The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-20

had made, and Without Internal lfade without external
commerce. and 10 fact, without government Tor the
protection OF social order or The prevention oil foreign
aggression and indeed, the institutions oil TIE country
maintained by the character OF the people ana no.
by political organization. The seventy years which have
since passed away have than quadrupled me area
OF territory have increased our population eghtlola
and have added TO our productive industry 70 our com
merce aud navigation revenue and resources ana
all The other elements OF power and prosperity IN
still greater ratio lille they have given us agovefnmen
aud Institutions as free as compatible win the PRESET
walton OF order and have placed among The great pow
Of the EARTH with none 10 make us afraid Ana a.
the time intellectual Improvement has Kept pace
with our material advancement and our whole progress
is without example in the history OF nations Il
Now, sir in this state OF things lei no man despair OF
tue future. Let fear that his country VIII mol,
later, up her proper work, without pre-
SUMPTION but without hesitation Our progress is from
day day. but the steps which mark our career before
the world the decennia periods, when the number
ing of the people, dscoses results surprising even TO
ourselves and almost incredible the other nations OF
Chrstendom Eight OF these have lived 10 and the
gigantic strides they mark indicate future which Is al
most appalling 10 the imagination II thus magnificent
destiny gratifying to national pride. but IN
prospect boandless in its power for evil or Tor good
brings with it OF ejaculation for every true Amer
ican il brings also grave responsibilities, which cannot
be eyaded, and ought not TO be neglected.
II is thus we have a MISSION t, in the example we
may offer and in all just efforts 70 promote The extension
OF freedom, the advancement OF knowledge, and the es
adjustment OF all the great principles on which pubic
and private prosperity depends.
In looking back upon our progress from infancy 70 ma
tufty is obvious that have submitted 10 much that
and contumelous because we had tstrength
to resist, should now do, professions not less re,
markabe for their injustice than for the presumption and
perlinacity with which they urged. We had true
patriots those days Of weakness 10 guide and counsel
us, and well did they fulfil their trust But we had to bear
much because could fobear when we could mol avert
ayenge.
But old things have passed away, and with the power
has come the determination OF the American people 10
protect their interests and their honor wherever and when
and however these may be assailed Why sir Is
difficult Tor this generation to believe and to The
next i would appear perfectly Incredible unless eslab
lshed by the rIeragabe evidence OF public records that
for twenty years seriously argued with England, IN la
bored diplomatic notes. whether her naval officers had
right to and search vessels wherever these might
be me, on the ocean, and take thence their wills
any person they might nd and consgn him 70 that worst
OF slavery the slavery Of unlimited service on board hos
tile ship fight against his own country Well sir, we
have exhausted that argument and shall supply lis place
by other means. We have got far beyond discussion,
and the frs, impressed from American vessel by
British officer whose act is recognised by his govern
ment, will be the signal Of Nor shall we ever
again discuss the legality OF Berlin and Milan DEGREES.
and all the other schemes OF rapacy by which neutral
property was stolen during the terrible contests arising
oul OF the French revolution schemes which were de-
Tended in elaborate State papers. upon a bighwaymans
plea that he robs you because you have BEEN or will be-
robbed by some one else. All this too, is with the
things that have been And think you sir, that the time
will return when third OF the territorial extent OF
Of the States Of this Union will be ceded apon such
preexts those which dsmembered the State OF Maine
Never, in my opinion was there public claim urged
upon grounds SO utterly indeensibe that's but we
Welded, anu now let us make Inc best oil H. aCQu
ing resolution acquire strength lei as do Just what
is right, and demand il from others That is our true
policy and il is right that should exercise the same
authority the other powers OF the world, coequas
only position the declaration Of great principles Of
international law the true sentiment OF selfrespec VIII
teach long 10 maintain its inviolabily when
threatened with dangerous Innovations, hostile to The
freedom and independence OF nations. BY the same solemn
and authoritative procedure that which announces s
peril Ii we choose that our Chief Magistrate should
hat, and not crown, we desire II 10 be under
stood that just jealous OF rights and honor
and have just much OF both. the gaudest monarch
of them all
We committed great error. no, fatal one, that it
would be difficult TO do in condition OF elasticity,
when last refused pass declaration deny
ing the Emperor OF Russia the authority he had
sumed TO act the part OF universal legislator and to I'm
press his will upon the code OF the public law OF
mankind, prostraling with his pen preparatory 10 pros
political rights OF nations Well, we shrunk also from
this high duty. We got alarmed at the shadow of some
hing-I do not know precisely what whether Russian
ukase entanglng alliances and left the Car to pass
his law, and 10 enforce H. too. And hereafter when
the occasion comes-and it will come, for power like
the daughters of the horseleech, always cries. give,
give-he will be able TO quote his own precedent. sub
med TO in both hemlspheres, and seek to regulate the
whole subject of International communication and OF ma
uonal rights by ukase, as he regulates the lives and
fortunes OF the sixty millions OF people who call HIM
lord and master. In bret time shall abure all this,
as well subservience as his presumption, and
assume place in the great legislative council OF ma
tons.
We have evidently reached one of those epochs in the
career OF nations which the historian OF their decline
aud fall looks back his searching investigation, into
the causes OF their fate Our duties plain, noble in
deed and our position invites TO fulfil them firmly and
fearlessy. The progress and Improvement in all the
great branches OF human industry and especially IN those
which relate the INSTRUMENTATION OF nations, and to
the benefit that each may derive from all by the inter
change, well OF knowledge as OF material products,
have brought the human family more closely llto con-
tact than at any former PERIOD and have opened interests
which, II not new, have become much more powerful IN
their extent and operation, and which give degree
OF unity TO the public feeling Of the world. We cannot
withdraw from this great association We cannot isolate
ourselves from the common sentiment OF the age, nor
ought do so, il could Our place assigned TO
us by events almost beyond control, and we fill
il, worthy or unwonhly, the judgment of the future
will pronounce us the inherilors of the spirit as we
have been OF the abors and sacrifices of the OF the
revolution craven descendants, false to their princi
pies to honor. am well aware, MIR. Presi-
den that such views expose man TO great deal OF OBJ
loquy IN this country. have experienced all that, in
with many others But neither the advent, nor
the apprehension OF IT, has deferred at much earlier
periods Of life and certainly will not deter now, when
that life is fast drawing 10 close, from the expression
OF an hope that the American and tame will
be maintained by the American people with the bright
ness OF true glory, undimnished by the neglect of sin
gle deed, or the commission of single deed, which
national honor may require we should do or leave
done.
There are men, American citizens even, who cannot
appreciate sentiments like tbese-who dsbeeve in their
existence and who dede and denounce all those who
avow them demagogues-that is the term--and which,
when truly translated from our party vocabulary into
od-iashioned English, means all who differ in great