Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-12-15

same sentiments, tnan every variety o.
climate or soil can be expected 10 fur
nish the same agricultural products,
they can unite in q common object and
sustain common principles essential to
the maintenance Of that object. The
gallant men Of the south and the north
could stand together during the struggle
of the Revolution; they could stand to-
gether in the more trying period which
succeeded the clangor of arms. As
their united valor was adequate TO all
the trials of the camp and dangers Of
the field, so their united wisdom proved
equal TO the greater task Of founding,
upon a deep and broad basis, institu-
tions, which it has been our privilege to
enjoy, and will ever be our most sacred
duty to sustain. It is but the feeble ex-
preston of faith strong and universal,
to say that their sons. whose blood min
gled so often upon the same field, du-'
ring the war Of 1879, and who have
more recently borne in triumph the flag
of the country upon a foreign soil, win
never permit alienation of feeling to-
weaken the power of their united ef--
forts, nor internal dissensions to para
lyze the great arm Of freedom, uplifted
for the vindication of self-government.
1 have thus briefly presented such
suggestions as seem to me especially
worthy of your consideration. In pro-
viding for the present, you can hardly
fail to avail yourselves Of the light
which the experience of the past casts
upon the future.
The growth Of our population has
now brought us, IN the destined career
of our national history, to point =
which it well behooves US Aexpend
vision over the vast prospective.
The successive decennial retI
the census since the adoption e
stitution have revealed
progressive development
stated, in general terms
tiOn every quarter-centu
forward, from the point slfs]
ed, for only a short period o.
applicable to the existence Of a nafIoz
this law of progress, if unchecked, VIII
bring us to almost incredible results.
A large allowance for diminished pro-
portional effect of emigration would not
very materially reduce the estimate,
while the increased average duration Of
human life, known to have already re-
suited from the scientific and hygienic
improvements Of the past fifty years,
will tend to keep up through the next
fifty, or perhaps hundred, the same ra-
ito of growth which has been thus re-
vealed in our past progress; and to the
influence of these causes may be added
/ the influx of laboring classes from east
ern Asia to the Pacific side Of our pos
sessions, together with the probable ac-
cession of the populations already ex-
isting in other parts of our hemisphere,
which, within the period in question,
will feel, with yearly increasing force,
the natural attraction of so vast, power
full, and prosperous a confederation of
self-governing republics, and Will seek
the privilege of being admitted within
its safe and happy bosom. transferring
with themselves, by peaceful and heal
thy process of incorporation, spacious
regions of virgin and exuberant soil,
which are destined to swarm with the
fast-growing and fast-spreading millions
Of our race.
These considerations seem fully TO
justify the presumption, that the law Of
population above stated will continue to
act with undiminished effect, through
at least the next half century; and that
thousands Of persons who have already
arrived at maturity, and are now exer-
cising the rights of freemen, will close
their eyes on the spectacle of more than
one hundred millions of population en-
braced within the majestic proportions
of the American Union. 1t is not mere
ly as an interesting topic of speculation
that present these views for your con-
sideration. They have important prae-
teal bearings upon all the political du-
ties we are called upon to. perform
Heretofore, our system of government
has worked on what may be termed
miniature scale, in comparison with the
development, which it must thus as
sumo, within future so near at hand,
as scarcely to be beyond the present Of
the existing generation.
II is evident that confederation so vast and
so varied both in numbers and in territorial ex-
tent, in habits and in interests, could only be
kept in national cohesion by the strietest fdel-
ity to the principles Of the constitution, as ul-
derstood by those who have adhered to the
most restricted construction ofthe powers gram
ted by the people and the States. Interpreted
and applied according to those principles, the
great compact adapts itself with healthy ease
and freedom to an unlimited extension Of that
benign system of federative self-government,
Of which it is our glorious and, / trust, immOr-
tai charter. Let us, then, with redoubled Wig
lance, be on our guard against yielding to the
temptation Of the exercise Of doubtful powers,
even under the pressure Of the motives Of con-
ceded temporary advantage znd apparent tam
pOrary expedieney.
Thc minimum Of federal government. COM
patible with the maintenance Of national unity
and efficient action in our relations with the
rest of the world, should afford the rule and
measure Of construction Of our powers under
the general clauses Of the constitution. A
spirit Of strict Difference to the sovereign rgAes
and dignity Of every State, rather than dis
position TO subordinate the States into pro-
vincial relation TO the central Authority, should
characterize all our exercise Of the respective
powers temporarily vested in us as a sacred
trust from the generous confidence of our con-
sfifuenfs