The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-03-15

WAsnrNaroN. March 4. 1858


which have been borne to position SO
suitable for othersrather than desirable for
myself. The circumstances under which
have been called for limited time to pre-
side over the destinies of the Republic. fill
me with a-profound sense of responsibility,
but with nothing like shrinking apprehenr
sion. repair to the post assigned me,
not as to one sought, but in obedience to
the unsolicited expression of your will, sen.
sible only of a fearless, faithful and dill
gent exercise of my iest powers. fought
to be, and am trul. grateful for the rare
manifestations Of the national confidence;
but this, SO far from tightening my obliga-
tions, only adds to their weight. Yoo
have summoned me in my weakness, you
must sustain me with your strength. When
looking for the fulfilments of reasonable re-
quircments. you will not be unmindful Of
the great changes which have occurred e.
ven within the last quarter of century,
and the consequent augmentation and com
plexity of duties imposed on the admins
tfati6n,. both Of your home and foreign af-
fairs. Whether the elements of inherent
force in the Republic have kept pace with
its unparalleled progression in territory,
population and wealth, has been the sub
ject of earnest discussion on both sides OF
the ocean. Less than siSty-three years a
90, the Father of his Country made there
cent accession of the important State OF
N nth Carolina to the confederation of the
United States, one of the subjects of his
special congratulation. AT that moment,
however, when the agitation consequent
upon the revolutionary struggle had hard
ly subsidized, when we were just emerg-
IN from the weakness and embarrassment
of the confederation, there was an evident
conciousness Of vigcr equal to the mission
so wisely and bravely fulfilled by ourfath-
ers. 1t was not a presumptuous assur-
ance, but calm faith, springing from a
clearview Of the sources of power in agov-
ernment constituted like ours. 1t Is no pa
radox to say that although comparatively
weak, the new born nation was intrinsical-
ly strong. Inconsiderable in population
and apparent resources, it was upheld by a
broad and intelligent comprehension OF
rsghts, and an all prevailing purpose to
maintain them, stronger than armaments.
II came from the furnace the revolution,
tempered to the necessity of the times
The thoughts ofthe men of that day were
as practical as their sentiments were patri-
otic. They wasted no portion of their en-
ergies upon idle and delusive speculations,
but with a firm and fearless step, advanced
beyond the governmental landmarks which
had hitherto circumscrbcd the limits Of
human freedom, and planted their stand
ard, where il has stood, against dangers
which have threatened from abroad, and
agitation, which has at times fearfully me-
naced at home. They approved themselves
equal to the solution of the great problem,
to understand which, their minds had Been
illuminated by the dawning light of the
revolution. The object sought was not a
thing dreamed of; it was a thing realized.
They hsd exhibited not only the power to
achieve, but what all history affirmed to be
SO much more unusual, the capacity to
maintain. The oppressed throughout the
world, from that day to the present, have
turned their eyes hitherward, not to find
those lights extinguished, or to fear lest
they should wane, but to be. constantly
cheered by their steady and increasing ra-
dance. In this, our country has, in my
judgement, thus far fulfilled its highestdu-
ty to suAeringohumanity. II has spoken
and will continue to speak, not only by its
words, but by its acts, the language of
sympathy and encouragement to those who
earnestly listen for tones which pronounce
far the largest rational liberty. But, after
all, the most animating encouragement and
potent appeal for freedom will be its own
history, its trials and its triumphs. Preem-
inently the power Of our advocacy reposes
in our example; it cannot be powerful for
lasting good, whateverapparent advantage
may be gained, which is not based On eter-
nal principles of right and justice. Our
fathers decided for themselves, both upon
the hour to declare and the hour to strike.
They were their own Judges cf-the tircum-
stances under which it became them. to
pledge to each other their lives, their for
tunes, and their sacred honor for the ac-
QUESTION of the priceless inheritance trans
mitted to us. The energy with which that
great conflict opened, and under the guild
ance of kind and benefcent Providence,
The incompatible endurance with which it
was prosecuted to its consummation, were
only surpassed by the wisdom and patri-
otto spirit of concession which character
lied all the counsels Of the early fathers.
One Of the most impressive evidences Of
that wisdom is to be found in the fact that
the actual working Of our system has dis
PEELED a degree of solicitude which at the
outset disturbed bold hearts and far reach
Ing intelects. The apprehension of dan
gers from extended territory, multiplied
States, accumulated wealth, and augmen-
ted population, has proved to be unfoun-
ded. The stars upon our banner have
become nearly thrce-fold their original
densly populated possess
ions skirt. the shores of the two great
oceans, and yet this Vast increase, of pc ,ple
and territory has only shown itself compat-
ible with the harmonious action of the state
and the federal governments, in their re-