The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-12-11
BancrOftss Address.

The Newly ork papers of Tuesday contain
Mr. BANcRoFrs Address, delivered at the first
semi-ccntennial celebration of the New Y ork
Historical Society. 1t is an elaborate exposi
ton and vindication of his theory of the Pro
gress of the Race methodical in argument,
polished in language, and Astounding in strik-
ing sentiments. 1t will probably be published
in some permanent form, and will be generally
read. He "magniies his own Office" in the
following passage, which is none the less true
than beautiful
1t is because God is visible in history that
its office is the nObest except that of the poet.
The poet is at once the interpreter and the ia
voritc of heaven. He catches the first beam
of light that flows from its uncrcated source.
He repeats the message of the Infinite, with
out always being able to analyze it, and often
without knowing how he received it, or why
he was selected for its utterance. But history
yields in dignity to him alone, for it not only
watches all the great encounters of life, but re-
calls what had vanished, and partaking of a
bliss like that of creating, restores it to ami
mated being. The mineralogist takes special
delight in contemplating the process of crys-
talization, as though he had caught nature at
her work as geOmetrician ; giving herself up
to be gazed at without conccalmcnt such as
she appears in the very moment of ACTION
But history, as she reclines in the lap of etcr-
nifty, sees the mind of humanity itself engaged
in formative efforts constructing Sciences pro-
mitigating laws, organizing commonwealth,
and displaying it's energies in the visible move
ment of its intelligence. Of all pursuits that
require analysis, history therefore stands first.
1t is equal to philosophy ; for as certainly as
the actual bodies forth the ideal, so certainly
does history contain philosophy. 1t is grander
than the natural sciences for its study is man,
the last work of creation, and the most perfect
in it's relations with the Infinite.
The address closes with the following brief
but inspiring sentences:
The course of civilization flows on like
mighty river through boundless valley, call
ing to the streams from every side to swell its
current, which is always growing wider and
deeper, and clearer as it rolls along. Let US
trust ourselves upon its bosom without fear !;
nay, rather with confidence and joy. Since
the progress of the race appears to be the
great purpose of Providence, it becomes us all
to vcnerate the future. We must be ready to
sacrifice ourselves for the coming generation,
as Lney III Lnclr TURN must i've Tor their pos
terity. We are not to be disheartened that
the intimate connection of humanity, renders
it impossible for any one portion of the civi
lied world to be much in advance of all the
rest nor to grieve because an unaltcrablc con-
ditiOn of perfection can never be attained
Every thing is in movement, and for the bet
ter, except only the fixed eternal law, by which
the necessity of change is established; or rath-
or except only God,who includes in himself all
being, all truth and all law. The subject of
mans thoughts remains the same, but the sum
Of his acquisitions ever grows with time so
that his last system of philosophy is always the
best, for it includes every one that went before.
The last political state of the world, likewise,
is ever more excellent than the old, for it pre-
sents in activity the entire inheritance of truth,
fructifed by the living and moving mind of a
more enlightened race.
You, brothers, who are joined together for
the study of history, receive the lighted torch
of civilization from the departing half century
and hand it along to the next. In fulfilling
this glorious Office, remember that the prnci-
piles of justice and sound philosophy are but
the inspirations of common sense, and belong
of right to all mankind. They must therefore
be carried FORTH that they may become the
possession of the people for so only can soci-
ETY. build itself up on the imperishable ground
work Of universal freedom.