The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-08

emnence whose original oaks OF the forest stand as
thick around him il the spot had been devoted 10 Oru-
ideal worship, and here he performs The appointed duty
OF the day.
And now, fellow citizens, if this vision were a re-
aity, if Washington actually amongst US, and
he could draw around him the shades OF the great
public OF his days, patriots aud warriors, ora
tors and statesmen, and were TO address in their
presence, would he not say 10 us:
"Ye men of this generation, rejoice and thank
Tod Tor being able 10 see that our laboIs, and
tolls. and sacrifices, not in vain. You are
prosperous, you are happy, you are grateful, The
IRE OF liberty burns brightly and steadily IN your
hearts, while and the restrain il from
bursting iorlh IN wild and destructive confagration
Cherish liberty as you love ii cherish its securities as
which we abored 80 painfully to establish and which
has been TO you such source OF ineslimabe blessings
Preserve the Union OF the States, cemened il by
our prayers, tears, and blood Be TO God
to your country and to your duty. So shall the whole
eastern world follow the morning 10 contemplate you
as nation shall all ling generations honor
you they honor and so shall that Almighty Power
which so graciousy protected us, and which pro-
tecs you shower lis everlasting blessings upon you and
your posteriiy."
words we feel their force if you uttered
them with lips of flesh and blood Your example teaches
us. your aectionale addresses teach US, your public
life teaches of the value OF the blessings
of the Union Those blessings our fathers have tasted,
and we have tasted and still taste. Nor do we intend
that those who come after US shall be denied the same
cerned We cannot, we dare not, we will not betray
our sacred trust. We will not fitch from posterity the
treasure placed in hands to be transmitted to other
generations The bow that glds the clouds in the heav
ems, the pillars that uphold the hImanen may disappear
and fall away in the hour appointed by the will of
God but until that day comes or SO long as our lives
may last, ruthless hand shall undermine that bright
arch of Union and Liberty which spans the continent
from Washington to California.
Fellow citizens, we must sometimes be tolerant to
folly and patient at the sight OF the extreme wsyward
OF men; but confess that when reflect on the
nown OF our past history, on our present prosperity and
greatness and on what the future hath yet 10 unfold and
when see that there who can find in all this
nothing good, nothing valuable, nothing truly glorious,
feel thai all their reason has fled away from them, and
left the entire control their judgment and their actions
insane folly and anacism; and more than all, fellow
citizens, if the purposes OF fanatics and dsunionsts
should be accomplished, the patriotic and intelligent Of
our generation would seek TO hide themselves from the
of the world, and 60 about to find dishonorabe
graves.
Fellow citizens. take courage; be of good cheer We
shall come such ignoble end. We shall live, and
not die During the period allotted to several lives,
we shall continue TO rejoice IN the return OF this annver
sary. The ill omened sounds OF fanatcism will be
hushed the ghasty spectres of and disuni0n
will disappear and the enemies OF united constitutional
liberty, if their hatred cannot be appeased may prepare
to scar their eye balls they behold the steady fight of
the Amt eagle his FURNISHED wings for years and
years TO come.
President Fillmore: 1t is your snguarly good fortune
to perform such that which the earliest OF your
predecessors performed fifty eight years ago You stand
where he stood You lay your hand on the corner.
OF building designed greatly to extend that whose
corner he laid. Changed, changed is everything
around The same sun, indeed, shons upon his head
which now shines upon yours The same broad river
rolled at his feet and bathes his last resting place that
rolls at yours But the site OF this city then
mainly an open field. Streets and have since
been laid out and completed squares and public grounds
enclosed and ornamened until the city which bears his
name, although comparatively inconsiderahle in num-
bers and wealth. has become quite fit TO be the OF
the government of great and united people. Sir, may
the consequences Of the duty which you perform aus
pcously to-day equal those which flowed from his act
Not this only May the principles of your admnistra.
ton and the wisdom OF your political conduct be such as
that the world OF the present day, and all history here
after, may be at loss to perceive what example you
have made your study.
Fellow citizens, now bring this address to close
by expressing to you, IN the words Of the great Roman
orator, the deepest wish of my heart and which know
moio haze OPTIC; unum Ut mor,ens populum Romanum
iberum rel,n9uam hoe mih maj as dis mmortaiibus
dar, Mid poteT aterum, ut tia cutque euendt, de
publitd quis9ts mereatur."
And now, fellow citizens, with hearts void OF hatred
envy and malice towards our own countrymen, or any
OF them, towards The subjects citizens OF other gov
ernmens, towards any member of the great family OF
man, bat exuiinx, nevertheless, in our peace,
curty and happiness, in the grateful recollection OF the
past and the glorious hopes OF the future let
homes, and with all humility and devotion oHer our
thanks to the Father OF all mercies, political, social
| and religious.