let it rise, till it meet the sun in his coming let
he earliest light of the morning gid it, and parting day
inger and play its summit"
Fellow. citizens, what CONCENTRATIONS are awakened |
n our minds as we assemble here to re-enact scene
ike thai performed by Washington! MethnksI see
glorious statue by Houdon, now in The capitol of Vir
yna. He is dignied and grave: but concern and anx-
ETY. to soften the lineaments OF his countenance
The Government over which be nresdas is vat in the