Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-12-15

| all nations the blessings ofself- government
and the unparalleled enterprise and sue
cess of free people.
s We live in an age ofprogress, and ours
lis emphatically country of progress
Within the last half century the number
! of States in this Union has nearly doubled,
!. the population has nearly quadrupled,
3 and our, boundries have beena extended
from the Mississippi to the Pacific. Our
territory is chequered over with railroads,
and furrowed with canals. The invent
i've talent of our country is excited to the
highes. pitch, and the numerous appliea-
tons for patents for valuable improve
fments distinguish this age and this people
from all others. The genius OF zone
American has enabled our commerce to
move against wind and tide, and thai of
another has uannihilateds distance in the
transmission of,intelligence The whole
country is full of enterprise. Our COM
mon schools are diffusing intelligence
among the people. and our industry
is fast accommodating the comforts and
luxuries oflife. This is in part owing TO
our peculiar position. to our fertile soil,
and our comparatively sparse population;
but much of il is also owing to the popu-
lar institutions under which We live, To the
freedom which every man feels TO en-
gage in any nseful pursuit. according to
his taste or inclination. and to the entire
confidence that his person and property
will be protected by the laws. But what
ever may be the cause of this unparalleled
growth in population, intelligence. and
wealth, one thing is clear. that the Gov
eminent must keep pace with the progress
of the people. 1t must participate in their
spirit of enterprise, and while it exacts
obedience 10 the laws. and restrains all
unauthorized invasions of the rights of
neighboring States. iLshould foster and
protect home industry. and lend its pow
erful strength to the improvement of
such means of intercommunicalion as are
necessary to promote our Internal com
merce and strengthen the ties which bind
us together as people.
| 1t is not strange, however much it may
be regretted, that such an exuberance of
enterprise should cause some individuals 70
mistake change for progress. and the in
yasion of the rights of others for nationrl
prowess and glory. The former-are con-
stantly agltating for some change in the
organic law. or urging new and untried
theories of human rights. The latter are
ever ready TO engage in any wild crusade
against a neigborhbor,ng people, regard
less of the justice of the enterprise, and
without looking at the fatal consequences
to ourselves and to the cause of pop
ular government. Such expeditions.
however, are often stimulated by merceu-
AIRY individuals, who expect to share the
plumber or profit of the enterprise without
exposing themselves to danger, and are
led on by some irresponsible foreigner,
who abuse the hospitality of our own
Government by seducing the young and
Ignorant to join in his scheme of personal
ambition or revenge, under the false and
delusive pretence ofextending the erea of
freedom. These reprehensible aggressious
but retard the true progress of our nation
| and tarnish its fair fame They should. |
therefore. receive the indignant frowns of
every good citizen who Sincerely loves
his country and takes pride in its pros /
perity and honor. no |
Our Constitution, though not perfect. is
doubtless the best that ever was formed !
Therefore, let every proposition TO change
it be well weighed; and if found benefi-
clal. cautiously adopted. Every patriot
will reloice TO see its authority so exerted !
as to advance the prosperity and honor
of the nation, while he will watch with !
Jealousy any attempt to mutilate this
charter of our liberties, or prevent its pow
ers to acts of aggression oriniustice. Thus
shall conservatism and progress blend
their harmonious action in preserving the |
form and spirit of the Costitution, and at
the same time carry forward the great
improvements of the country with ra-
pidity and energy which frcemen only can
display 21i'is.
In closing this my last annual commu-
nication,. permit me, fellow citizens, TO
congratulate you on the prosperous con-
dition of our beloved country. Abroad. !
its relations with all foreign powers are |
friendly; its rights are respected, and its /
high place in the family Of nations cheer |
fully recognised. AT home, we enioy an
amount of happiness, public and private.
which has probably never fallen to the !
lot of any people. Besides affording to
our own citizens a degree of prosperity, |
of which on so large scale know of no |
other instance, our country is annually
affording a refuge and home to multi
tude. altogether without example, from
the Old World. - $40
We owe these blessings, under Heaven
to the happy Constitution and Govern
ment which were .bequeathed to us by
our fathers. and which it is our sacred
duty to transmit in all their integrity to
, our children. We must all consider it a
great distinction and privilege to have
been chosen by the people to bear part
in the administration of such Govern
ment- Called by an unexpected diSpens.
alton to its highest trust at a season of
embarrassment and alarm. entered upon
its ardurous duties with extreme Diff ne
l claim only 10 have diSchar...I