Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-05-22

ness and colonial dependence, we may be
permitted to review the history of its growth
and expansion until, in the circle OF years, 1t
attains the strength and proportions OF mature
manhood. So, too, by the madness OF am
btion and power, nation may be subdued
and extinguished in Il day; or the slower
workings of corruption and misrule may
preserve miserable existence through CEN
turtles of decay, conducting to final and grad
ua extinction But for State in the prime
of its vigor-in full possession of all the at
tributes of national vitality and perpetuity
having the duties of its rulers and the
rights of its people defined and prescribed
by written onsttution-without external
pressure or violence, TO come to sudden de-
struction by eternal dismemberment, would
be without historic precedent, as it would be
without rule for approaching the infinite in
fanny Of the act, or its disastrous consequent
ces. We are not destined to such catas-
trophe. We may be subject to the ordinary
mutations incident to mortal existence, wheth-
err in the individual or in the aggregate
But this government was not formed to be
DESTROYED in a day. Clouds have lowered
upon our horizon and Overspread the sky,
place, and emitted its light through the gloom,
and now the bow Of promise and OF hope
again spans the arch. | cherish the belief
that this favored land is the appointed thea
ire for an exhibition of human greatness
and of national power and duration hlth erto
unknown upon earth. have already adj
yerted to the admirable and peculiar struc-
ture of our government, and its nice adapta-
ton to purposes of safety and expansion.-
TO this let it be added that its operation has
been and will continue to be upon the min
gled product Of the best populations OF the
world, brought together IN presence OF the
grandest scenery and most sublime and I'M
posing features of nature. The influence of
admixturc and Of physical surroundings up
on the Development and character of races,
need not be ar gucd. Everything points to a
new and improved type Of mankind. A new
world, a new race formed to mhabltlt and
new species OF government devised to rule 1t,
would seem toimply design and anew destiny.
Let US trust, then, that our future IS to
be happy and glorious-that the same Al
mighty hand which has hitherto guided and
protected US will continue to hold us in
its keeping, and that when, in some far
distant age, the historian shall come to
recount the progress of our posterlty, and to
describe the condition of the multiplied mil
lions who shall then occupy our places, ne
will be able to say that the stars and stripes
still float over free and united people,
speaking the language of Shakespeare, Milton
aud Burke, and Of Webster, Calhoun and
Clay, and vexed by no question of doubt
iul fraternity, proudly cherishing the mem
Dry OF their origin in the colonies of james
town and Plymouth.
The lecturer, who was frequently applaud
ed in the course OF his address, retired amid
loud acclamations. The lecture was not
concluded until half past eleven o'clock and
it is therefore impossible TO supply a fuller
report of an Grafton which occupied three
hours and half in its delivery.