Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-04

glna aud Massachusetts, as these principles pro-
claimed and sustained in the two great epochs in the
history OF our countryside Revolution and the adop.
tlon oil the present constitutional government. II
nave worked steadily TO his end, am thai, whe-
ther much has been done or little has been DONE it has
oeen directed towards good purpose. Loud ap-
piauseJ All that say to-day, and all that may say
on similar occasions, wish to be in the spirit OF Wash
lngton and Madison, Wythe and Pendleon, and the
prescribed patriots of Massachusetts Hancock aud Sa-
mue Adams. [ApplauseI If these and other great
founders of our liberty and fathers Of our Constitution
erred then have erred hen have been the most in
corrglble OF political sinners Laughter But they
were right, then venture to hope that am right also;
and neither prlncipaes nor powers, nor things pre-
sent things come, shall eradicate that hope from
my breast Loud and enthusiastic cheerng.]
The leading sentiment in the toast from the chair
IS the Union OF the States. The UNION OF TIE
STATES! What mind can comprehend the consequence
OF that Union, past, present and to come! The Union
OF these States is the all absorbing topic OF the day;
on it all men write, speak, think and dilate, from
the rising OF the sun to the going down there
OF. Applause And yet. gentlemen, | fear its i'm
portance has been but insutficeny appreciated. Like
all common blessings, however great, it has been OF
late years too little the subiec; of reflection The un
thinking and careless hardly take head ofhat atmos
phere which supports their lives from day TO day and
from hour TO hour. As the rises in the morning
follows It's track through the heavens and goes down
al night we notice its course enjoy its light and .heat,
and when we see it sink meath the western horizon,
we have no doubt do not think of the possibility that
may not appear for another day We are in no fear Of
pSpetuai ddrknesS or the return OF chaos. so is win
our political system under United Government and
National Constitution. To these most Of US were
born; we have lived under their daily blessings as if
nose blessings were not only matters of course, but
lmperlshabe also But, alas, gentlemen, human struc"
lures however strong, do not stand upon the everlas-
ting laws OF nature. They may crumbe theymay fall
ana republican institutions OF government will asuredly
sooner or later erumbe and tall if there shall not con.
tnue to be among the peooe an intelligent regard for
such Institutions, great appreciation OF their benefits
ana spirited purpose TO uphold and maintain them.
ana when they shall crumbe and fall the political ca
tastrophe will resemble that which would happen in the
natural world Were the sun to be struck out of heaven
III THIS Union were to be broken up by notification
separation secession or whatsoever event of equally
pulsVe name and character, chaos would come again.
and where all is now light and JOY and gadness there
would be spread over darkness like thafof Erebns
Yet, gentlemen, have little patience with those who
talk fippantly OF secession aud dsunion they do not
appearto me to understand of what they speak nor to
have the least idea OF its consequences. If they have
any meaning DO not Comprehend that meaning.--
would we be Tomorrow l think a state of things
would arise in which | should feel disposed to take
shelter IN the caverns OF the mountains or seek some
other place OF obscurity in which should not witness
the degradation and ruin OF the country. Every such
anticipation presents gloomy and horrible picture; it
Is vast Serbonian hog. | never saw happy man
mt unless he thought he was about getting out How
could man be happy in it hopel .ssly I'D to his mid.
die in mud? Great laughter Those who love the
Union ardently, and who mean to defend it gallanty
are happy cheerful with bright and buoyant hopes for
the uture and full ofmanly rmuess and resolution But
secess n and disunon are region of gloom and mo-
rass and swamp; cheerful breezes fan it, no spirit
ofheallh visits it it is all malaria 1t is al fever and
ague. Laughter and great applause Nothing beau
ful or useful grows in it; the traveller through
breathes masma, and treads among every thing un-
wholesome and loathsome 1t is like The region of
your great Dismal Swamp;it is all
"Tanged juniper, beds of weeds,
With many fen where the serpent feeds
And man never trod BEFORE" Laughter
For one, have no desire to breathe sucl an air. or
to have such footing for my waks. Applause.
Gent emen, am AWAKE that the respect paid to me
to-day is in consequence omy support Of the adjustment
measures OF the last Congress. Although wished to
raise no false alarm, create any fears yet believe
in my conscience that crisis at hand; dangerous
fearful crisis; and resolved meet it at any hazard
and with whatever strength possessed. A true patriot
like faithful mariner, must be prepared for all exgen-
cies; in the words oftle old song