Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1851-07-26

NUMBER 20
Prevent the long aim'd blow.

| Ger thrones and globes etate
Sit. empress, crowhing g6od-rsPfessing I'LL,
And, finally, another most important part
of the great fabric of American liberty is that
there shall be written constitutions. founded
on the immediate authority Of the people
themselves, and regulating and restraining all
the powers conferred upon government,
whether legislative, executive or judiciary
This, fellow citizens, suppose to be Just
summary of our American principles; and
have, on this occasion, sought TO express them
| in the plainest, and in the fewest words. The
summary may not be entirely exact; but
hope it may be sufficiently so to make mani-
fest to the rising generation among ourselves,
and to those elsewhere, who may choose to
inquire into the nature of our political institus
tions, and the general theory upon which they
are founded. And now proceed to add; that
the strong and deep settled conviction Of all
intelligent persons amongst us is, that in or
der to support useful and wise government
upon these popular principles, the general eds
ucation of the people. and the wide diffusion
of pure NOR atty and true religion are indis-
pensable, Individual virtue is part Of pub
lie virtue.
1t is difficult to conceive how there can re-
main morality in the government when il shall
cease to exist among the people; or how the
aggregate of the political institutions, all the
organs of which consist only of men, should
be wise and beni6cent and competent to in
1 spire confidence, if the opposite qualities be-
long to those individuals who constitute those
organs, and make up that aggregate. And
now, fellow citizens. take leave Of this part of =
the duty which ] proposed to perform, and
once more felicitating you and myself that our
eyes have seen the light of this blessed morn-
ing, and that our ears have heard the shouts
with which Joyous thotisands welcome its re-
turn and joining with you in the hope that
Ievery revolving year shall renew their rejoice
ings to the end of time, proceed TO address
you upon the particular oce aston OF our assem-
bling here to-day.
Fellow Citizens: By the act Of Congress
of Soth September, 1850, provision was made
for the extension of the Capitol, according to
such plan as might be approved BY the Pres
: ident of the United States, and the necessary
sums to be expended under bis direction, BY
such architect as he might appoint This
measure was imperatiyely demanded for the
! use Of the Legislature and judicial Depart
Iments, public Libraries and the occasional ac-
commodation of the Chief Executive Magis-
trate, and other objects. No act of Congress-
incurring large expenditure, has received
more general appreciation from the people
The President has proceeded TO execute the
4 law. He has approved a plan-he has ap-
q pointed an architect, and all things are now
ready for the commencement Of the work
!. The Anniversary of our National Independ-
ence appeared to afford an auspieious occasion
!, for laying the foundation stone of the adds
Z tohal building. That ceremony has now been
: performed by the President himself ih the
presence and view of this multitude. Hehas
!. Thought that the day and the occasion made q
= united and imperative call fora short address 70
:, the people here assembled and il is at his re-
: quest that have appeared before Jou to pef=
form that part Of the duty which was deemed
: incumbent on us. Beneath the stone is de.
posted among other things, list Of which will
= be published, the following brief account Of
: the proceedings Of the day, in my hand
writing:
/, On the morning Of the first day Of the sev-
: ehty sixth year of the Independence Of the
" y United States Of America, in the city Of Wash
= ), ington, being the 4th day Of July; 1851; this
: stone; designed as the corner stone Of the ex-
4 tension of the Capitol, according to aplan ap-
:, proved by the President in pursuance Of an
act of Congress; WAS laid BY Millard Fillmore,
= President Of the United States, assisted BY the
:, Grand Master of the Masonic Lodges IN the
- presence of many members Of Congtess; OF
=, officers of the exeeutice and judiciary departs
y - 1ents, National, State and District; of officers
- of the Army and Navy; the corporate authoTi-
:; tiessof this and neighboring cities; many assU=
! Citations, civil and military, and masonic; o-
/ GERS of the Smithsonian institution and Ma
= : tional Institute, professors of colleges, and
- teachers of schools Of the district with stu-
- dents and pupils; a vast concourse of people
~ from places near and remote, including afeW
IS surviving gentlemen; who Witnessed the laying
- of the corner stone of the Capitol By President
- Washington; on the 18th day of September,
: seventeen hundred and ninety three If
therefore, it shall be hereafter the viii of God
that this structure shall fall from its base; that
i its foundations be upthrned and the deposite
- beneath this stone brought to the eyes of men
pf be it then known that, on this day, the Union
- of the United States of America stands firm
A. that their constitution still exists unimpaired
80 and with all its original usefulness and glory
:, growing every day stronger and stronger Il
n the affections of the great body of the Amer
ns lean people, and attracting more and more
- - the admiration ofthe world. And all here as
"a sembled, whether belonging to public life o.
- to private life; with hearts devoutly Thankful
-, - to Almighty God for the preservation Of lib
Ied crty and happiness of the country, unite /
~ sincere and fervent prayers that this deposit
80. and the walls and arches, the domes and TOW
III ers, the columns and entablathtes, now to b
- erected over il, may endure forever.
u" ~. God save the United States of America
~ DANIEL WEBSTER,
Re Secretary of State
D a Fellow Citizens: Fifty eight years ag
or Washington stood on this spot to execute
no similar duty to that which has now been pei
and formed. He then laid the cofhef stone of Ii
ele- original Capitol He was at the head of th
for Governments at that time weak IN resource
ent burdencd with debt, just struggling into poll
by ical existence, and agitated by the heavih
ibie waves which were overtuthing Europes
otir thrones. But even then. in many importal
respects, the Governments was strong 1t vi