Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-12-09


a sacred in the eve of honor, and mdspcnsi-
far the great experiment of civil liberty,
sh enyironed by inherent difficulties, was
horn forward in apparent weakness by Il
fer superior 70 all obstacles. There il no CON
nnatien, which the voice of freedom will not
.ponnce upon Us, should we prove faithlcss TO
+. great trust. While men inhabting different
#. Of this vast continent can no more he expect
N hold the same opinions. or entertain the same
ailments, than every variety of climate or soil
be expected to furnish the same agricultural
ducts, taey can unite in Il common object and
ln common principles essential to the main
Ianee Of that object. The gallant men of the
nth aud the north could stand together during
struggle of the Revolution; they could stand
ether in the more trying period which sue
lied the elangor of arms. As their united val
vas adequate II all the trials of the camp and
5gers of the fields their united wisdom proved
lal 10 the great task of founding upon deep
broad basis Institutions which it has been our
fege to enjoy, and will ever be our most sacred
n IL sastan 1t is but the feeble expression
faith strong and universal to say that their
8swhose blood mingled SO often upon the same
ii. during the war of 1872, and who have more
emily borne in triumph the flag of the country
a foreign soil, will never permit alienation
feeling to weaken the power of their united eff
rs, nor internal dissentons to parayze the
eat arm Of freedom, uplifted for the vindica-
M Of self government.
have thus briefly presented such suggestions
seem to me especially worthy of your consid-
alton In providing for'the present, you can
rlly fail to avail yourselves of the light which
experience of the past casts upon the future.
The growth of our population has now brought
in the destined career of our national history,
point AT which it well behooves us to expand
vision over the vast prospective.
The successive decennial returns of the census
nee the adoption of the constitution have reveal
law If steady progressive development,
bcl may he stated, in general terms, as II du-
eation every quarter century. Carried for
ard, from the point already reached, for only
orf period of time as applicable to the existence
anation this law of progress, if unchecked,
III bring Us to almost incredible results. A
rec allowance for a diminished proportional eff
of immigration would not very materially re-
zee the estimate, while the increased average
ration of human life, known to have already
suited from the scientific and hygcnc improve
nts of the past fifty years, will tend to keep up
rough the next fifty, or perhaps hundred the
me ratio of growth, which has been thus re-
aled in our past progress; and to the influence
these causes may be added the influx of labor
MASSES from Eastern Asia to the Pacific side
our possessions, together with the probable :
cesson of the populations already existing in
her parts of our hemisphere, which, within the
Rod in question, will feel with yearly increas-
force, the natural attraction of so vast, pow
tu, and prosperous IA confederation of self
yerning republics and will seek the privilege
beng admitted within its safe and happy bo-
I'm, transferring with themselves, by peaceful
healthy process of incorporation, spacious
gans of virgin and exuberant soil, which are
10 F,,+ f,...
reading millions of our race.
These considerations seem fully to Justify the
resumption that the law of population above sta
will continue to act with unfinished effect,
rough at least the next half century and that
ousands OF persons who have already arrived at
bturlty and are now exercising the rights of
temen, will close their eyes on the spectacle of
ore than one hundred millions of population
lbraced within the majestic proportions of the
nerican Union. 1t is not merely an interest
topic of speculation that | present these
ws for your consideration. They have impor-
bit practical bearings upon all the political du-
swe are called upon to perform. Heretofore,
system OF government has worked on what
" be termed Il miniature scale, in comparison
th the development, which it must thus as
me- within future near at hand, scarce
obe beyond the present of the existing gener
on i
Its evident that confederation so vast and
Rried, both in numbers and territorial extent, in
bits and interests, could only be kept in nation
cohesion by the strictest fidelity to the prncl-
Of the constitution, as understood by those
10 have adhered to the most restricted CON
faehon OF the powers granted by the people
the States. Interpreted and applied accord
to these principles, the great compact adapts
1t with healthy ease and freedom to an unm-
extension OF that benign system of federatiye
*f-government, of which it is our glorious, and,
CRUST Immortal charter. Let us, then, with re-
Pabied vigilance, be ON our guard against yield
hg to the temptation of the exercise of doubtful
n powers, even under the pressure of the mo-
" OF conceded temporary advantage and ap-
erent temporary eXpediency.
8 The minimum of federal governments compat-
lDe with the maintenance of national unity and
81 eient action in our relations with the rest of
q world, should afford the rule and measure of
obstruction of our powers under the general
g Uses OF the constitution. A spirit of strict
&lerenee 10 the sovereign rights and dignity of
q erf State, rather than disposition to subordi-
n le the States into provincial relation to the
9ntal authority, should characterize all our ex-
|aelses or the respective powers temporarily YES
"a II Us as sacred trust from the generous CON
|hence OF our constituents.
/ IN like manner, as mantestly indispensable
ua9toh Of the pcrpetuation of the Union, and
II the realization of that magnificent national flu
4 Ff adVerted to, does the duty become yearly
nfonger and clearer upon us, as citizens of the
y Rera States TO cultivate Il fraternal and affec-
y mate sprt language, and conduct, in regard
+" DINER States, and in relation to the varied in
rests institutions, and habits of sentiment and
'aon' which may respectively characterize
N II, Mutual forbearanee, respect, and non
Ii'Iehee IN our personal action as citizens,
Il, an enlarged exercise of the most liberal prin-
- OF comfy inthe public dealings of State with
whether in legislation or in the execution of