American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-12

| lie power, and canals and railroads running in
all directions, its advantages for farmers, man
ufacturers, merchants and mechanics are far
beyond any other. Already is it studded with
beautiful villages and splendid cities, among
which Buffalo stands unriyaled. Her COM
manding position at the foot of Lake Erie, her
grand commercial advantages derived from the
great inland seas of the west, and her outlets
by canals and railroads, all indicate that if she
is not at this time, she soon will be the great
and queen city of the interior of New York.
But these great improvements and advance
ment In civilization are not limited to Western
New York They are to be found everywhere
| throughout the length and breadth of the land.
To what may all these blessings be attributed
To kind Providence, our form of government
and free institutions, which leave the people
free and unfettered by power. II is in this
country, and this country aione, that man Is 4
free agent. Here there is no power to restrain
him except he be guilty Of crime. All his fac
ulties, mental and physical, are at his disposal
He walks abroad in his own majesty, and there
are none to make him afraid He neither feels
nor fears power, or those appointed to admins
ter the affairs of government. He may travel
from Maine to California and Oregon, and no
one would have right to ask him "Why do
you SO :" To all which may we not attribute
the advancement of the people of the United
States in Improvement and civilization beyond
all others And yet, with all these unparal-
leled privileges, and prosperity unknown to
any other people, we find those among us who
are not satisfied.
Strange as it may appear, we have a few dis
contented spirits who would dissolve this glori-
Gus Union, established by the sacrifice of 80
much blood and treasure, and with it our pros
perity, and forever blast the hopes of the op-
vx,.n paI L 4 n
however so few in number, that do not appre-
hend any serious results from any efforts on
their part to accomplish their objects. The
signs of the times nevertheless are sufficient to
admopish US that eternal vigilance is the price
OF liberty AS we are a nation composed of
States or Sovereignties, with diversified inter
ests, 1t ought not to surprise us if they should
occasionally clash. In such case what should
be our duty? Cancellation and harmony, and
strict adherence to the Constitution, faithfully
carrying out all its provisions, and at the same
time doing oil in our power to prevent discon-
tent and heart -burnings, which, if encouraged,
will do more than all else to endanger the Union
and destroy our hopes and prosperity.
Of my services, to which your honor has allu-
ded in such fattering terms, it becomes not me
to speak. If have so conducted myself in a
long military career, whether in peace or war,
as to command the appreciation of my country
men, l am more than satisfied. Their good
opinion, your good opinion, and that of my
native State, is far moro precious to me than
Office.
For the honor this day conferred on me by
you as Mayor, and other civil authorities, and
the citizens of Buffalo, as well as the military
would offer the thanks of grateful heart. i
it could speak, it would convince you in the mos
stirring and eloquent language, how truly it is
appreciated by one whose whole life has been
devoted to the service of the Union and its pre-
seryation.