Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-12-11

We live in age of progress, and ours Is emphatca
country Of progress Within the last half century ih
number of States in the Union has nearly douOled I'M
population has almost quaduped and our boundaries nav
been extended from the Mississippi to the Puclhc Ou
territory is chequered with railroads. and furrowe
with canals The inventive talent Of our country Us eA
ted to the highest pitch, and the numerous appcas
patents for valuable improvements Distinguish lh sge @
this people from all others The genius of one Ainercai
has enabled Our commerce to move against whu niu ue
aud TINT OF another has annhiated distance IN inc Trans
mission of intelligence. The whole country is iuh o en-
terpse. Our common schools difusng intelligence
among the people and industry s fast accmuatng
the comforts aud Injuries Of life. This is IN part owing
to peculiar position fertile soil and COMPARATIVE
" sparcc population but much OF II IS also owing W tc
popular institutions under which we live, to the freedom
which every feels engage in useful pursuit. ae
cDrdg to his taste or ncinaton and tu the chtre conn
decc that his person and property viii I've proe eu ~ 'e
laws. But whatever may he the cause OF THIS unpnae co
growth in population, intelligence and wealth, ono thing
is clear, that the Government must keep pace win ne
progress Of the people IT must participate IN thet snt
OF enterprise, and while it exacts obedauce to the aws
and restrns all unauthorized invGsins ol the nelghOo
lend It's powerful strength TO the Improvement o sush
means Of nerccmnuncaon as are necessary to promote
Internal and strengthen the ties when bind
1t is moi strange however nnc it m"y he regretted
that such exubeuncc Of enterprise should cause sohe
individuals mistake change for progress, aid the lva-
sion of the rights Of others for national prJwcss aud 81 ly
The former constantly ngtag Or some chahee III Tue
organic hy or urging new unried theories of human
rights The tter ready to engage in any wild crusnde
against negiborimg people regardless ui the justice ol
the enterprise and without looking at the iata coselue
ourselves and to the cause of popular government
Such expeditions however, are often simulated by incT-
ccuary Individuals who expect to share the punder or pro-
fit of the enterprise without exposing themselves 10 can
ser, aud are led ON by some irrcsponsc t1egner Wh
abuses the hospitality of our own Government, by seducllg
the young and ignorant to join in his scheme ui personal
ambition revenge under the false and deiusvc pretece
Of extending the urea Of freedom. These rcprehersble
aggessOns bat reard the true progress o our natinn ana
furnish its fair fame They should, therefore, receive the
indignant lrOwus Of every gcd citizen who sincerely loves
his county and takes pIdc in its prosperity and honor
Our Constitution though not perfect, is 'uhiless the
best that formed Therefore let every proposi-
un to change it he well weighed aud ii found beneficial
cautiously nd ipcd Every patfi Il will rel ice to see us
authority exertras advance the prosperity and honor
# the n III whilst he viii watch with Jealousy nny at
tempt nnuic this charter of our lbcltes, or peirer It's
p'wefs To acts u aggression or injustice. hus sllal
nsefvI!ism aud progress blend their harm nuUs action
in preserving TIE furm and spirit Of the Constitution and
al the tine carry forward the grent impr vcmcnts OF
the couaily with rapidly and energy which trecnien
Gly displiy.
In c,sng his, my last annual COMMUNICATION. pcrmit
me, fellow uZcs tb congratulate You the prrspcr-
Gus condii m II our beloved nuty. Abroad It's eht ms
with all foreign powers friendly; It's rights
s1ectcd, AMI its high place IN the family ut maions cheer
fully ectnscd A. home rni y an amount of harpi-
ness public and private, which has probably never fallen
II the It Of tny other pc ple Besides nrrding tp
own citizens degree Of pr sprry, OF which large
scas know OF no 2h,r n:nc'i our cnmtTy is annu
uly aipdug refuge aniH home To- muudes ult'Ccther
without example. rcm the Od World.
we owe these blessings, under Heaven, to the happy
Cunsu:i N and Government which were hequeathed 10
u b. fathers and which is sacred duty tn trans
int in al their integrity to cur children. We must all
nsider il great distinction and privilege To have been
c Sen by the people to bear plt in the administration of
such Government Called by unexpected dlspensltinn
entered upon its aru1us duties with extreme ddcnce
claim ouv to have dischorgel them to the best OF
humble ability, with single rye Ia the public 90 ID aud
it IS with devout C'nltujo IN retiring from Office, that
lru"e ir country in sate Of peuce and prosperity.
NnLL,RD FILLMORE.
WAsUNsroN, December C, l-52.