The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-12-08

Titory is chequered over Win raliroaus, ana Iur
rowed over with canals. The inventive talent o.
our county is excited to the highest pitch and the
numerous applications for patents for valuable
improvements distinguish this age and this people
from all others. The genius ofone American has
enabled onr commerce to move against wind and
tide and that of another has annihilated distance
in the transmission of intelligence. The whole
country is full of enterprise. Our common schools
are difusing intelligence among the people, and
our industry is fast accumulatng the comforts
and luxuries of life.
This is owing in part to our peculiar position to
our fertile soil and comparatively sparce popula-
ton; but much of it also is owing to the popular
Institutions under which we live, to the freedom
which every man feels to engage in any useful
pursuit, according to his taste or inclination and
to the entire confidence that his person and prop
erty 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 Government must keep pace
with the progress of the people.
1t must participate in their spirit of enterprise,
and while it exacts obedience to the laws, and
restrains all unauthorized nyasons of the rights
OF neighborng States, it should foster and protect
home industry, and lend its powerful strength to
the improvement of such means of intercommun-
lcatlon as are necessary to promote our internal
commerce and strengthen the ties which bind US
together as people.
GREETED, that such an exuberance of enterprise
should cause some individuals to mistake, change
for progress, and the invasion of the rights of
others for national progress and glory. The for
Iner are constantly agitating for change in
the organic law, or urging new and untried theo-
rles OF human rights. The latter are ever ready
to engage in wild crusade against neghboring
people, regardless of the justice of the enterprise
and without looking at the fatal consequences to
ourselves and to the cause of popular government
Such expeditions however, are often stimulated
by mercenary individuals who expect to share the
piunder or profit of the enterprise without expos
ing themselves to danger, and are led on by some
irresponsible foreigner, who abuses the hospitali-
ty otour own government by seducing the young
and ignorant to join in his scheme of personal
ambition or revenge, under the false and delusive
Pretence ot extending the area of freedom. These
reprehensible aggressions but retard the true pro-
gress of our nation and tarnish its fair fame
Ihey should, there1sTe, receive the indignant
frowns of every good citizen who sincerely loves
his country and takes a pride in its prosperity
and honor
Our constitution, though not perfect, is doubt
less the best that was ever formed. Therefore
let every proposition to change it be well weigh
ed, and if found beneficial cautiously adopted
Every patriot will rejoice TO see its authority so
exerted to advance the prosperity of the Union,
while he will watch with jealousy any attempt to
powers to acts of aggression or injustice. Thus
shall conservatism and progress blend their har-
monious action in preserving the form and spirit
of the Constitution, and at the same time carry
forward the great interests of the country with
rapidity and energy which freemen only can dis
play.
In closing this, my last annual communication,
permit me, fellow-citzens, to congratulate you on
the prosperous condition of our beloved country
Abroad its relations with all foreign powers are
friendly; its rights respected and its high place
in the family of nations cheerfully recognized
AT home we enjoy amount of happiness, pub
lie and private, which has probably never fallen
to the lot of any other people. Besides affording
to cur own citizens degree of prosperity, OF
which, on SO large scale, know of no other
instance, our country is annually afording ref
uge and a home to multitudes, altogether without
example, from the Old World.
We owe these blessings. under Heaven, to the
happy Constitution and Government which were
bequeathed to us by our fathers, and which it is
sacred duty transmit in all its integrity to
our children. We must all consider it great
distinction and privilege to have been chosen by
the people to bear part in the administration of
such Government. Called by an unexpected
dispensation to its highest trust at season of en-
barressment and alarm, entered upon its duties |
with extreme diffidence. l claim only to have
discharged them to the best of an humble ability,
with single eye to the public good, and it is with
devout gratitude, in retiring from office, that l
leave the country in state of peace and prosper
ity. MILLARD FILLMORE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 1852.