Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-06-13
Earth In 1908 the pilarime Fathers landed a

Plymouth, a handful of oppressed humanity, seek
ing a spot however secluded from the balance OF
the world, where they might enjoy Political and re-
ligious freedom--where they might worship the God
of their choice under their own vine and fig tree,
and there should be to modest or make them
afraid The seeds of freedom, sown by these exllcd
patriarchs soon took root and extended into other
parts of the continent The offspring of this patr
otie band are soon found in conflict with the tyranny
of the mother country 1776 finds this indepen
dent republic, guarantying political and religious
freedom to all its citizens Since that period to the
present, the growth of the country has been almost
magical The thirteen original States embraced an
area of about $500 square miles. and contained
population of little three millions. not much
exceeding the present population of State,
and no more than equalng that of the great En-
pre. We now have thirty-one States and six Ter
ritories, with population of over twentythree mil
lions and ocean-boundary of over three millions
of square miles. This ratio of increase in popula-
ton up to the close of the present century would
give the United States population of $50 millions,
when perhaps our country will stand in advance of
any other civilized nation in point of wealth. com
merce and military proves. Even the great Bear
of the North, backed by his horde of seventy mil
lions, will look upon this picture with dismay. And
yet notwithstanding the extension of our territorial
limits the facilities for transporting persons and in
telligence have kept more than pace with our ex-
banded boundaries railroads and Geographic wires
the great extinguishers of time and space--are
constantly drawing these vast extremities into close
proximity, and promoting that intercourse between
citizens which is essential to their peace and
quiet, and efficient in removing prejudice and err
This retrospective view is almost startling
State after State has been added to the thirteen
original blocks of our national pyramid, until its
summit completely peers above the doubts and fears
OF friends and the eers and taunts of enemies abroad
1t stands like mighty monument to attest the abil
ity of man for selt-government-a beacon light to
the friends of liberty in all parts of the world-a
cloud by day and pillar of fire by night, to guide
on those patriotic spirits who still continue to strug
gle against the political hereses of the Old World
The American democracy have had something 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 princi piles
which constitute the great elements of national
success. While have no disposition at this time to
dsparage crtcse the policy of the organized OPP
position which has existed against this party,
cannot refrain from abiding to of the issues
between these parties, in which that opposition.
cording to the teachings of experience was most
emnently wrong, and the democracy right, to say
nothing of the differences in the organization OF the
government of the monstrosties committed under
the administration of the elder Adams and subse-
quently wiped out by MIR. Jefferson. Such the
case in the great struggle for the acquisition of
Louisiana--in the conflict about the war of 1872
and about the after it had been declaredin the
prostration of the United States Bank-in the estab
lishment of the sub-treasury--in resistance to the
creation of bank-in opposing the distribution
of the proceeds of the public landsn resisting the
adoption of the bankrupt LAWN the annexation of
Texas--n the with Mexico--in the acquisition
of California--n maintaining the just and constitu
tional rights OF all sections of the Union-and in ex
tending 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 those events and dongs, and to
the prosperity of the country when under their
charge, that the great democratic party Of the ma
ton appeal for vindicaton of its career, and
for evidence of the wisdom and justice of democratic
policy. These party differences, however my friends.
are not to be complained of They the legti-
mate offspring of republication Institutions
This opposition to the democratic party proceeds
from fellow citizens equally with interested
in the prosperity of the country and doubt equal
y anxious to promote what they conceive to be her
true interests.
The past history of the country is full of lessons of
wisdom and admonition, and he is a fool who will
not consult the teachings of experience The future
is bright and full of hope, thong not unclouded and
we should consult the past to learn how to remove
this small remaining cloud in the future The Or
deal in which glorious Union has been strug-
Cling for time past is not yet fully cleared
The distant notes of discomfort we still hear, like
the receding surges of mighty The haven of
safety is not fully attained on the one hand, nor has
the Rubicon been entirely passed the other. The
crisis is still critical, and calls for the exercise OF
great prudence, of SKILL of love- Of justice, and of
firmness on the part Of those who are now at the
helm of our ship of State If we'll directed she will
weather the storm; if unskilfuly managed. she may
possibly be stranded. Seventy-fve years ago she
was launched on the troubled Of political ex-
pertinent with half masts, shattered sides, open
seams tattered canvass with dissensOns in the crew
While thus weak. and her crew inexperienced. she
encountered the waves of pre- udice and doubt and
even and anon the mighty breakers of monarchical
hostility. Her very helm, and canvass, and crew.
are demanded by British insolence But she glldes
on and floats She next mounts the pillows OF
internal dissensOns fomented at Hartford the head
winds of notification threaten her with the loss OF
star from her flag. She next encounters the ad
verse winds and breakers of State rights, territorial
rights and extensions of slavery. The violence and
confusion of this storm we'll nigh unnamed her sea
men her canvass is fretted by the breeze, her ma
estc masts bow to the resstless winds, and her vast
proportions played with by the raging bilows.'
The alarm came-all hands to the was the
common cry and he who had heretofore rested or
his couch came, and he who had inclined to mutiny
came, and he who had differed with his fellowsaol
came. These all united their efforts; they subdued
and bound the dsobedient and turbulent of the
righted the masts ad listed the canvass, and gudec
the glorious old ship of State to the haven of safety
not quite She is in full view, however, 'masted
and canvassed, and tagged as vesse
seen before. Her sides are sound, her bottom wei
coppered, and her helm works we'll She extend:
her cable for the Shore and there is but bar anc
1 that sand bar, in the way of her approach. Who
| let me ask, with an American heart in him. viii
| stand by and see her stranded on this ! Who vii
not reach out his hand for that cable Who will
not sacrifice 1.-THE of his peculiar notions and in
terests to bring this glorious vessel safe into harbor
To maintain in good faith my fellow citizens, the