The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-23

bis opinions Of Progress and with his eye
steadily fixed upon the Constitution, as that of
the mariner on the colhpass, he would steer for
each worthy object that will promote the pros
peritys develop the resources, sustain the power,
and Augment the glory Of the whole Union
Those are bis opinions Of progress; and they
are mine.
This is nothing like turning the world upside
down; we seek no innovation upon the Consti-
tuition; but we seek TO progress under the Con-
stitution, and with the Constellation. The whole
history Of the United States Is history Of pro-
gress- physical, geographical progress--intel-
lectuaI moral civil, social, and political progress
The internal idea, the abstract notion Of better
things, the hope OF freedom, the determination
to resist oppression, all that active principle
which makes great country and great people.
have wrought without ceasing in the American
mind. Would gentlemen who are afraid az pro-
gress stop this? Would gentlemen arrest itg
Do gentlemen desire or believe it possible ~
check the free current of thought? This Il not
metaphysics or nonsense. 1t is a fact. which
every man who looks back for a moment to m.
philosophy Of the history Of the country, must
recognize and subscribe to. The gentleman. n
the defense of a rotten conservatism, seeks au-
thorty in the epitaphs Of our honored ancestors
bat the inscriptions are in u character unknown
take the magnificent and inspiring lessons which
those grave-yards teach to the careful and dis
interested inquirer. There is no sermon on
progress so eloquent as to stand and reflect.
earnestly and honestly, by the side of the grave
OF the Father of his Country. And in these r-
riiable times, would recommend to politicians
an occasional visit to Mount Vernon, to soothe
their excited feelings, and calm them for the
grave consideration of principles. We learn from
the history of the fathers OF this country. and
most of all from the life of him who was The
most illustrious of all, that progress is the dutv
Of every citizen. Did they not progress Look
at their movements. The grandest, the most
august revolution that any mortal man, or any
set OF men, ever undertook, they accomplished.
They did enough for one generation, and more
than any generation before, or since, have ever
accomplished; but did not do all. They left
much undone. What was their mission? What
was The evil they were called to remedy? The
eyes OF the men OF the revolution were directed
towards Europe. They had no jealousy but
upon one subject, and that was, European inter-
ference. They sought the independence of these
States, and they sought little else. To make
their own laws, and impose their own taxes and
regulate their domestic AFFAIRS according to laws
enacted by representatives they themselves
would choose-that was as far as thsy went, and
as Tar as they could be expected to 90. But the
condition OF the country at the successful con-
clusion OF the war of the revolution was "a
wholly different, and the chen policy and opip-
ions OF men were asclearly dstinguishable from
those now entertained, as ours are from the mil
icy and opinions of the Chinese.
The territory of the Union was narrow Limit
ed by the Mississippi upon the one side, by
Louisiana upon another, by the. Lakes and by
the Atlantic. Why, it was scarcely larger than
a presumption claim, in these days of expanded
liberality on the subject Of public lands. II was
narrow tract. They aimed to give it dignity
by peopling IT with brave and free men. They
thought OF it only as small star, a bright spot
upon the surface Of that continent, which neither
their ambition or policy embraced. They never
dreamed OF the vast and glorious constellation
which was TO glitter around il; their policy
consequently could not be the same as ours.
Progress was the very condition of the exist.
ence of the next generation. There were fonpd
conservative gentlemen in that day who opposed
the first sep Of progress after the revolutionary
war was closed, who were afraid the world was
agoing to be turned upside down by every re-
form. When the debates arose upon the pnr
chase OF Loaisiana--and we all know with what
heat those debates were carried on-there was
no want Of politicians 10 declare il unconstitu-
tional, and violation of the principle and doe
trines ofour revolutionary ancestors. The most
radical Democrat of that day, the author and
founder Of progressive Democracy, doubted IL
under the Constitution any territory could be
added TO the Union. The same sort of appeals
and arguments were made then as now. Every
reform, every advance which the nation has
made, has been opposed by the same conssrya.
tism which would now paralyze the natioral
energy There is nobody now who questions
the propriety Of the purchase of that territory,
or the annexation Of that more important terri
tory, which has been acquired since. The poll.
cy has indicated itself in its triumphant expe-
rierce.
Bat there Is another sort OF progress, to
which | have before alluded, and the idea of
which would wish 20 develop, because il con.
stitutes great national characteristic. There
Is another sort Of progress. What | have adj
vcrted 10 and illustrated, is mere physical and
geographical advancement | have, as vet, only
spoken Of the acquisition Of territory. allude
now 10 that progress which has enlarged and
liberated the American mind since the DAYS of
the great patriots Of the revolution, constituting
IN itself a revolution a. important AZ that which
liberated colonies from British oppression. There
has been going on in the human mind and the
human heart, through ali that series OF wears.
revolutions, each and All Of them Of vat i'm.
Portance. There PUSHES upon the mind and
memory Of every man Observation-Disclosures
Of what mean II was food old Democratic
doctrine--a eonservLtive and safe doctrine
That the highest power in. this country, the
power upon which mems lives, property, and re-
Puiaiion depended, should hold It's unspproacb.
able and inaccessible position within the inner
temple That Judiciary, unlike the legislative
or any other power in the country, should be
irresponsible 70 that people from whom their
power was legitimaiely derived; that they
should not be elected by the people. An cleo.
tive Judiciary Such heresy in the days of
the revolution would have raised an outcry frvm
All our assembled revolutionary ancestors.
Nearly all the States in the Union have made
this change In their constitutions. Il has re-
suited from gradual bat constant pressure Of
public opinion, which was irresistible.
There are other Illustrations one more stri-
king than this. There was a law which existed
In every one Of the ola fhfrfoon Gfafos ond rn.,v