The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-21

commerce and navigation overlapping all ordinary
bounds; our trade and enterprise pouring into
channels with resstess force; paths Of intercourse
hitherto trod only by the adventurous traveller
made the daily route of thousands; the earth yield
ing her gold In almost fabulous abundance; the viii
derness filling up with startling rapidity by the
JOINT effort OF natural increase and the prodigious
emigration from Europe arts, inventions, industry,
science IN every department and in every applica-
ton; these are all working together and developing
themselves with an energy and life that bewllder
the common mind. They call aloud for the most
eminent talent and the largest experience in the
highest office of the State. They require the mas
ter's hand. Nothing short of the most powerful in
telect Is sufficient to lead the mighty march of inn
| provement.
Such is the state of things in our own country.
| Abroad, Europe is rocking to its base The revo-
| lutionary valcano, which seemed to have burned
| out, has broke forth anew; rather a fearful
action against all the salutary tendencies of former
'revolutons A military despotism of the sternest
cast is trampling upon all the liberal principles
which the tolls and blood CT two struggling gener
| tons had wrested from the decrepid feudaiism of
| the European Continent A mighty struggle seeme
| to be impending; and although Providence has
| cast our lot ut a distance from the region where
the storm RACES, moderate skill will be required
to prevent the ship of State from being drawn into
the vortex ID all important in this chaos of the
political elements abroad, that the lights of republi
can liberty in this hemisphere should shine bright
and steady. Let them not be cody yelled from the
true friends of liberty, who ask the guidance of
| their cheering beams Let them not be kindled
into a reckless conha grafton wasting our own fair
| heritage, while it adds to the dangers of Europe
Let US, in a crisis difficult and interesting com
init the important and difficult Office of interpret
ing the true principles of American liberty to him
who has 60 well penetrated their spirit; who has
learned them in the school of Washington; and
who - best qualified to announce them in the SOUL
stirring words OF his own matchless eloquence.
In our own vast country, embracing this great
family OF States, stretching from the realms of ice
and granite to those of the orange and the cane,
| and filling the broad expanse which divides the
two mighty oceans, there ia unavoidable diversity
of interest," pursuit, and feeling Thus far and till
lately this diversity has administered to the growth
and welfare of the country. 1t has bound to-
| gcther by the kindly ties of mutual dependence.
| We have supplied each others wants, we have
helped out each others deficiencies. Out of many
States we have formed Union and union has
| made US powerful and prosperous. Would that
could stop here; but the sad truth mast be told.
This diversity, nderstood, has, under the infu
ence Of local prejudces, gendered strife. In the
opposite extremes OF the country cxcitemcnts have
grown up, founded on principles the most contra
| dictory, but tending to the same result. The bit
erest passions have been kindled, and the fercest
denunciations have been uttered and retorted. The
| most violent oppositcs have allied themselves
| against the Union. In some parts Of the country
the laws have been resisted 10 bloodshcd; in Others
military organization against the Government of
| the United States has taken place. The dearest
wish OF despots has been its fulflment in the
wreck Of the last hoce OF republican liberty.
Who is there. We confidently ask, that has done
80 much to avert this dire catastrophe as DANIEL
WEBSTER! Who, at moment of the utmost peril,
mas thrown nlN5eU Icarle5sly into the breach!
We say not this by way Of reproach to others, but
from justice to him. He stood in position in the
Senate of the United States in which the peace of
the country hung upon his lips Had be exerted
himself, not to appease but to augment the agta-'
ton OF the hour; had his all powerful voice been
uttered, not to harmonze, but to exasperate sec
tional differences; will any man Of intelligence
consclentiousy say that he believes the session Of
1850 would have passed without convulsion?
We are aware that now, when the danger is at
least for season passed, some persons affect to
deny that il ever existed and speak with derision
OF the healing counses and the words OF modera-
ton by which the Union was saved But if you
will inquire carefully into the course of those by
whom this language is used, you will find, with
out exception, that they are the men toho haze them
seives done their tuH share 10 bring The Union into
danger.
1t is true the danger for the present is past bot
it5 return Ia unhappily event too likely TO hap.
pen, under the influence Of the excited passions,
the local interests, the personal ambitions, out Of
which it sprung. Ii may come upon US when
least expect 1T. Sectional excitement may again
pass into wild forgetfulncss Of the ipestirnabc
lue OF our curiously compacted system, the
madness of popular violence may in one rash hour
entail woes upon the country to which generations
Of suffering will bring remedy.
Shall VIC not, then, while the peril is recent
while the heart OF patriotism is still beating quick
with the dangers which the country has barely
caped-shall we not place the command of the ship
of State in that Herculenn grasp which felt at
the helm while the breakers were roaring in her
path?
Thesc questions, Young Men Of America,
which we are called TO answer. Our power ia de-
cisivc-what will with the ardor of youthful
resolve-what we undertake with the cheer of
youthful hcarts-what push with the vigor of
youthful arms, we shall accomplish. 1t belongs
TO youth to infuse its exuberant vitality with the
body politic not to take the lead in council; not
set at naught the teachings of experience; not 20
deprive we-tried merit Of its reward. Far from
1T; but TO rally the impulses of youth to support
the wisdom Of years-to form n salutary alliance
between counsel and vigor.
Rouse, then, Young America, the momentoua.
the grateful task. In the East and in the West,
IN The North and IN the South, let us cheer each
other onward TO the patriotic effort. Let the ami
mating cry begin where the fret rays of the morn
ing glance from the snow-clad hills of the North
beneath whose shadow the man of choice
born, and let il sound through the land in one low
Gus reclamation. From the banks of his native
Sierrimack to the Gulf Of Mexico rom this our
imperial city to the golden gate Of California
wherever the blessings OF the Union arc felt-
wherever true American hearts have been thrilled
with the noblest strains OF patriotic cloqucncc-
wherever public spirit lie honored and faithful
vice IL held in respect-wherever constitutional
an ardent friend Of our candidate.
Let this be done, fellow -countryncn, and VIC
shall give to the Republic Chief Magistrate OF
which In her best dsys she might be proud; one
whose entire hness for tho office will be ackuow-
lodged both abroad and at home; one who will heal
the sectional fcuds that have shaken the Union;
embrace all interests in one broad survey; and cTn
body TO the life, what nc has himself go admirably
sketohcd TO the young men Of Albany, the idea Of
patriot President. We'll has he compared such
| President TO vice and prudent shpmaster, who
makes his first duty TO preserve the vessel which
CARRIES him and his passengers. and all that is
| committed to his charge; 10 keep her alOat, 10
conduct her TO her destined port with entircsccu-
| rity OF property and life. He suffers nothing 90
betray his watchfuincss or 10 draw him aside from
/ the great interest committed TO his csro bot is
always awake, always solicitous, always anxiouB,
| for the safety Of the chip which is 10 carry him
through the stormy
| Though pleased TO sec the dolphins play,
! lie minds bis compass and his way;
| And of he throws the wary lead
| To see what dangers may be bid;
! At helm he makes his reason sit,
His crew Of passions all submit
| Thus, thus nc steers bis barque, and sais,
On upright keel, 10 meet the gales"
| From Mexico.