The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-07-08
PLATT.
SPEECH OF HON. j. l.. DAWSON AT PHILADELI
pHIA. sf


The following eloquent and pointed remarks were made
by the Hon. John L. Dawson at the recent celebration
Independence Square, in the city of Philadelphia:
Mr. PRESIDENT AND rELLow-crlznxs: However familiar
lied by frequent recurrence the occasion which calls US to-
geher the patriot contemplate 1t with feelings
OF indifference 30 pregnant with moentous consequences
to the world have been and still continue the which
recalled by this days observance that memory and
imagination alike fired in dwelling upon the past and
shaping tn, future T. Z not my purpose however IN
your partiaty to ihrude upon your patience but very
few of the suggestions perhaps not uninteresng which
the occasion gives rise.
And in the first place cannot omit at this time refer
to that recent event. perhaps the most important in
your civic hsorn consequence of which You stand be-
s ha s
held you Appropriate for the day which l,aows In our
affections the Union Of the States word Of congatua
ton npon the union OF your municipalities Auspcious of
good for your future be the act of your consoda-
ton!
The leading and honorable part taken by Philadelphia
in the formation Of our confcderacy consequence of
her territorial position less than her superiority in
numbers and the intellectual and moral character of her
population and if her energy and enterprise guided by
wise counses have raised her to position inferior none
of her sisters doubtless the energy the same skill the
same udicious expenditure of capital the generous
spirit of rivalry with infinitely greater variety of
and industrial pursuits will continue permanently
in the advance in all the elements of municipal prosperity,
the city of your attachments At this moment excepting
London the largest manufacturing city Of the world and
the natural market for the greatest dcpostes Of coal and
iron upon the globe she urging the extension into the
arthes ecesses of the great region west of those Of
ironthose veins and arteries Of whis
promoting vigorous and hcathfil circulation between
the city and rural districts will furnish the surcst basis
great and permanent external commerce. CONTINUED
cheering But Philadelphia the metropolis Of Penn
sylvanin is destined to greatness which can be meas
ured only by that of the State of whose wealth and re
sources she the exponent.
Turning moment to the old Commonwealth, what ind
we among her sister States comparable with her? Wha
happy position in respect to climate which, while spYe
enough to impar energy to her Inhabitants is yet mug
enough to present Nature in her interesting ana
agreeable phases her landscape presents every variety
beauty and grandeur and while politically the balance
wheel of the confederacy her position etoraly one
the most commanding Importance Her eastern border
washed by the waters of the Delaware and touching o
extremity upon the great lakes; penetrated by the noF
Snsquchanna and its north and branches by the s
niata, by the Allegheny and the Monongahea her SUI.
face tissue Of railways and canals she holds at the SANG
time upon the west the keys Of the great valley Of the MISE
spp Enthusiastic cheering] With the finest coal hsl1'
in the world, her eastern Atlantic slope has market i
cd only by the seaboard while that upon the west
to the Gulf of Mexico. The Allegheny range wbicn w
vides her eastern and western portions is really mo
tain of iron covered with exhasess forests OF vas
timber, and whose soil is richer than great por'
Of New England 1t is also pertinent to the occasion W