Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1855-02-28


duce me to support the measures which find
such favor in their eyes. So far as respects my.
self, it was the vacation Of the office that was ho.
ped for.
Mr. President, strange doctrines are abroad
and strange organizations are employed to pro-
mugate and enforce them. Our political histo-
ry contains no such chapter, in the progress of
our country, as that which is now opening. The
grave questions of constitutionality and policy
which have been so long the battle-cry OF par
ties, are contemptuously rejected, and intoler-
ance, religious and political, finds Jealous, and
it may be they will prove successful, advocates
in this middle of the nineteenth century, boast
ing with much selfcomplncency of its intelli-
gence, and in this free country, founded upon
emigration, and grown prosperous and power
ful by federation. IL is q system Of prescription
which would exclude the first general who fell
at the head of an organized American army-and
nobly and gallantly did he fall, while fighting
for our infant liberties, under the walls of Que
bec-from all political confidence, because he
happened to be born on the wrong side Of the
Atlantic and would exclude also the last sur
viving signer Of the declaration of Independence
from any similar token Of regard. because he
was a Catholic; were these eminent leaders ip
our revolutionary cause now living to witness
this appeal to local and sectarian prejudices.-
But Montgomery and Carroll went to their
graves with the weight of no such ingratitude
upon their hearts. Two great parties, equally
attached to the principles of our government,
but differing upon many questions of admins
tration and alternately borne to power and driv-
en- from it, whether in place or out of it, watch
ing each other with jealous scrutiny, present q
wise and fortunate arrangement for the preser-
vation of freedom and for guarding against the
abuse Of authority. Such has been our condi.
ton, well and wisely has its work been done.
What new experiment is needed! What more
does this latel ely-awakened zeal propose! As a
country, we are in the possession of everything
the heart of man can desire--power, inteli-
gence, prosperity, happiness, abundance, free
dom, equality, the religion Of God and the re-.
spect Of man--al the elements, indeed, which
give value to social life or security for the du-
ration of political blessings. We want no
new parties, no new platforms, no new organi-
cations, and the sooner these dangerous efforts
are abandoned, the better will it be for us and
those who are 20 follow us in this heritage of
freedom.
During the process of constructing party
upon this narrow basis of exclusion, humbly af.
fecting to know nothing, while resolutely de-
termined to direct everything, and especially of
constructing one with principles of organiza-
tion not only secret in their operation, but seek
ing unity of action, not in individual convic-
ton and responsibility, but in the surrender of
the will of each to the demands of those who
gain the direction of these associations-du-
ring this process, se public mind must be in
state of feverish excitement, unfriendly to calm
deliberation; and majorities acquired by combi-
~. Of th ,tatn of do
not act under the " fair and proper circumstan-
ces" which declared in 1850 to be indispensable
to the obligatory force Of legislative instruc-
tions.
am firmly persuaded that the adoption of eli.
ther Of the measures, much more of both, de-
manded by the legislature of Michigan, would
be the signal for the breaking up OF this govern
ment, and the dissolution of this confederacy-
| know there are many honest men who scout
at every idea Of danger, and many others who,
while admitting it, are yet prepared to meet it,
let it bring what disasters it may-prepared to
sacrifice this magnificent structure of freedom,
to one overpowerng impulse, which leads cap.
tive alike the heart and the understandings
This is no time to surrender the outworks of
the citadel, to abandon the securities which wis.,
dom and patriotism have provided, and to
throw away all the checks we possess against
rash and dangerous Innovations For myself,
sir, if Providence permit, shall remain in the
position occupy during the residue of my term
Of service, unless, indeed, the democracy Of
Michigan should require me to do what my con-
victions Of duty would prohibit me from doing !;
in which event should retire, without hesitation,
to private life, where indeed am sufficiently
warned, by the years that have passed over me-
] must soon retire, come what may. But as
my life draws towards its close-age, as it ad-
vances-instead of enfeebling, adds strength 20
my love Of country, and continues to console
me with bright hopes of her future power and
stability
What fear above all is, that in the providence
of God, we may be struck with that judicial
blindness with which nations are punished for
national offences, and thus add another to the
melancholy list of people who had not wisdom
enough to appreciate the value of free nsttu-
tions, nor virtue and firmness enough to main-
tain them.
Some one was telling Sam Hyde about the
longevity Of the mud turtle. eyes," said Sam,
&" know all about that, for once found a ven-
erable old fellow in my meadow, who was so
old that he could scarcely wiggle his tail, and
on his back carved (tolerable plain considering
all things) these words Paradise, year l, Ad-
am"
Never nod to an acquaintance at an auction
We did so once, and when the sale was closed