The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-26


gave 10 the speech OF the gentleman from Kentucky lis
value do not know what other gentlemen may think
and, said before, is committed 10 my
yiowss bat appears 10 il the ballle had 10 be
fought between The sections al the party upon principle
ih~t We can scarcely avoid open, but hope, fair
between Young America with It's progressive doc
tIines, aud old fogyism," and beaten candidates with
retrogfesson as their motto. IL 10 possible that !
may be deceived BY the spiri. and temper OF the
country from which come but | do not believe
The result can be doubted do not apprehend disaster
defeat In such conflict; and L. for one, am willing 10
make and meet the issue i is barely possible that some
oil the representatives OF a former age may be nom.
naletperhaps the fayorite OF the gentleman from Ken
tuesy Say nothing here do propose ever TO
say anything, which may make Il inconsistent in to
follow banner with either OF the inscribed upon
il which followed once before TO signal and glorious
dsea IL be raised again with the additional nscrip-
ton extracted from the genlemans Speech and contain
lug lis whole spirit IN two words -" Teogression, anti
progress some OF the democracy (and among hem)
wall follow even those colors but will be with mufed
aads oy 'ne eit Hank IN great confusion and TO the
melancholy wall OF the dead march.
was my design--but II is which shall not have
lime 10 execute under this unfortunate hour rule
TO have examined carefully and thoughully the sneer-
ing nsnuaons OF the gentleman in regard to this doctrine
OF progress and to explain and defend the democratic
doctrine Every who heard that speech knows-and
all who read II will ind-hat there is in il no statement
OF The gentleman's conception of progress He says
and makes II udicrous by the OF the rhelorcian COM
bned with stage trick and great knowledge OF stage
enec-nat we want 10 hunt up some aginary genius,
and place HIM on new policy give him Young America
as iulcIum, and let him turn the world upside down."
NOW, cannot reason with proposition like that |
have never consulted with Judge Douglas as to what his
opinion is ON the relative position OF the two sides of
the world but have doubt but he is perfectly sound
upon that question iaughter.l And from somewhat
deal oil conversation with him upon general TOPICS
clearly OF opinion that he has intention TO disturb
the equilibrium OF the physical universe. Laugh
teri But he does cherish idea, however. that
the United States not absolutely finished.
and ready 70 be enclosed and painted daughter
he has looked back, and, looking carefully and
ha
has found no system OF law, condition OF society,"
perfect There has never been political system in
which there was not room for Improvement This is
conclusion 10 which, think. all thoughtful minds will
come which every serious and contemplave student OF
history must approve He thinks that the United States
great as they rich they are, powerful they are
and Tree as they may become yet ireer richer more
powerful, and more extended than they are, with
perfect safety and under the constitution. He thinks
that The rank OF tins in the scale OF nations
may be elevated lie thinks, and the progressive dsmoc
racy maintain, that il is possible to hold more innuen
tial position among The peoples OF the world than it
does ms is hasty and imperfect sketch of his opn-
ions OF progress; and with his eyes steadily fixed on the
constitution that OF the mariner on the compass he
would steer Tor each worthy object that will promote the
prosperity develop the resources sustain the power and
augment the glory OF the whole Union These are his
opinions OF progress; and they are mine.
This Is nothing like turning the world upside down.
We seek no innovation upon the constitution; but we
seek TO progress under the constitutions and with the
constitution The whole history Of the United States is
history OF progress-physca, geographical progress
intellectual moral, civil, social and political progress
The internal idea, the abstract notion OF better things
the hope OF freedom, the determination to resist oppres-
sion, all that active principle which makes great coun-
Try and great people, have wrought without ceasing in
the American mind Would gentlemen who are afraid
OF progress stop this Would gentlemen arrest III Do
gentlemen desire or believe i possible to check the free
current OF thought This is not metaphysics or non-
sense. 1t is fact which every man who looks back
Tor moment TO the philosophy of the history of the
country must recognise and subscribe to- The gentle
man, IN the defence OF rotten conservatism seeks a
ihoriiy in the epiaphs of honored ancestors but
Inc inscriptions are IN character unknown to him.
He reads them falsely. He does not take the magnif.
cent and inspiring lessons which those graveyard
teach TO the careful and dlsin,eested inquirer There
Is no sermon on progress eloquent to stand and
reflect earnestly and honestly, by the side OF the
grave OF the Father OF his Country. And in these
irritable times would recommend 10 politicians
occasional visit 10 Mount Vernon, TO soolhe their
excited feelings, and calm them for the grave con-
slderahon OF principles. We learn from the history OF
the fathers OF this country and, most of all from the
lille OF him VINO the most ilustrous of ALL that
progress is the duty of every citizen. Did they not pro-
gress Look at their movements The grandesi, The
most august revolution that any mortal man. or
any Sc. Of men, ever undertook, thew Accommodated
But their views were necessarily limited. They did
enough for generation, and than any generation
before since have accomplished; but did not do
all They left much undone. What was their mission
What was the evil they called to remedy The
eyes OF the OF the revolution directed towards
Europe They had not jealousy but upon one subject
and that European Interference They sought the
Independence OF these States and they sought little
else. To make their own laws, and impose their own
laws enacted BY representatives they themselves would
choose-that was as far as they went, and far as
they could be expected 10 GO But the condition OF the
country at the successful conclusion OF the of the
revolution was wholly different, ard the then policy
and opinions of men clearly dstngushable from
those entertained from the policy and
opinions OF the Chinese
The territory OF the Union nauow-lim,ed by the
Mississippi upon the sde by Louisiana upon another
by the Lakes and by the Atlantic. Why, it was scarcely
larger than pre- empon claim In these days OF expanded
bberaliy on The subject OF public lands II
row tract They aimed to give dignity by peopling it
small star bright spot upon the surface of that cont
nent which neither their ambition policy embraced
They dreamed OF the and glorious conselIa
ton which was TO glitter around 1t their policy conse-
quenty could not be the Progress the
very condition OF the existence OF the next generation
There found conservative gentlemen ia that day
who opposed the rst step OF progress after the revou
uonary war was closed, who afraid the world was
going TO be turned upside down by every reform. When
the debates upon the purchase OF Lousianaand
all know with what heat those debates were carried
constitutional, and violation OF the principle and doc
trines OF our revolutionary ancestors The radical
democrat Of that daythe author and founder OF pro-
gressive democracydoubed If. under the constitution
any territory could be added to the Union. The same
SORT OF appeals and arguments were made then now.
Every reform, every advance which the nation has made
has been opposed by the conservatism which would
now parayze the national energy. There is nobody
who questions the proprely OF the purchase OF that ter
ntory or the annexation OF that important territory,
which has been acquired since. The policy has vind-
Gated Itself In lis triumphant experience.
But there Is another sort Of progress to which have
IL Ill. Il