The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-03-25

when first came 10 Congress, was bat little
over two millions now II IS upwards OF FIVE
millions, more than double. Our exports of
domestic manufactures were only eleven mill
lion dollars in round numbers; now they are up
wards Of thirty million. Our exports OF domes-
tic produce, staples. &c, were then under one
hundred million dollars now they are up
wards Of three hundred million The amoun!
of coin in The United States, was at that time
about one hundred million now ii exceeds
three bandiec million The cotton crop then
was but tiiiy-idur million; now it is upwards
of one hundred and sixty million dollars. We
had then not more thap five thousand miles of
railroad IN operation we have now bot less than
twenty-six thousand mlles-more than enough to
enciTcle the gIo5e-and at cost Of more than
one thousand million dollars. Al that time,
Professor Morse was engaged in one of the
rooms Of this Capitol in experimenting on his
unprotected idea ofan electric telegraph
there was as much doubt about his success, as
there Is at present about the Atlantic cable
but there are more than thiFty-hg thousand
miles in extent ofthese iron aefres sent forth
in every direction through the land, connec-
ting the most distan; points, and uniting all
together as if under the influence of a common
living sensorium. Tfis is but glance at the
surface to enter within and take the range OF
other matters-schools, colleges, the arts, and
various mechanical and Industrial pursuits,
which add TO the Intelligence, wealth, and
prosperity Of people, and mark their course
in the history of nations, would require time !;
but in all would be found alike astonishing
results.
This progress, sir, is not to be arrested Il
Will go on. The end IS not yet. There are
persons now living who will see overa hun
dred million human beings within the present
boundaries o. the United States, to say nothing
OF future extension, and perhaps double the
number Of States we now have, should the
Union last. For myself, | say to YOU. my
colleagues on this foor, that do not appl ehend
danger ITO our constitutional rights from the
bare fact OF increasing the number of States
with institutions dissInilar 10 ours. The whole
governmental fabric Of the United States is based
and founded upon the idea of dissmilarity in
the institutions Of the respective members
Principles, not numbers, are our protection
When these fail, we have, like all other peo-
pie, who, knowing their rights, dare maintain
them, nothing to rely upon bat the justice Of
our cause, our own right arms and stout hearts.
With these feelings and this basis of action.
whenever any State comes and asks admission,
as Oregon does, l am prepared TO extend her
the hand of welcome, without looking into her
constitution further than to see that it Is republi-
can IN form, upon our well-known American
models.
When aggression comes, if come It ever shall,
then the end draweth nigh. Then, if in my
day, shall be for resistance, open, bold, and
T Il
that due the hearthstones of the homestead.
This I say TO all. | lay no claim to any senll-
ment OF nationality not founded upon the
patriotism OF true heart, and I know of no
such patriotism that does not center at home.
Like the enlarging circle upon the surface OF
smooth waters, however, this can and will, if
extend 10 the utmost limits of
common country. Such is my nationality
such my sectionalism-Such my patriotism.
Our fathers of the South joined your fathers Of
the North in resistance to a common aggression
from their fatherland and If they were justified
in rising TO right wrong inflicted by parent
country, how much more ought we, should the
necessity ever come, TO stand justified before an
world, in rightiug a wrong from
even those We call brothers. That necessity,
trust, will never come.
What is to be our future, do not know |
have no taste for induiglng in speculatons "a
bout it. would not, il | could, raise the veil
that wisely conceals it from us. "Sufficient
unto the day is the evil thereof" is good pre-
cep. in everything pertaining to human action.
The evil | would not anticipate; | would rath-
er strive to prevent ITS coming; and ore way,
in my Judgment, 10 prevent it, is, while here,
in all things to do what is right and proper to
be done under the Constitution of the United
States; nothing more, and nothing less. Our
safety, as we'll as the prosperity of all parts Of
the country, so long as this Government lasts
lies mainly in strict conformity TO The laws Of
It's existence. Growth is one of these. The
admission of new States, is one of the objects
expressly provided for. How are they 10 come
IN! With just such constitutions as the people
IN each may please to make for themselves, so
1t is republican in form. This is the ground
the South has ever stood upon. Let US not a.
bandon il now. 1t is founded upon principle
planted in the compact of Union ilspll; and
more essential to Us than all others besides that
is, the equality Of the States, and the reserved
rights OF The people Of the respective States.-
By our system, each State, however great the
number, has the absolute right to regulate all lis
internal affairs as she pleases, subject only to
her obligations under the Constitution OF the u
nied States. With this limitation, the people
of Massachusetts, have the perfect right 10 do as
they please upon all matters relative 10 their
internal policy; the people OF Ohio have the
right to dc the same the people Of Georgia the
same; of California the same; and 50 with all
the rest.
Such is the machinery of our theory Of self
government by the people. This is the great
novelty of our peculiar system, involving a
principle unknown to the ancienis, an idea
never dreamed ofbv Aristotle or Plato. The
nninn Of rn,nrnI Ii.t;nct :,.AD..l l..