Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-08-27
Hon. John L. Dawsons Grafton.

We have peruscd with pleasure and profit the
grafton pronounced before the Literary Societies
OF " Washington College, on June 18th, by the elo-
quent statesman whose name heads this notice
lt Is characterized throughout by that practical
eioquence, for which Mr.. Dawson is distinguished
his ardent devotion to his country never fails to
display itself on every proper occasion. We SUI
JOIN an extract from tho oration, which is reeuar-
ly eloquent on this subject
fubllc opinion is everywhere, and inevitably.
tending to freedom. knowledge of the rights
OF the individual, and a sense of his Importance
cannot but be the result of the hurrying to and
fro OF the nations. and their meeting and ming
ing IN friendly intercourse in the great marts Of
mankind. All this is familiar reflection. and
doubtless there is much Justice in its conclusions.
icannot, however leave this topic without revert
ing, for moment to one prominent circumstance
IN our history. Who can have failed to note in
the consideration of this subject. how far above
the petty sectional and party questions of the day
stand the purposes and motives IN which oripf.
mated this Union. Did not the same sectional
causes of difference exist then, as now? How
did the men of '76 and '89 deal with them Did
they consider them Of such paramount impor-
tance to outweigh the Union ?-you know that on
the contrary, other question was regarded a.
OF any importance. except secondary to it's pre-
servatlon. How comes it, my young friends,
that the Union is now held so cheapi-that we
seem intent on stretching every cord that holds il
tegether, as if to test how much they viii bear
without swapping Is it not because. elatefl with
prosperity, our minds are diverted from the 1us.
trious examples of our conscrpt Fathers Let
us not forget the greatness of the trust reposed in
us! Let us remember that the PERMASENCr OF
the Union is the experiment which we are making,
Let us DO sensible Of the superior Importance.
above all other questions and considerations of
preserving Its integrity The peculiar institr1-
tons Of portion of the country, are evils of \
subordinate degree. and no pretcnsions to states
manship can he admitted which do not embrace
this as the primary element. Time. interest and
advancing civilization will carry that peculiar
race into the distant South, preparatory to their
return to their original home. lust as certainly as
thc waters + TIC Mississippi arc drained into the
Gulf. 1t is impossible in tie nature of tl.ir cs
that two distinct races can for anv great neriod
co-e1ist on this continent With the landing of
James River, began the gradual disarpsarsnce Of
the Indian and as settlement and civilization sd-
vanced. his track has been from his native hunt
ing grounds toward tho setting SUM- In the ex-
cess of their prosperity. both View England and
the South. Prone to undcrvalue the Union.
and to suppose they shcslld flourish AS well with
ont it. They are committing great ,nd lament
able mistake. They would he shorn of their con-
sideratlon among the nations of the world and
their power too would consequently he gene
Let them decide whether the insignificant evils
under which they complain. arc at ali con-
parable TO those which they should then be call
cd uron to endure. If they cannot now adjust
their sectional differences within the Union what
probability is there that they will have better sue
cess. when split into dozer rettv states. where
TIE causss of disuninn will be multiplied indefi-
nitely. from the cxcusiveness Of local systems.
and the absence of a common tis
1t depends. believe. above all other things
under Providence. upon the education or training
which is given to the young. how long shall be
the duration Of tlis grand and beautiful fabric
| allude not much to the mere training of the
school or recitation room. though this is great
and essential portion. hut tn that larger and still
more useful education which is conducted at home
and in society. 1t is all important that the young
mind should be secured from the contagion of
evil example, Juvcnal's admonition is as peril
nent now when first uttered. 1t is all impor-
tant that it should learn dociIc submission to
wholesome discipline. That it should be accus-
toned from the earliest years to contemplate the
best examples Of excellence that il should thus
be brought to the comprehension Of the social and
relative duties to the understanding of Justice
and love of its exercise and to feel deep
erence for law, This, with proper instruction in
the history, the foundation. and practical work
ing of our government. and with such accom-
plishments of speech and Of writing as shall ena-
bic you best t. explain and to defend the truth
would seem to form the best preparation for the
future citizen.
With this training and with the knowledge
which it is permitted you to acquire within these
walls, you may emerge into the world and aspire,
with well founded hope, TO the high places of so
ciety, and full share of the honors and prizes
of life.
NOVEMBER is THE TINS TO DRIVE THEM =
Rev Dr. Bethune, in his address at the inau-
guraton of the statuate of Washir rgton, spoke
as follows of the Father of his country, our
Union, aud of those who would tear it asun-
der:
God made him. and gave him to US. in him
self the type of what our Republic should be,
in all his elements great. even consistent-each
vigorous in its own action, yet all held in har-
mouous balance by the unity of a single pur-
NJ