, 1852-09-11

gu.sn. Ihemcn who fed from persecution
and nadr for themselves q home BY wrest.
Ing the forest from The wild beast and the
savage, had been trained in a school that
prepared them to redeem their homes Sec
oud time from more dangerous foes. Re
mOied from the immediate eye Of dcspot
ism, thought became free, reason taught
them truth, and when the war Of the revo-
hilton came they knew what they fought
Tor. They saw in the contest its infinite
importance. They looked through the thin
veil of the present and the immediate con-
sequences TO themselves TO the future
They saw that upon their action hung the
drstinirs ol after eenera'ious that this
goodly land was 10 be inhabited either bv
a race Of towards and slaves, or by a race
Of lreemcn. One side Of the picture was
dark and gloomy othtf sjlc bright and
glorious. They tmadt iheiY choice that
choice shaped the destiny 'of America
From that day the United States have been
the acknowledged model Of civil liberty
throughout the eaFth--the great central lu-
minary from which all lovers OF human
freedom derive their light. Ours is an ex
tample worthy Of imitation: it is not tar
nished with blood or stained by conquest.
We have gained laurels on the battle field
we have gained some world renowned
victories on the sea. All these have given
us character at home and abroad. Bat our
greatest conquests and noblest victories have
been achieved with the ax and the plow.
With these we have changed the forest into
fruitful felds--with these VIC have made
happy homes for freemen, and extended
the blessings Of civilization across a conti-
neut. Freedom stimulates enterprise and
discovery. These have pushed our people
westward, adding new state after new state,
I'LL at length few daring spirits, at one
bold push, crossed the remaining few thou
sand miles of the continent, and were check.
ed only by the Pacfc's wave.
We are now assembled upon the verge
OF United States soil no monument al
shafts erected on revolutionary battle fields
meet our eyes TO stimulate our patriotism
ami awaken our sympa,hies. We are far
removed from all such scenes, farther than
the mos, enthusiastic actors in those scenes
ever expected the results Of their labors to
extend. But the scene exhibited here to-
day shows that the great national heart
sends its pulsaious, actively, healthlully,
patrlotcaiiy even to this distant extremity.
We see the 6ag of the Union waving over
us, and we feel that beneath its ample folds
we are at home. The ties that binds US TO
that flag are not those of fear, but Of love.
We meet here from the different States of
the Union, and from all sections of the
country. The friends Of our youth, the
graves Of our sirts, the pride Of country, all
bind us to our fatherland. We feel that we
are one great family, that no distance can
separate or continent divide. We know
that a wrong done 10 Oregon would, if
needs be, cause the din of war to resound
from plymouth I2ck to Columbil's goldeD
strand. Neither do We sec among us the
veneraied form Of the revolutionary soldier,
a living witness Of the wrongs our youthful
nation suffered their lallering steps have
fell short Of this distant shore-lheir bones
lie stretched across the continent they re.
deemed-their monument is the American
Union, the whole American Union. lis
thriy-onc States, and its Territories, with
their halls Of learning, their temples Of
worship, their millions Of freemen, all
swell The monumental pile of the heroes Of
ZIG. Would that in spirit and truth we
might say
We in turn your place supply,
Who doubts it, let them come and try"
Oregon although at present weak and
dependent, attracting but rarely the atten
ton of government, yet occupies COM
mandlng and important position. It is the
frontier of the Republic on the northwest
Fronting on the Pacific with its superior
facilities for commerce, it seems to stretch
out one hand 10 China and the East Indies,
and the other 10 the States. The two great
harbors Of the Pacific coast are San Fran.
cisco and Pugeps Sound. OF these the
former IS at present the centre Of attraction,
bnt the latter has advantages which time
will develop and give to it its full share of
the commerce Of the Pacific. There are
weighty reasons why the Pacific railroad
should terminate at this point, and this road
must be made. Iheinterests Of the United
States absolutely demand tit must be
made, or we shall permit the control of the
comperce Of the world, now within our
grasp, 10 pass in 10 other hands. Our col
onization westward must for time here be
checked. But the force of our example
and the advancement of free principles will
not stop, it will still go on and iIlumine the
islands Of the sea, and exert such powerful
influence, that benighted China will wake up
from her sleep ot ages and take strides for
ward in civil freedom.
B The importance of the Pacific coast is
Increasing on a steady and permanent scale.
Owing to its position it may yet exert con-
seryatiye influence in allaying sectional ami
mosities and party violence that will be Of
infinite value TO the Union and to the world.
The extensive mines on our shores seem to
have been reserved for US, and to have been