Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-12-16
acts Of tyranny in . ncighboring princi

che gage u ~ charge 10 the executive power
10 give orders TO the generals of the Frenc h
armies to aid all citizens who might have
been or should be oppressed in the cause oil
Liberty Here was the false step which led
iohet @s,rhseqnent unisiorlines. She soon
fala9 herself involved. in war with all the
rest. 6t,Errope. ,. lii less than ten years her
government was changed from republic lo
"r empires, and finally, after shedding riv.
ers OF blood, foreign powers restored her ex-
ileddynasIy.- and exhausted Europe sought
reacx antirsposc IN the unqneslioned ascen-
dewey 'ot monarchical principles. Let us learn
wisdom from her example. Let Us remem.
her that revolutions do not always establish
freedom.
Our own free Institutions were not the
offspring of our Revolution. They existed
before. They were planted in The free char
,ers OF .self-guveInment under which the
English colonies grew up, and our Revolu-
ton only freed us from the dominion of a
foreign power, whose government was al va
riance with those institutions. But Euro
pean nations have had no such training for
selt.goxernment, und every effort 10 eslat-
fish II by bloody revolutions has been, anu
must, without that preparation, continue 10
he failure. Liberty, 'unregufaied by law,
comes the most horrd of all despousms.-
Our policy is 10 wisely govern ourselves,
and thereby to set such an example of ma
tional Justice, prosperity, and; true glory, as
shall tearl, to all nations the blessings of self
government, and the unparalleled enterprise
aud success Of free people.
Wrlive 1if.an age OF progress, and ours'is
empharlcally country OF progress. Within
The last half century The number Of States in
lhissU nioh has nearly doubled. the popula-
ton has almost qrIadruped, anu our bounda-
ries lave been extended from THE MssissTp-
pi 10 the Pacific. Our territory is chequered
over with railroads, and furrowed with Gu
nails. The inventive talent of our country is
excited To The highest pitch, and the numer-
Gus applications tor patents Tor valuable I'M
proyeinents Distinguish this age and this
people from all others. The genius OF one
American has enabled our commerce 10
move against wind and Tide, aud That of an
other has annihlluted distance in The iruns-
mission of intelligence. The whole country
is tul Ul. enterprise. Our common schools
are dlffusng intelligence among the people,
aud our industry is fast accumulaIing the
comforts and luxurIes of lie. This is IN
part owing 10 our peculiar position, 10 our
fertile soil, aud comparatively sparse popu.
lalion, but mach OF II is also owing 10 the
popular institutions under which we live, to
the freedom which every man feels TO en-
gage in any useful pursuit, according TO his
tastes or INCLINATION, and TO the entire conf
dence that his person and property will he
projected by the laws. But whatever may
I've the cause oi this unparalleled growth in
popuiation,. intelligence aud wealth, one
thing is clear, that the Government must
keep pace with the progress OF The people,
IT must participate IN their spirit OF enter.
PRISE, aud while il eXacis obedience 10 the
laws, ,aiid resirains all Unauthorized inva,
sions of The rights Of negh5orng States, II
shuu'd foster and protect home industry, and
lend It's powerful strength TO The improve
menr OF such means of intercommunIcation
as are necessary 10 promote our internal
commerce and strengthen the lies which
bind us together as people.
Ii is not strange, however much ii may be
regretted, that such an exuberance of enier-
Prise should cause some individuals 10 mis-
lake change for progress, and The invasion of
the rights OF others for national proves and
glory. The former are continually agtatlng
for some change in the organic law, or urg-
ing new and unlfied theories Of human
rights. The latter are ever ready TO engage
in any wild crusade against neighboring
people, regardless of the justice Of the
terprise, and without looking al the fatal
consequence 10 ourselves nnd to the cause Of
popular government. Such expeditions,
however, are olten stimulated by nercenary
individuals, who expect 10 share The plum
der or profit of the enterprise, without ex-
posing themselves 10 the danger, and are led
on by some irresponsible foreigner, who
abuses the hospitality of our Own Govern
menl by seducIng the young and ignorant
10 join IN his scheme of personal ambition or
revenge, urder the false aud delnsive pre-
fence oil extending the area of freedom
These reprehenslble aggressions but retard
the true progress OF our nation and tarulsh
its lair fame. They should, therefore, re-
ceive the indignant irowns OF every good
ciuzen who sincerely loves his country and
takes PRIDE IN its prosperity and honor.
Our Constitution, though not perfect is
doubtless the best that ever was formed
Therefore, lei every proposition to change II
be well weighed, and if found beneficial,
cautiously adoped. Every patriot will re-
ioice 10 see lis authority exerted as to
advance The prosperity aud honor of the ma
ton, whilst he will watch with jealousy any
attempt 10 muIilale Tins charter Of our liber-
ties, or pervrrl lis powers to acts of agrees
aud progress blend their harmonious action
in preserving the form and splrl: of the
Co psIItuIIon, and VI the same time carry
forward The great Improvements OF The cotin-
try with a rapI.Illy and eDrrgy which free
men only can display.
III closing this, my last annual communi-
caIon, permit me. felluw-riIlzens, 10 con-
graduate YOU on The prosperous condition of
our beloved country. Abond IT'S relations
with all foreign powers are friendly; lis
rights are respected, aud its high place in
the family of nations chrertully recognized.
AT no ne we enjoy an amount oi happiness,
public and private, which has probably new
er fallen 10 the lot of any other people. Be
sides uffarG,ng To our own citiZrns "A degree
of prosperity, of which on so large a scale
know of 40 other instance, our country is
annually aff,rIlng a renge and home TO
nuruudes altogether without example, from
the Old World.
We owe these blessings, under Heaven, 10
the happy Constitution and Government
which were beqIeaihed to u by our fathers,
and which il is cur sacred duty TO transmit
in all their Integrity 10 our children. We
must all conSier IL n great distinction and
privilege 10 have beeYrhossn by the people
10 bear part in the administration OF such
a Governments. Called by an unexpected
dispensaiion 10 lis highest trust, at season
of embarrassment and -alarm,I entered upon
its ar,uous aiiies with extreme dlAidence.
claim only to have discharged them 10 the
best Of an humble ability, with u single eye
TO the public good; and it is with devout
gratitude, in retiring from office, that leave