Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-08-06


sand miles Oh founded upon the right Of discovery and
neither the arts the arms the diseases nor the
vices OF civilized life had commenced that terrible
fare against them which has since been pushed to their
| determination
On that day and in this condition Of the American
races handful Of care-worn twice dooraed English
exiles set sail from DeftHavep in Holland, with the in
tenon, after being Joined by few brethren Of the faith
IN England to encounter the then much Threaded pers OF
the Atlantic, and the still formidable uncertainties
Of the projected settlement the outer edge of the New
World Two centuries ard third have passed the mo-
mentous ages of national Infancy childhood and youth
have been rapidly lived through and six prosperous
pubcs, parents Of still increasing family OF States in
the boundless West have grown up in tile wilderness In
the mean time in this part Of the continent the native
inhabitants have sunk far below the point of comparative
weakness down to the verge of annhlaon and we have
assembled and here celebrate the day where this
al-imPortant change commenced.
aude, Mr.. President, to this revolution in the con-
don of this continent aud the that occupy IT, not
as introducing narrative Of familiar incidents train
OF commonplace reflections, but pointing directly TO
the great problem which first presented itself the dis
covery of America and the agency Of the Pilgrim Fathers
II a solution; an agency whose first pubic manlesa
ton might be said commence with the memorable
enbarcaton at Delft Haven which have just referred
The discovery itself Of the American continent may,
think fairly be considered the most extraordinary event
in the history Of the world In this as in other cases,
familiarity bunts the edge of perceptions; but much
as have meditated and often as have treated this
theme, its magnitude grows upon with each success
sive contemplation. That continent nearly large
the equator lying between the western shores Of Europe
and Africa and the eastern shore Of ASIA with groups Of
islandsin either ocean, ne were stopping places on the
march ofdscoyery continent inhabited indeed by civ
ized races still occupied by Of the families
tonal man. that this great hemisphere say should have
five thousand upon the bosom Of
the deep mystery vast, within short distance,
and yet found out is indeed marvel Mute nature
if may express myself, had made the discovery to
the philosopher for the preponderance Of land in the
hemisphere demanded counterpoise in the west
Dar had ftni fna
the tropical forests where they grew Stupendous
currents, driven westward by the trade
Winds had wheeled their mighty textures along the Aer
coast and returned to Europe with tdings of the
everlasting breakwaters which had stopped their way
But the fullness of time he'd not yet Egypt and
Assyrs, and Tyre and Carthage and Greece and Rome
must flourish but fall before the seals broken. The
ancient civilization must be weighed in the balance and
found wanting Yes and more. Nature must unlock her
rarest mysteries the quverng steel must learn otrem
BILE to the pole the Astroabe must climb the arch of
heavens science must demonstrate the phercity OF the
earth which the ancents suspected but could not
the Press must scatter the flying of medieval dark
ness the creative instincts Of political inellec
tua and social life begin to kindle into action;
| and then the great discoverer may gAforth.
lie does 60 forth. The discovery is made the balance
OF the globe is redressed continent nearly equal IN
extent TO half the ancient hemisphere brought to
light What momentous questions present themselves!
Another world Is it twin sister Of the ancient world?
1t has mountains, and rivers and lakes and forests;
but does contain the homes Of man. cultivated races
BRETHREN separate perhaps higher paths of civilization
10 word, has the great Of humanity made i'm
mediate gain by the wonderful event which has added
much to the geography of the world before known?
The first contact answered these questions in the mega
tive The native races apparently incapable Of assim
lation, seemed doomed by mysterious Providence to
pass away The spaniard came upon them, borne on
winged Monsters they thought from beyond the
careering strange quadrupeds horse and rider, as
they supposed forming but ANIMAL and he advanced
under cover Of that fearful ordnance which they
l+nl ~
IN all these terrors, and he brought them death.
Those that escaped have borrowed little from as but
the poisoned cup the oathsome malady; the murder
Gus weapon. The skies mild the soil is fertile there
is every variety Of climate boundless theatre for hu
man enjoyment and actions but the appointed agent was
not there. Over the greater part Of the newfound
tinent society broken down by eternal between
neighborng tribes in its decrepitude and in
fancy had not yet risen even e tbs t
faithful partners Of his tohe horse the OK, the sheep,
and other still humber associates whose aid ibid but
know it lies at the basis Of his civilization; who fur
nsh much Of his food and clothing, meat milk eggs
and wool and skins, and relieve his weary muscles of
their heaviest burdens There is no civilized population
stand up and enter into equal comparison and gene
rivalry with Europe The discoverer has come but
the settler, the colonist, the conqueror-alas that
add, too often the oppressor and destroyer-are to
follow in his train BY these various agencies joyous
and sorrowfu through these paths Of triumph and VIC,
the culture Of the Old World the lapse Of successive
generations reformed of its abuses enriched with
arts animated BIZ broader spirit Of humanity, transfer
red from the privileged few to the of the comma
nifty is to be reproduced and perfected in the West.
need not say to this company assembled on the shores
Of the haven for which many noble hearts that ter
ribe voyage throbbed with sckening expectancythat
quiet haven where the fured her tatered sails
that 1reater, nober work performed by
man-truly the OPUS mcGauns The great work Of hunani
ty You bid speak Of that portion of it which devoly
ed the Pilgrims. Would TO Heaven could find words
TO do justice even to my poor conceptions and still
that could find conceptions not far below the
gust reality mighty work Of improvement in which,
Ina &c. L.z~ &c
the continen the poor solitary Mayfower say has
multiplied herself into the thousand vessels that bear the
tag OF the Union to every has scattered her progeny
through the land to the number Of nearly quarter Of
million for every individual in that dropping company Of
one hundreds and in place Of the simple compact which
was signed in her cabin has exhibited the admiration
Of mankind Constitution Of Republican Government for
al this growing family Of prosperous States But the
work s in its infancy. II extend throughout the
length and breadth Of the lands and what is not done d.
recty by ourselves must be done by other Governments
and ether races by the light Of example The work.
the work must 80 1t reach of the North to the
enchanted cave Of the magnet within ncver-metng bar
ers Of Arctic ice 1t must bow to the lord Of day the
Ntarpeak Of Chimborazo il must look up and worship
the Southern From the easternrnost cliff on the
Atlantic that bushes in the kindling dawn, the last
prohontory the Pacific which catches the parting kiss
OF the setting sun, it must make the ougongs OF the
morning and the evening to rejoice in the gladstone ght
Of morals, aud letters and arts Emperors and Kings
ments in Europemust engage in this work, in part
faithfCv AMI continent but no part Of it shall be 50
undertaken on the spot where we are now gathered by
| the Pilgrim Fathers Of New England.
Providence from the beginning strewed their path with
sautary hardships Formidable difficulties beset them