Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-10-28


nexion with its Government leaving all these in
the pure and unsullied condition in Tch l
found them. 1t will then be with no regret,
commit them to the guardianship, h some
measure, of another, who has been q bed by
the sovereign voice of The people to ths-execn=
.----------------'7-r~''-vr:~ preserve
the harmony and promote the prosperity and
happiness of the State.
We Ike in~an aEe when social privileges and
political freedom have attained hei yht, which
the world has never Witnessed before The
governments ofthe Old World exist in perpet.
usl struggle, resulting from habitual allegiance
10 old customs on the one hand, and the feab'e
bat Growing impulse to initiate the example set
the m this side the water, on the other. While
We witness with anxious int rest every popular
movement there, as involving to large extciit
the progress and eventual condition of the race,
we have abundant cause to felcitate ourselves
! as Americans, in the fact, that we have already
attained and enjoy what other nations are strug-
Cling so doubtfully to achieve. With us liberty
is the substantial reality of every day life. We
enjoy government which at once possesses tie
most efficient federal strength, and allows the
amplest exercise of State and personal freedom.
There is no people on the earth; who feel so lit
tie the weight and authority of government
In fact, it is by the benfts and protection it az
fords, that We are made conscious that we owe
allegiance to power beyond our State limits.
And vet, this general government sitting so
lightly upon the people, who are the subjects OF
il, is strong enough to maintain peace through
out our domestic territory, and to inspire. re-
spect for its power wherever our name is known.
Since my term of office began, one sdministra.
ton has retired land another succeeded at W ash
ington, and still all is quiet ct home and respect
ed abroad, showing the ready Obedience OF our
people to the law, and that foreign nations re-
gard the spirit and nationality Of the Republic,
rather than the citizen, who may be called for a
time, to preside at the helm Of pIblic affairs.
We have no standing army guarding the out
post of the country, and no fleets hovering a
bout our domestic ports darkening the face Of
foreign seas; yet we feel conscious Of oar inter
nal strength, m pre formidable than standing ar
niles, while or commerce, wherever wave and
tide may carry tits secure as if every merchant
man were conveyed by a navy. 1t is the trne
glory ofthe Republic that her strength is in the
freedom Of her people, in the spirits of her in
situations, in the humanity of all her laws and
dealings, in the truth in which her foundations
repose; and these cannot fail to carry power and
conviction wherever she has cause to vindi
cate, right to maintain, or principle to estab-
fish. Is it not then with just reason, that say,
we are favored people, and entitled to rejoice
in all that constitutes the greatness, the glory
and the happiness of nation?
If we have so much reason to felicitate our
selves as Americans, as Tennesseans, we have
no less ground for selfgratulaton. Nature has
been bountiful in the distribution of her favors
among us,and Tennessee is beginning to exhib-
it her gratitude for such bountifulness BY sys-
tematc enterprise which promises to develope
all her resources, and to advance her social and
commercial position among the States of the
tifcial outlets for her commerce and external
intercourse, and these are to be supplied by the
invention, the wealth, and the public spirit of
her people. AS the result of this necessity we
witness the construction of railroads in many
directions, and the projection of others in many
more. We may look to these public works rs
the source of great variety of public benefits.
The question has been fairly settled in other
States, and their rapid growth in wealth, popu-
lation and intelligence, amply establish the sec,
ond policy of such investments. One can scarce.
ly have just appreciation of these improve
ments, who has not been an eye witness Of their
practical workings.
IF railroads are essentially necessary in New
York and other States upon the sPahoar1; how
much more useful all necessary would they be
where there are but limited facilities nrtrade
and commerce. and in re -ions which possess no
natural highways? How else are the untold
treasures of our mountains. and the products of
our inland valleys to be made available in pro-
noting the prosperity of the State? Our mincs
of iron, copper, coal, and almost every variety
Of minerals, can be brought to the markets and
observation Of the world, only by affordng con-
venient access to them, and in a way to bear off
their rich deposites. Nor let it be supposed
that this is the only advantage be anticipated.
A new impetus will be given to every depart
ment of business. This increased activity will
afford additional encoura cement TO labor. the
ordinary result is, increased population.
At present many hundreds Of our citizens an
nually leave their homes to seek fortunes else
where, as imagination, enterprise or infor nation
may lead them. 1t should be the policy of the
State to check this continued stream of enigra-
ton by affording encouragement TO labor in all
the industrial pursuits. 1t has been said that