The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-03

and social existence, this is their hope and their
only hope. One man cannot govern an unwilling
nation. II is absurd. When . whole people be-
come fully impressed with the conviction that free
institutions will enure TO their happiness, they will
become free; and when they come fully to under
stand and appreciate the nature Of those institu-
tions, they will establish them firmly and make
them enduring.
Sir, | love progress, l love the word. for. in my
conception Of its Specification, do not abuse the
term, and, il l WAS not Wing, should say that
was young American" ILsughter.l But
have not that classification yet on this side Of
the House, and ! like to conform 10 the customs
and usages OF the party to which belong ! love
progress OF the right sort-tha progress which has
been for fifty years an American idea. There was
in that idea of an "ocean- bound republic" ut least
something patriotic, something which stirred the
heart and appealed to the pride of every lover Of
his country. love natural, American progress
the development OF true principles, In all their con-
sequences, the advance to true happiness and true
greatness. But let not turn back and attempt,
what fear is hopeless task to regcnerate the
old, out, ebete institutions Of Europe. Let
crumbling dynasties and falling republics take
care of thenselves-let the dead bury the dead
fear we shall never learn the relative geography
OF Europe and the balance Of the world Weseem
never to remember, that Of the nine hundred mil
lions now nhabiting the globe, only fraction
dwell that small spot of earth Sir, when
hear men talk politics, as if Europe were the world
and her chances and changes and her fiat It's des
tiny, think Of the Yankee who went to London
during the Worlds FAIR and being asked his
opinion Of England. which he saw for the first
time, said it fine country-well cultivated.
but mighty SMALL be felt cramped ever since he
had been on the island; bad no exercise at all; ne
afraid to take morning walk for fear OF walk
ing off the edges somewhere. [Laughter.1 Let
Us learn for once that Europe is but small por
ton Of the habiable globe, and that things will not
and cannot always remain as they are Let u5, In
the true spirit OF American progression, look to
the future, and not to the past. This continent is
broad enough to satisfy all our aspirations--a the
atre large enough upon which to develop the true
principles Of modern American civilization Why,
sir, the march OF civilization, like the march Of
Christianity, has been from the days OF the wise
men OF Chaldea down to the present time, from
East to West You might as well attempt to turn
hack the natural in its course, as to revert the
sun of civilization in its westward way This
is the course it ever has pursued, and this must be
the course which it ever will pursue Following
It's way, ourselves have already planted our
feet upon the shores Of the Pacific, and there has
sprung up mighty empire, more like the work
Of magic than the slow growth OF nations. My
friend before me (Nr McCoRKLE) looks the per
sonifcation of patriotic pride as utter it. From
that western shore the genius OF American pro-
gress already looks beyond the ocean to that great
aud wonderful country whose trade has enriched
every nation which has enjoyed its harvest |
greet with pleasure every scheme which contem-
plates more speedy, rapid, and frequent inter-
course between that rich land and our own. My
heart responded cordially to the spirit which
prompted the recent Japan expedition. Quiet and
inc spirit of progress in il than in oil the fine ha
rangues about the principles Of universal hunani-
~, OF liberty, fraternity. equality, OF Hungarian.
French, or Italian independence The far seen z
eye of Napoleon turned to that land, rich in the
gifts OF Heaven-rch in historical associations
with its dim annals half my THO, half historical
going back to the time when infant man had scarce
left the tutelage OF the parent Creaorto that land
he looked the true battle. ground upon
which the struggle for European supremacy was
TO be fought. And in the last days OF his retire
Inent, looking back upon his career he felt that
his mission unfuflled He declared that Sir
Sidney Smith had stood at Acre between him and
his destiny Sir, upon that battle field is to be
fought battle OF emulation, Of philanthropy
a struggle between Christian civilization and the
semi bar barsm of ignorance and superstition-a
struggle far nobler with far different weapons,
with far higher ends and nobler purposes. and a
hope for mankind, with far happier results. than
the strugges Of Napoleon. There, where the lamp
Of religion and learning was first lit up. it's light
will be relumed-therc, where began the long
chequered history of the misery and happiness the
barbarism and civilization, the degradation and
the elevation Of man. the closing of the grand
drama will be contaminated.