The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-12-08

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We live in m age Of progress, and ours is
cinphatically country of progress. within
the last hnlfccntry the number Of States in
this Union has nearly doubled the population
has almost qualrurlcd, and our boundaries
have been extended from the Mississippi to
to the Pacific. Our territory is chcqucrcd
over with railroads, and firrOwcd with canals.
The inventive talent OF our country is excited
to the highest pitch, and the numerous APP
plications for patents for valuable improve
mcnts distinguish this age and this people
from all others The genius ofonc American
has enabled our commerce to move against
wind & tide, and that ofanothcr has annihia-
ted distance in the transmission ofmtelligcnce.
The whole country is full of enterprise. Our
common schools are diflusing intelligence IL
mong the people, and our industry is fast ac-
cumulating the comforts and luxures of life.
This is in part owing to our peculiar position,
to our fertile soil, and comparatively sparse
population; but much of it is also owing TO
the popular institutions under which we live,
to the freedom which every man feels to en-
gage in any useful pursuit, according TO his
taste or inclination, and to the entire conf
dcncc that his person and property will be
protected by the laws. But whatever may he
the cause of this unparalleled growth in pop
ulation, intelligence, and wealth, one thing is
clear, that the Government must keep pace
with the progress of the people. 1t must
participate in their spirit Of enterprise, and
while it cxaGts obedience to the laws, and re-
strains all unauthorized invasions of the
rights of ncighborng States, it should foster
an protect home industry, and lend its pow
crful strength TO the Improvement of such
means of intcrcOmmunicaion rs are ncccs-
sary to promote orr internal commcrcc and
strengthen the ties which bind us together IS
a people.
1t is not strange, however much II
may be regretted, that such an cXubcr-
aucc of enterprise should cause some mdivid
uas to mistake change for progress, and the
invasion of the right, of others for national
prUwess and glory The former are constant
" agitating for some change in the organic
law. or are urging new and untricd theories
of human rights. The latter are ever ready
to engage in any wild crusade against neigh
boring people, regardless of the Justice o
the enterprise, and without looking at the fl
tai consequences to ourselves and to the caus,
of popular government Such expeditions
however, are often stimulated by merccnar,
individuals, who expect to share the plundc
or profit Of the enterprise without cXposin!
themselves To danger and are led on by som'
irresponsible foreigner, who abuses the hosp
.ality of our own Government by seducinl
the young and ignorant to join in hi
scheme of personal ambition or revenge. IN
t der the false and dousiye plc;cnce ofextend
g, ing the area of freedom These rcprchcnsi
bic aggrcssons but rctard the true progrcs
of our nation and talnish its fair fame. The
shond therefore, receive the indignant f'roWn
of every good citizen who sincerely loves hi
. country and takes pride in its prosperit
an honor.
Our Constitution, though not perfect,
+ doubtless the best that ever was form ID
, Therefore let every proposition to change
b be well weighed, ana iffcund beneficial. eau
e tiously adopted Every patriot will rjoic
r. to see its authority so cxertcd as to advanc
Z the prosperity and honor ofthc nation, willis
= he will watch with jealousy any attempt
e mutilat, this charter OF our liberties, G
b pervcrt its powers 10 acts Of aggression or il
n justice. Tins shall conservatism and progrc'
o blend their harmonious action in preScrrn
5 the form and spirit of the Constitution, an
!, at the same time carry forward the great in
Il provcmcnts of the country with a rapidit
S aud energy which frccmcn only can displa
y In closing this, my last annual commun
|, cation, permit me, fellow citizens, to congra
d ulatc YOU ON the prosperous condition OF OF
{ beloved country Abroad its relations wit
{ all foreign powers are friendly; its rights a
II respected and its high place in the family
h Of nations checrfully recognised. 1T hon
II we enjoy an amount of happiness, public N
l. private, which has probably never fallen
e the lot of any other people Besides atior
Ic ing to our own citizens degree of prosper
III ty. of which on so large scale know of I
n other instance, our country is ANNUALLY ailor
Ie ing a refuge and a home TO multitndes alt
gcthcr without example from the Old Worl
" We owe these blessings, under Heaven,
D. the happy Constitution and Governmc
IT which were bequoathed to us by or father
W and which il is our sacred duly to transmit
y all their integrity to our children. We mu
r all consider ii great distinction and priv
# lcgc 10 have been chosen by the people
IS bear part in the administration Of sIch
ID Government. Called by an unexpected di
lc pcnSation to its highest trust at u season
IT embarrassment and alarm, entered upon
Is artluous duties with extreme diflidencc.
T. claim only to have discharged them TO q
- best of an humble ability, with n single e.
l. to the public gaod; and it is with dcvout gr'
70 itude- in retiring from Office, that leave 4
If country in a state Of peace and prosperity.
h WILLARD FILLMORE.
H. WAsHiNGTos, December 6, 1852.