The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-12-15


territory. Disturbing questions arose,
bearing upon the domestic institutions of
one portion of the eonfederacy, and in
volying the constitutional rigths of the
States. But, not withstanding differences
of opinion and sentiment, which then ex-
listed in relation to details and specific
provisions, the acquiesence ofdistinguish
ed citizens, whose devotion to the Uni
on can never be doubted, has given re-
newed yigor to our Institutions, and re-
stored sense of repose and security to
the public mind throughout the cenfed-
eracy. That this repose is to suffer no
shock during my official term, if have
power to avert it, those who placed me
here may be assured. The wisdom of
men, who knew what independence cost
who had put all at stake upon the issue
of the Revolutionary struggle disposed of
the subject to which refer, in the only way
consistent with the union of these States,
and with the march of power and pros
perity which has made US what we are
1t is significant fact, that from the a
doption of the Constitution until the Off
GERS and soldiers of the Revolution had
passed to their graves, or, through the in
irmities Of age and wounds, had ceased
TO particip ate activity in public affairs,
there was not merely quiet acquiesence
in, but prompt vindication of, the con-
stitutional rights of the States. The re-
served powers were scrupulously respect
ed. No statesman put forth the narrow
views of casuists to justify interference
and agitation, but the spirit of compact
was regarded as sacred in the eye of hon.
or, and indispensable for the great ex-
pertinent of civil liberty, which, enyironed
with inherent difficulties, was yet borne
forward in apparent weakness by pow
er superior to all obstacles. There is no
condemnation which the voice OF Free
dom will not pronounce upon US should
we prove faithless to this great trust
While men inhabiting different parts of
this great continent can no more be ex-
pected to hold the same opinions, or en-
tertain the same sentiments, than every
variety of climate or soil can be expected
to furnish the same agricultural products
they can unite in a common object and
sustain common principles essential to
the maintenance of thst object. The gal
liant men of the South and the North
could stand together during the struggle
of the Revolution; could stand together
in the more trying period which succee-
ded the clangor of arms. As their uni
ted 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 deep and
broad basis, institutions, which it has been
our privilege to enjoy, and will ever be
our most sacred duty to sustain. 1t is
but the feeble expression of a faithstrong
and universal, to say that their sons,
whose blood mingled SO often upon the
same field during the war of 1912, and
who have more recently borne in triumph
the flag of the country upon a foreign soil
will never permit alienation Of feeling to
weaken the power of their united efforts,
nor internal dissentions to paralyze the
vindication of self government.
l have thus briefly presented such sug-
gestions as seem to NE especially worthy
of your consideration. In providing for
the present, you can hardly fail to avail
yourselves of the light, which the expert
ence 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 at which it
well behooyes US to expand our vision O.
yer the vast prospective.
The successive decennial returns of the
census since the adoption of the constitu-
ton have revealed law of steady pro-
gressive development, which may be sta
ted, in general terms, as duplication ev-
cry quarter-century. Carried forward,
from the point already reached, for only
short period of time as applicable to the
existence Of nation, this law of progress,
if unchecked, will bring us to almost in
credible results. A large allowance for
a diminished proportional effect of emf
grafton would not very materially reduce
the estimate, while the increased average
duration of human life, known to have al
ready resulted from the scientific and by
gienic improvements of the past fifty years
will tend to keep up through the next
fifty, or perhaps hundred, the same ratio
of growth which has been thus revealed
in our progress; and to the influence of
these causes may be added the influx of
laboring masses from eastern Asia to the
Pacific side of our possessions, together
with the probable accession of the popu-
lations already existing in other parts of
our hemisphere, which, within the period
in question, will feel, with nearly increas-
ing force, the natural attraction of SO vast
powerful and prosperous confederation
of self governing republics, and seek the
privilege of being admitted within its safe
aud happy bosom, transferring with them
selves, by peaceful and healthy process
of Incorporation, spacious regions of yir-
gin and exhuberant soil, which are des-
tined to swarm with the fast growing and
fast-spreading millions of our race.
These considerations seem fully to JUS