The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-07-12

NSPNAS' lC 1AllI AOCA ~ Which, VIZ
had been firmly anchored for sixty
three years seemed TO be moving; theI
it was our great patriots of state wht
sprang to the rescue. High and cleaI
rang their clarion notes above the angry
roar OF the mad elements: "Abide by
your Constitution, or al! is LOST To the
south, be ye moderate--to the north, be
ye JuSt~ The nation listened! The
nation looked! The compromise, that
rainbow of promise, was seen--the
winds were lulled-the storm died
away-and here we stand this day, an
chored as safely as ever to that firm
rock OF our Constitution. Say not then
the issue came too soon /: for when, to
ths names OF the illustrious dead, shall
be added those of a Henry Clay, a
Daniel Webster, a Lewis Cass, and
their peers; when these great lights OF
liberty shall have dropped from the
armament of their earthly glory, who
that loves this Union would not tremble
to see those perils renewed.
Let us now, ladies and gentlemen, in
dulge ourselves in the pleasing recrea-
tion of glancing at some of those causes
which, by their natural tendencies, will
serve to promote the perpetuation of
these United States. To US is commit
ted the solemn charge-the glorious
task of handing down to those who are
to come after us, the richest legacy
ever bequeathed from sires to sons
We cannot conceal from ourselves-in-
deed it would be folly in US to do So
that there does exist discordant elements
in the republic, requiringsthe exercise
of that eternal vigilance which we are
taught to believe is the price of liberty.
But, on the other hand, there are causes
moving steadily ON which cannot fail
to lend their cementing influence on
our destinies as people. But before
all causes, and high above everything
else, is firm reliance on that Being
who Graded our liberty and who has
ruled our destiny, and given us the
strength of our manhood If our eyes
are not closed to the pages of the past,
we must know that our future glory or
shame will be as we remember or forget
our nations God. Second only to this is
determination on the part of all con-
cerned to live or die by our Constitu-
tion--faithfully to abide by and firmly
to enJoin Its mandates, as expounded by
the highest judicial tribunal known to
our land. This will ever be found our
surest guarantee of success. Let each
and every portion of this wide spread
confederaey know that this is the rock
on which each other stands, and our
firm foundation will never be removed.
And how are we to know? Where is
The watch tower from whence is to
come the first alarm of the most distant
langer2 Where could it be but in the
universal spread of knowledge.
Education! that mighty lever of the
human mind-it stands confessed be-
iore the world, our proudest boast, the
,nly safe anchorage to which we are
willing to entrust our future destiny
However widely American feelings
nay diverge; however high their pas
;ions may rage under diverse apprehen-
,ions of their own rights and interest;
IN this broad level we all meet, and
proclaim this to be that fiery pillar"
which is TO move on before our future,
ind throw its broad glare wherever our
Eagle spreads her pinions, leaving no
lark corner in which to cover lurking
oe to our safety.
Knowing this, then, to be the great
,reastwork of American liberties, how
that every father in the land
hould have deeply engraven on his
'wn mind the impressive truth that the
'xtent and duration of the blessings so
much enjoyed by him will depend on
he amount of education which can be |
Infused into the mind of his child. But |
ur task in this ends not here, for in the |
workings of our destiny as nation it |
$ made matter of self defence with |
s-as to neglect it would be nothing
sss than national suicide-to educate
hat never-ceasing tide of immigration
Jhich is pouring in upon US. And so
ong as our ports are open to a home
eeking world, so long must the genius
our Liberties point to the school l-houses
S our only protection from ignorance.
1t is proud truth for American ears
lat though almost in our infancy in age
mong the nations of the earth, not one
them all is doing so much for the
of this holy cause as ours.
Vhen the seeds of knowledge, now
eing sown broadcast over our land,
hall have taken deep root in our gen.
IL r