The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-10-10
Parties,

enjoying their, religion, there was but one
political party in the United States. When
our forefathers first conceived the project of
freeing themselves from British tyranny, il
was only for the purpose of securing that
liberty, which they could not enjoy as Brit
ish subjects. If Great Britain had been con-
tent to exercise moderate sway over the
colonies she would have still included this
country as one Of her dominions. The orig.
inal characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon race.
opposed oppression and insult, but as true
and faithful subjects, in the worlds history
they have never been equalled. The first
idea Of a Declaration Of independence was
engendered into the minds It's ,igners by
the tyranous and arbitrary conduct of the
mother country. What an admonitory les>
son docs our conduct at that period teach
other nations! What an admonitory lesson
does it teach us!
The rapid rise and progress Of this coun-
try, as compared with others, at once tells
us in the plainest language, that free Re-
publican Government in itself possesses the
elements of ulterior wealth and greatness.
10 give some idea what has been accom-
plished in comparatively short period, the
reader need only refer to the statistics of the
country. Within less than three quarters of
century Of national life, under this consti-
tuition, which declares that all men are born
free and equal, and which gives to one as su-
prene authority rs to another; the United
States of America has arisen to prouder
height of physical strength and of moral
power, than has ever been occupied by any
nation in the world. The allotted life of
man covers period equal to the whole ex-
istence of our mighty empire. Men are this
day alive who voted for the adoption Of the
Constitutions, and for Washington in 1889.
AT the end of the Revolutionary war, we
numbered about three millions people, now
one State, New York, has that number
Our whole population is about twenty-five
millions. Then we had nine hundred thous-
and square miles of territory; now we have
three millions ofsquare mies-half of North
America-thrce times as much as France,
Great Britain, Ireland, Austria, Prussia, Spain,
Portugal, Belgium, Holland, and Denmark;
domain rs large rs the Roman Empire ever
was. Using the langu ge of Daniel Web
ster, territory by the side of which the pos
sessions of the proudest European dypasties
are "but patch on the earth's surface" It
is ns far across the United States from New
York to San francisco, as from London to
lspaham. in Persia; from New York to New
Orleans is as far as from Paris to st. Peters.
burg, or from London to Constantinople.-
The Mississippi stwice as long rs the Dan
ube; the Ohio is GOO miles longer than the
Rhine. We can 60 on and enumerate our
great natural endowments. And again, We
might tell what energy and art have accom-
plished. We might tell of our Railroads,
Steamboats,, Telegrnphs, manufactures and
our general improvements in all the arts and
sciences. We are this day emphatieally the
greatest nation on the globe. Rome in the
height Of her splcndor and greatness, could
not compete with the United States to-day
in any branch Of physical or moral perfecti.
bi!ity. Weare great nation; and what has
made US suchs Our form of government.
We have worked hand in hand. NY labor,
instead Of impoverishing my neighbor, has
enriched him. BY mutual and beautiful
system of exchange, we have made our
country what il is. We have teen as one,
Ever since we entered heart and soul Ia a
mutual covenant to free our county, rscoC
MIXING no party lines, but united In senti
ment and feeling, we have succeeded far be.
yond human prediction, Shall we remain
soi This Is the important question of the
day. The last two or three years predict q
negative reply. Parties! partiesli partiesll
North, South, East and West, the cry Of
various and contending parties resonnd.---
Does the greatness Of our country, her rap.
i'd Increase in wealth and knowledge, intin,.
idatc as, that we should thus manifest our
discontent' Does the North require more
ofthe South, or Is the North fearful Of the
South's rapid advances, that she will not per.
NIT Us TO do with our own ne we pleasei---
@Forbearance ceases to be v,rtue,, and we
are sure the Anglo-Saxon spirit is still burn.
ing within rs, ms Il did In the time Of the
Revolution. The South win not submit.---
And yet, boldly as we declare It, an inward
monitor whispers In our ears, bs9are. an
unity there is strength" II the South will
thro~ off the calling yoke, she must pre-.
sent an unbroken 'front.' there must be No
division Of opinion; there mast be unity ol
feeling.
We should, for one, dislike TO see a diso.
luton Of the Union. AZ nation, we hay.
succeeded ss no other nation eysr has. Di
vide Us and we nay fall. AZ nation, ".
can defy the combined nations Of the world
bat once divide our forces, and we becom.
oa an equality. United as we are, we cas
show by our prosperity, 70 civilized nations
the blessings Of ibis form Of government
diyids, and we show an evidence Of weak
ness, the best evidence tha ire country /,
tee barge fos ias Form ef gossnment. U.