The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-12-11

,rb,6od foreign powers restored her 'N-
i,,a.rv, and exhausted Europe sought
"- and rcpose in the unqne>'lonrd a>rcn-
Pcs ., monarchical principles. Lctus learn
4 Inn from his example. Let us remember
w., revolutions do not always establish tree
''l. Our own free institutions were not the
's g-;rr Of our Revolution. They existed
y~ .are They were planted in the free char
i O''V'y t..Jf.coyernment under which the En-
H. colonies grew up. and our Revolution
/. -r, f-c.d rs from the dominion of foreign .
whose government was at variance
. those institutions. But European ma
w., have had no such training for ScIt-gov-
mont. and every effort to establish 1t by
4 I",I, revolutions, has been, and must. with
~, that preparation. continue to be failure .
Ire~ty. unrogulatcd by law, de@cnerates IN
. ., ,,ar.hv. which soon becomes the most hor-
n of all ,le,potisms. Our policy Is wisely
,overu ourselves. and thereby to set such
4 .,e,an,rle Of national Justice prosperity. and
. ,lorv a, shall teach to all nations the
t,o.s,no, of seli-governmcnt and one I'M
,,,anred enterprise and success of tree
people. $500,
We I've in an age of progress, and ours Is
ccrba,,caIy country OF progress, W Ithln
( -. last half century. the number of States IN
hi. Tpion has nearly doubled, the population
Ia. almost qualruplrd. and our boundaries
have been extended from the Atlantic to the
p,rir. Our territory is chequercd over
18th railroads, and turrOwrd with canals
Tb. inventive talent of our country is excIt-
81 70 the highest pitch, and the numerous ap-
nlicstions for patents for valuable improve
inents distinguish thi, age an this people
from all others The genius OF one American
has enabled OFT commerce to move against
wind and tide, and that OF another has ANN
hI,..d distance in the Transmission OF lntcll-
cepce. The whole country Is tull OF enter
,,riisc Our common schools are diiiuSin@
Intelligence among the people. and our indus
,rv !. fas, accommodating the comforts and lux
urics Of life This is in part owing TO our
nrculiar position, to our fertile sail. and COM
rarativrly sparse population but much oft is
also owng to the popular institutions under
which We live, to the freedom which every
man feels to engage in any useful pursuit, ac-
,or,lin, to his taste or inclination, and TO the
entire confidence that his person and prop
whatever may be the cause of this unparaIIcl-
cd growth in population, intelligence and
wealth, one thing is clear, that the Govern
ment must keep pace with the progress of the
people 1t must participate IN their spirit OF
enterprise, and while it cNactS obedience to
the laws. and rcstrainS all unauthorized inva-
SONS Of the rights of ncighboring States, ii
should foster and protect hono industry. and
lend its powerful strength to the improvement,
Of such means of INSTRUMENTATION as are
necessary to promote our internal rommcrc,
and strengthen the ties which bind us togcth
rr as people.
1t is not strange. however much it may bt
regretted that such an eNuhcrancc OF enter
prise should cause soms individuals to ms
take change for progress, and the invasion
Of the rights of others for national proves
and glory. The former are constantly a"Itat
ing tor some change in the organic law, OF
urging new and untricd theories of human
rights. The latter are ever ready Ia "n"age
in any Wild crusade against a nclghhorlng
people, regardless of the u.icc al the enter
prise and without looking at the fatal conse-
uucnccs to ourselves and to the cause Of pop
ular government. Such expeditions, however.
are often stimulated bv mcrccnary indlvidu-
als. who expect to share the plumber or profit
OF the enterprise, without exposing themselves
to DANGER and are led on bv some irrcspon-
.b!c foreigner, who abuses the hospitality Of
our own Government bv Scducin" the Young
and ignorant to Join in his scheme OF person
al ambition or revenge, under the false and
dclu>ivc prctence of extending the area Of
freedom. These reprehcnSihle ag-rcS>ion>
but rctard the true progress Of our nation and
tarn>h its fair fame. They should.thcrciorc,
receive the indignant frowns of every good
citizen who sincerely loves his country and
takes pride in its prosperity and honor.
Our Constitution. though not perfect, /:
doubtless the best that ever was formed
Therefore let every proposition to change i
be well weighed, and if found beneficial, eau
tously adopted. Every patriot will rejoice
to see its authority so cxcrtcd as to advanc,
the prosperity and honor of the nation. willis
he will watch with jealousy any attempt t,
mutilatc this charter of our liberties, or per
vert its powers to acts of aggression or inius
tice. Thus shall conservatism and progres
blend their harmonious action IN preServin.
the form and spirit Of the Constitution, and a
the same time carry forward the great i'm
provements of the country with a rapidtv anC
energy which ireomen only can display
In closing this, my last annual communi
cation, permit me- telow-ctizens to congrat
uIac You on the prosperous condition of on
beloved country. Abroad It's relation will
all foreign powers are friendly; its rights arr
respected, and its high place in the famil,
of nations checrtully recognized. At hom
~eenloy an amount Of happiness, public ant
private, which has probably never fallen II
the lot of any other people. Besides afford
ing to our own citizens degree of prosper
~ of which on SO large scale know Of ne
other instance, our country is annually at
ior'hng refuge and home to multitudes
ALTOGETHER without example, from the Ole
World
We owe these blessings, under Heaven, tc
the happy Constitution and Government
winch were bequca,hcd to us bv our fathers
ana winch 1t Ii our sacred duty to transmit r
ai 'he'r integrity to our children. We mus
AL consider IT great distinction and privileg,
10 nave been chosen by the people to bear a
part III me administration of such Govern.
mfn'' called by an unexpected diSpenSator
'S "i.hc>t trust at a season OF embarra.s.
msnt and alarm, | entered upon its arduou.
on,ieS with extreme diiidcnce claim ONLY
!" nave discharged them to the best OF an
humble ability. with single eve to the pub.
nc good and II is with devout gratitude. in
f"uring from office. that leave the country
III a state OF peace and prosperity
WILLARD FILLMORE.
WASHINGTON. December {, 1852.
FIRE IN MONTPELIER.
Last Saturday night, about ten o'clock. our