The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-09-02

which only mad fanaucsm would recklessly desroy-an
impossibity.
Strive, said he to compute the value Of this peerless In
heance both by what ii and BY blessings which
i has already conferred, and how vain all efforts
az eompuatonl TIE great and enerossng question which
under existing circumstances should call for the profound
est deliberations of every WHO values the boon Of
eiyl ana religious liberty is how 10 preserve that
which u once Lost can be recovered The gen.
eral answer must be; by all possible means but chief
~ by habitual reverence for every principle and
q cheerful obedience TO every requirement TO which
our fathers pledged themselves, and bound US their
children by sacred maintenance not only in letter but
10 spirit Of all the provisions of the bond In
country so vast this diversified In climate soil pro-
dncuons interests and population il was vain to expect
the prevalence Of the sentiments in
the same opinions But this during the
ution-!ust as true at the adoption Of the consti-
tndon, which embraced the then thirteen States as
u IS now. II then perfectly understood. But
the generation Of our fathers were not merely brave
and patrotci they were epinently vice and prac-
teal men, They saw how vain would be the attempt to
preserve the liberties OF this country without cordial
union upon all questions which could be better and
more safely inrusted to the States and they made the best
provision for this diversity which human wisdom could
devise Under that provision, said he cherish and
love, az do, the institutions of the State in which was
reared You, and these our countrymen from whatever
region they may have come from toe Madawaska 70 the
Capes OF Florida do the same and the who in
ereres with the enjoyment of rights and privileges in
this regard, and in all others fails to keep faith and is
recrean TO the most sacred inuncons Of duty 1t is
matter what peculiar views may be, what preju-
dices may take possession Of our minds hearts, If
American ind constrained by
higher more imperative than this law, then deny
the obligations which the constitution imposes and can
have no just claim to the protection and blessings which it
coniers
The President said he appfehended that the great danger
TO be guarded against the present time, the preva
ence of bereses which in direct anagonism with the
basis doctrines and principles Of the constitution and,
perhaps he might say general want of Difference TO the
authority Of law Let il be remembered that whenever in
State Territory, from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast
single citizen OF the republic deprived Of the right
II
constitution itself 1t matters not whether that citizen be
wronged by evasion violence and let also be
membercd that he suffers not aone The whole frame
work OF system TO greater or less extent inevitably
feels the shock Hence obedience TO the fundamental law
and TO all laws national State local or municipal
acted In snbordnaon thereto, is the lesson first to be
taught and last TO be disregarded.
The President remarked in conclusion, that although
assembled here for relaxation, and to enjoy the
noble and hracng atmosphere could not be
mindful of the soil upon which trod conld if
would withhold cheerful grateful homage from the
mother of States and statesmen Here she stood with
all the glorious memories OF the past and the kinding
hopes OF the future clustering preemineny around the
fields of her victory and the tombs of her sages Here
upon her calm bosom repose the ashes of the Great Cap
tain who thoroughly inspired with the idea Of patriotic
nationality solved under the providence of God the prob
lem Of independent sovereignty for this contnent Here
the learning which be established, rises the
modest shaft which points to the burial spot of the bold
but sagacous and phiosophic reormcr who promulgated
and developed in the Declaration of independence and in
the of 37 "o establish religious freedom in Virginia.
Incorporated into her constitution, the great prnc
pies Of civil and religious liberty! eH
Here too lived and died the calm and learned statesman
who, than any other, contributed to the formation
as the perfection of the details of the complete Of
government under which live, who justly be said
TO have launched the constitution and to have been the
pilot during the first Of the great experiment Here
the home of that matches orator whose tongue
ed 10 have been touched with alive coal from off the
altar of liberty and whose voice pronounced
those inspired sentiments which choered the hearts of
Samuel Adams and John Hancock in Faneuil Hail. How
amazing that in the development of great events in the
worlds history snch allotment should have fallen to
single State Long may Virginia maintain her present
position, encouraging by her precept and her example
hopes Of Union which shall never perish
The President assured President Tyler hat he should
gladly accept his invitation to become better acquainted
with the of his countrymen here assembled,
who had given him reception cordial, in
agreeable.