The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-05-06
Caleb Castings speech.

1t was my fortune, Mt another time, to
stand on the summit Of the lofty ridge Of
land which divides the sources of the Mis-
sissippi from those Of lake Superior, Huron,
Erie and Ontario, having on my right hand
the waters Of that mighty river, which drains,
them, and flows on TO the Gulf of Mexico,
fertilixes the largest and the richest valley OF
cultivable land on the face Of the globe and
on my left hand that unique succession of riv-
ers and lakes-the rivers alternately expand
ing into magnificent fresh water seas, and
the seas narrowing again into beautiful riv-
srs, and so through forest and meadow, and
over cataracts and rapids, rolling on with
lavish profusion. thousand miles to the far
off Gulf of ST. Lawrence. Such was the
standpoint OF view. Before, behind, oil
around me, were noble forests OF oak. and
pine, and maple, and elm, earth born giants
of the primeval world: and beyond them,
stretching away to the uttermost bounds OF
the horizon, verdant savannahs, in oil the
luxuriance Of virginia. natures rnstinted
pro1igalty, sublimely immense as an ocean,
lovely as a dream Of Paradise. Streamlets
and lakes were sparkling amid the trees in
tho sunlight, like diamonds and sapphires
scattered over the rich tresses of some fair
maiden, as she steps in the pride Of her
beauty aud her youth. All that magnificent
scene, however, was but wilderness, where
she Indian still roamed at will in his native
forests, or padded his light canoe on river
and lake; and where no sign Of cultivation,
no mark OF civilization, was to be seen save
in the glorious banner Of the stars and
stripes floating over some military station or
outpost, to be witness Of tina omuipresent.
power Of the Union.
Here, again, the thought came to ms--can
il be that all this wealth Of land and sea Is
to remain lost to the uses Of human great
ness and happiness? Ii half tempted one to
impeach the Divine justice, to reflect that
millions and millions Of men were at that
hour sitting for want Of space in the crowd
ed countries Of Europe --s'cabned, cribbed,
confined" in narrow lands, where industry
had no field to work in, and ambition was de-
vouring his own heart for want Of scope and
object; and wives ana children were pining
away on the crusts OF restitution and misery
while here was earth enough to be the seat
OF imperial dominion, squandered, apparent
ly, on a handful OF untamcd and untamable
Indians. But impious would have been such
a thought the foolish impiety Of mans i'm
providence and ignorance. Gods wisdom 10
not our wisdom. He had his own great pur.
poses to work out IN his own good time, and
with the instruments Of his own election
For now there, also, American activity. in
dustry, enterprise, have been exerted and
yellow harvest fields on the prairie, busy
mills at the water-f fall, popuous communities
at the river side, have TRANSPORTED the face
OK the desert; apd another powerful State
-Minneso,a-kas arisen there, TO add to the
greatness Of the American Union.
Is not that manifest destinyf Il not that
providential mission? IL not that one OF
the steps in the ''mnrch, march, march" OF
The Union, which, when suggested by me on
a former occasion MT what the Union had per.
force to do, was taken TO be the personntion
81 some awful monster, shaking forth pes.
thence and death from its horrid hars Az.
IN the pioneer colony Of Massa chusetts.
doubled with Plymouth, on the very rock OF
teal, where free cc..c.c. -
self & overnment FIRST found footstand on
earth, and from which point, together with
The coeyal starting point of Jamesto own, there
no'ed the two parallel columns OF emigra-
ion which commenced Americas march--at
hat very place good and honored friend of
nine felt called upon to protest against nv
uggestion OF the onward ssmarch. march. |
march" OF the advancing hostA OF civilixa-
ION, liberty and power, which follow the |
eastward flight Of tho eagle Of the Union.
sssIos Of rnE AFRICAN KEPrBLIc TO con- |
OYER the coxriNEST.
say that every ship load Of colonists
ehich came in the beginning to Virginia and |
- Massachusetts,, who are but moving on |
tn an ae1eleratioa OF the original impetus
hich they gave US, and every ahip load OF /
selonists from Ireland and GERMANY. an and /
saeh one OF us are but the humble ministers
u bod, appointed to occupy, to cultivate
And TO ciyilire America. Ii il oppression
'eeking to be freedom. II is wan, demand.
ng to be want no longer. II IL the strong
nan without air and without room. ana aee
ermined i6ahave thrm or to die CALAMITY 10
no struggle for them. II istheirrspress bic
= pAnsion 81 oyer-comprcssed human ener.
,,ss u IL tho exodus Of the nations. Ii II |
DO ouspoar,ng Of the Too full blood II The
Ia world inlo all ths eapae.oss veins al The
90 cord. Il 10 the foundation 10 America
republican empires " oateoun, In num-