Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard., 1853-01-12
For The Standard.
RISE AND PROGRESS OF AMERICA.


and the chaos of anarchy to TIE light of civilization
and regular form Of government. Very different
from this were the orig and progress OF the United
States. We commenced our national existence, as II
WERE noon-day and in the atu!e strength OF man.
hood. A portion of the most excellent and learned
men of the then most enlightened nation on earth
were removed from all The influence OF unjust laws,
unwise and oppressive usages. They came 10 this
country where they enjoyed liberty without restraint
But they were permitted 10 enjoy this liberty long
unmolested; for the iron arm of oppression soon
reached them in the wiIds of America, but having
tasted of the sweets of civil and religious liberty,
they firmly resisted every encrOachnent upon their
rights as freemen-hence arose the revolutionary
struggle. Long, doubtful, and bloody was the con-
6ic hut the cause of liberty trlumPhed, aud the en-
emies of the rights of man were driven back across
The Atlantic The progress of the United States is
without parellel The population in lhreeQuarters oil
a century has swecd from mere handful 10 nearly
80 millions of souls, the tide Of prosperity Is flowing
in from eveTy part of the compass, the stars and
stripes float in the breeze from the shores OF the
Atlantic 10 those of the Pacific But 1t we examine
the character OF those men who invented this com
pex and wonderful form Of government which at
once secures the freedom and happiness OF the peo
pe and serves as model for the nations, we sha IL
nd that they highly intelligent and Vrluous.
Now the inference is that if ii required these eminent
attainmsnts in those who framed and launched the
ship OF State, the similar attaInmentS are
requisite for those who to guide and keep her in
notion for ii is generally believed that II Is less dit
fcult to break the bands OF tyranny and become
free than L. IS 10 continue so. we may as well ex-
pect The moSSw carpets which spread themselves
over the storm-defying rocks of the mountains TO in
fuse vitality and lite into their iron bnsoms, as that
republican government can be perpetuated without
intelligence and virtue. The higher the tree grows,
and the its branches spread unless lis roots
strik deep and extend wide in proportion the
likely is it TO be hurled to the ground 0y the rude
storms of Heaven; if intelligence and virtue be
commensurate with the rapid growth of this great
Republic the greater is the probability that shall
fall into anarchy despoIism. II is then 10 the
scholar, the patriot, and the christian that We TO
look for the stability and perPetuity of free ins
iutons. TIE labOrs of our Legislators, our Magis-
rates and our MiIise must all be equally vain
less there is intelligence which they can act and
principles to which they can appeal. Recently the
of revolution rolled up to the totterng thrones
of the quaking despois of Europe, but not having
sufficient intelligence to direct its force ii broke and
rolled back, and found its common level in the Of
dsspoiism. II is, however, 10 this government that
the dow n-trodden millions Of the Old World look
with the most intense interest and anxiety II is, in
some sense, the hope of The world, and should it
continue in all itsprmitivs vigor and purity, it may,
perhaps, be said OF us, il was OF the Jews that
through US all the families Of the earth shall be
blessed.
In conclusion, permit young people, to address
myself particularly loyou. The fountains Of knowl-
edge open, 60 and freely drink /; let vain or
trrfing excuse keep you away; become intelligent
and religion and you Will certainly be patriotic and
useful whatever may be your condition in life aspire
10 education let not poverty or misfortune weigh
you down, arise and shake yourselves from the dust
of ideness; you have only to resolve and the work
is done; friends stand with hearts and purses
open you lit up your eyes the hill of science
what fadeess beauties decorate its lofty summit
while refreshing rills and flowers of every hue
adorn its sleepy sides. Bear your standard high and
hen,overeapng every impeachment, write your names
high the escucheon of usefulness, honor and fame
e. p. A*****.
Gold Hill, Dec. 9th, 1851.
WAsHINeToN-GEN. PIERCE. Washington cor
respondent says:
In looking back over the year, cannot fail 10
be struck with the Improvements that have taken
place in Washington. The city has Gdded over two
thousand souls TO its population within short time
past and the probability is that it will 60 ncrea-
sing at still greater ratio for time to come. Seve-
raj Of the principal streets have been well graded.
The public buildings have sreadily advanced Among
these may be named The additional wings TO the Pat
ent Office and the two Houses of Congress. AT the
railroad station of the finest depots in the Union
has been erected, while in the immediate vicinity the
large and prosperous forwarding establishment OF
Adams & Co., has heen located in a towering and
elegant edifce, with massive iron front. The
Washington monument has risen TO 100 feet,
and is likely TO GO up faster in 1885, than has gone
during any PTeVlou" year. AT the splendid build
ings oi tine Smithsonian Institute, the grounds are
being constantly beautIhed. The Navy Yard has
enjoyed material enlargement. In front of the Ex-
ecuIiVe Mansion, the garden plot and tho area across
the avenue have undergone and are undergoing quite
marked improvements L ne SnOTeS near the FStO-
mac need draining very much They mi ght be rend-
cred extremely beautiful, and could be kept with
but very little expense. Surely it is honorable 10
the country attend TO its capital. especially as it
bears the honored of the father of country,
Gen. Pierce was always popular in Washington.
N 10 of his years in the Senate could draw out
larger concourse of hearers, when it was known he
was going 10 speak. His pleasing manners always
commended him to all Who had the honor Of his
qnaint2nce; while his determined adherence 10 prin
cpe rendered him dear to the members OF his party.
Such, doubt not, will continue TO be his well de-
served popularity at the seat of government.
FUGITIVE SLAVES. A decision has lately been
made by the Supreme Court, in Fugitive Slave
case, sustaining the validity OF the State law of
Illinois, which prohibits the harborng and secrethg
fugitive slaves, hinderng the owner of such slaves
in retakiDg them. The UDioD in giving synopsis
of the opinion of the Court, delivered by Justice
GTier. says, that il maintains the right of Stale
protect itself from the evils which flow from the in
reduction of fugitive slaves. by Furnishing those who
harbor and secrete them. Two points were made.
fIct with that provision of the constitution of the
United States which requires the rendition of fugi
uves from labor, and the act of Congress to give ef-
feet TO that provision; aud it farther conIended
thai the statute void because it subjects the de-
llnquent of double punishment for the offence
one nnder the State law and the other under the
of Congress. The opinion of the Court overTuling
these objections the State law is clear and explic
It, and s expressed in language free from technical
tiles. The Court took occasion properly 10 rebuke
the wicked practice of those evil disposed men who
have done so much TO SOW discord among the States
oy their assaults upon the rights of Shareholders