The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-16
The Anniversaries and their National In
6uence.


The anniversaries of several national organ
izations were last week celebrated at New
York with spirit, and the papers of that city
come to US laden with the record of their pro-
ceedngs. The "New York Institution for the
Blind" the American Home Missionary So
ciety," the National Temperance Society,"
the "New York Colonization Society,"" the
american Bible Society,"" the "Institution for
| the Deaf and Dumb" the american Tenn
perance Union" the "American Board of For
e;gn Missions" the american and Foreign
Bible Society" the Give Points House of In
dustry," the American Tract Society,"" and
the american Female Guardian Society and
Home for the Friendless," are among these
institutions. They are, in general, national in
their organization, and composed of people of
every locality, and Of many shades of thought,
feeling. and characteristic.
New York is the Jerusalem to which all re-
pair at stated periods, if not to worship, at
least for the interchange of thought, and for
consultation upon their future course of action.
Religion and philanthropy are the pervading
ideas in most of these assemblages, and if d.
versity of sentiment and avowed purpose exists
among them, it may not be ascribed to opposi-
ton IN the grand designs so truly as to varied
estimate of the proper means of concentrating
them. The relief of the afflicted, the refurma-
ton of the Incorporate, the reclamation Of NE
abandoned, the instruction of the ignorant, and
the conversion of the heather, are among the
purposes to be accomplished.
To all Of enlightened Christianity and pure
philanthropy that exist in these associations,
we bow with veneration; while whatever is
pharisaic, spurious, and fanatical merits our
pity. But we are free to declare our belief
that the sum of good intended greatly prepon-
derstes over all of evil and of folly, and that,
in the main, it is we'll for our country and man
kind that these institutions exist, and that they
should have their anniversary meetings in the
great commercial cities of the Union.
The principle of association or combination
the conference Of the masses for the accom-
plishment of certain definite aims and pur
pOses-is with US more powerful than the voice
or monarchy in the most absolute of despo-
tisms; and the social, political, moral and reli-
gious influence of the American people is,
probably, at this day, despite the restraints OF
arbitrary rule, more widely extended among
the great family of man than that of any
other people
These annual conversations Of men, delegated
to represent the ideas of their several constitu-
encies, give expression to the cool, well con-
sidered, and determined convictions of the
people. They reduce into method and eff
cheney the vague impulses of the millions; they
concentrate the thought of the nation; they
regulate the throbbings Of its great heart, anc
guide into safe channels the current of its
energies. And they do yet more: in bringing
together in friendly relations, untainted BY
controversy or composition, the people Of the
extremes of our Union, and, fostering thei
continued concert of action, upon subjects in
v0lving the heartfelt symPsthies of all, they
tend more to strengthen the bonds of our DO
litical conference than do any other affinitie.
existing among US.
So extended is the area of this Republic, ant
apparently 80 varied are the interests of tn,
different regions it embraces, that every ii,
that can possibly attach us to each other, ever,
means of INSTRUMENTATION, and every in
ducement for devotion to common pursuits
r should be cherished with tender and jealou
regard. Whether these conventions are hel.
At the North, 1t the South, 1t the East, or a
the West. it matters not. they be national ii
: their constituencies, and held for purposes II