The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-28

aCQulAItlOn OF
California and New Mexico, troops have been re-
quired along the routes to those possessions of
| the Missouri Since we forming new treaties
with the wild Indian tribes of the plains and noun
tains west OF Of course the amount OF property
of the Government in supples, annuies, and mu-
Ditions OF war, must be increased, and with that
an increase OF expenditure. But, sir, aid in CON
sructng those roads. and that expenditure will be
saved. Again, sir much Will be gained to the
Government in the entire security with which that
property may be transported. Heretofore those
supplies have been carried up the Missouri river at
q heavy cost to the Government, and with great
peril and hazard of total loss from the dangers of
navigation in that turbid stream
| Mr.. Speaker, find have but a few minutes of
my time left, and therefore will hasten a conclu-
sion II has been said, and think truthtully, by
one OF modern historians that Of all Inventions
| the printing press and alphabet alone excepted
those inventions which abridge distances have done
most for the civilization of our specics Every i'm
provement of the means of locomotion benefits
| mankind morally and intellectually, as well as
materially and not only facilitates the interchange
Of the various productions of nature and art but
tends to remove national and provincial antipa-
hies, and to bind together all the branches Of the
human family.
Sir, these advanag ges not to be lightly esteemed
by people Government occupying 80 wide
an extent OF country ours, and where sectional
interests too often engender prejudiCes that lead
alienation of feeling among those who should dwell
together with traternal affection, sympathze with
each other III sorrow, and rejoice with each other
in prosperity.
We all know, sir, how great were the fears en-
tertaiued by many of our best citizens most en-
hghtened and purest statesmen, lest the acquisition
OF additional territory and the extension of our linn
its should result in the dismcnber of our elo-
rious Union, and that it would fall to pieces from
its own weight. But, sir there ia much to relieve
| those fears and gloomy forebodings Of ill., The in-
| vention of the steam. m.engine, and its application
as motive power upon the oceans, upon our riv-
ers and lakes, and the great highways which we
| are opening through our mountains and hills, and
W ch nFpf frayc hea ittii ba
broad and fertile prairies, and which the car
Of commerce, freighted with the richest produc-
tons OF our fields and workshops is carried with
velocity which outstrlps the wind by the iron
horse. whose foot wearies and whose
| strength never fails. This invention has contri-
buted much to dssipatc those fears and strengthen
our hopes. BY this wonderful discovery (for tru-
ly, Sir, 1t seems that the steam engine will never
cease to be wonder) distance is annihilated; the
East and the West are brought together, and
trust that under It's happy influence the North and
South Will soon interchange, daily, those civilites
which sweeten life and give it half its charms.
But, sir wonderful the results of the steam
engine, and happy as are its influences socially and
politically, and however great its tendency TO
strengthen the bonds of our Union, another il not
greater discovery exists, of more recent date,
which promotes iraternal feeling, and thereby
strengthens our hopes OF the perpetnity of our free
institutions. refer to that beautiful invention by
which the winged lightnings made to obey
behess, and Us faithful news boys daily and hour
| ly to traverse their wiry track with messages of
D
upon the Atlantic to their brethren upon the west
| ern borders OF Missouri.
The advantages resulting from associations and
social intercourse are happily illustrated in my
own State. There we have the enterprising men
Of New England, bringing with them the habits
and customs peculiar to the land OF steady habits
There, the chivalrous and generous sons OF Virgil
MIA, North Carolina, Tennessee. and other South
ern States. There, the frugal, upright, and in
dustrious Pennsy lvanian, each bringing with him
his provincasm and other peculiarities OF his ma
tive State. These settled over our State in the
neighborhood of our own hardy and warm hearted
pioneers. At first, II may be, there is some for
mality in the first efforts and advances towards
social intercourse but by degrees preexisting pre-
judices worn of, many amiable and noble
traits discovered, attachments are formed
between families all the ofiicos OF friendship and
| good neighborhood are performed with cheerful
ness. The sons Of New England lead to the altar
| the lovely dau ghters OF the South; all
thrown the ties % friendship and love, which bind
US together IN harmony, and while each looks back
with fond delight TO the home Of his childhood-thc
one TO the granite hills OF his beloved New Eng
land, and the other 10 the verdant plains of the
sunny South, yet here Is their home, here they
dwell in peace, lovers of the Union, attached to
the institutions Of their country, and ready in
moment to strike down the parricdal that
would seek To destroy the fair fabric which their
fathers have reared, and which shelters aud pro-
tects them. Extend then, cir, your railroads; let
them penetrate every State, thereby promote social
intercourse, and bind together more closely the
interests Of our people, and though our territory
extends from sea To sea. though States be multi
piled until hundred stare shall form the bright
constellation, whose cheering light streams upon
many land, the hope OF the oppressed and down
trOdden who are struggling for freedom and indie
pendence, and the dread of tyrants who would
quench that light and extinguish it forever; yet.
sir this glorious Union would stand, blessing
TO us, and a bright example to others. Let il be
your policy to grant lands for works Of improve
mcnt like Let the Government pursuc the
even tenor of its way, content to secure the hap
piness OF its people by wholesome laws wisely
administered, holding out to every nation its own
success, and the happiness and prosperity of its
people as a beacon light, forming entanghng
alliances with none, but sympathizIng with all in
their struggles for freedom and independence, and
il will have done for the cause of free inst-
tutons than could be accomplished by the power
Of your army and your navy.