The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1865-12-15

-pean power challenge the American sspeople,
as il were TO the defence Of republicanism
against foreign interference, We cannot for
see and are unwilling to consider what OPP
portunities might present themselves, what
combinations might offer TO protect ourselves
against designs inimical to our form Of govern
ment The United States desire to act in the
future as they have ever acted heretofore /;
they never will be driven from that course
but by the aggression of European Powers /;
and we rely on the wisdom aud justice of
those Powers TO respect the system ofnon-
interference which has so long been sanction
cd by time, and which, by its good results,
has approved itself TO both continents.
The correspondence between the United
States and France, in reference to questions
which have become subjects ofdiscussion be-
tween the two Governments, WILL at proper
tine, be laid before Congress
When, on the organization Of our Government M
der tho constitution the President o the United States
delivered his Inaugural address 70 the two Hoascs Of
Congress- he said them, and through them TO the
country and 70 mankind that the preservation OF the
fire of liberty and the destiny of tho republican model
Of government are Justly considered as deeply perhaps
az nually, stalk "A the experiment intruS:;d 10 the
American people" And the House oi Representatives
answered Washington by the voice Of Madison =
"we adore the invisible hand which has Iced the Am
conscious responsibility for the destiny OF republican
liberty" More than scventy-six years have glidcd
away since these words were spokcn the United states
have passed through severer trials than we're fOcsech
and now at this new epoch In existence as one ma
ton with Union purified by sorrows, aud strength
encd by conflict and established by the virtue OF tho
people, the greatness of the occasion invites US once
moro TO repeat with soemny the pledges Of our faith
crs hold ourselves auswerNbe before our fellow men
for the success Of tho republican form of government
Experience has proved it, suIlcioncy In peace and in
war II has indicated its authority tn rough dangers
md Affections and sudden aud terrible emergencies
which wonld have crushed any system that had less
firmly xed in the heart of the people. At the na,gu
ration Of Washington foreign relationsllc country
were few and It's trade was reprcsscd by hostile rcgua
lions now all civilized nations Of the globe welcome
our commerce, and their Governments troiss towards
ma amitv Then cur country felt its way hesitatlngy
along an unried path, with States 80 little bound to-
rethcr by rapid Of communication ~ TO 10 hard
" known TO one another and with historic traditions
extending over very few years now intercourse be-
wccn tho States is swift and intimate the experience
of centuries has been crowded into few generations,
and has created an ntense, uueslructloe hs,onn'y'
Then on, i,aict, '!a not reach beyond tho lncon-
ycpien boundaries of tho territory which had achieved
independence; through cessons Of JANUS, hisl COZ,
on2sd by Spain and France, the couhlry h's ACQUIRED
q moro complex character ana has Tor It's notua nm
Its the chain of Lakes the Gulf Of Mexico, and ON the
eas, and the the two great oceans Other nations
were wasted by civil wars for ages before they could cs
tabls Cor themsclyesc tho necessary degree # unity
the latent conviction that form Of government is
ths best ever known IN the world has enabled us to
encr 60 from civil war within our years, vita conf
ple.c yinlcaon of constitutional authority OF the
Gencrol Government aud with our local liberties
and State institutions unimpaircd. Inc thfongs OF
emrran that crowd to our shores are witnesses oi the
con1deuce Of all people in our permanence., Here Is
the great land Of free labor where industry is blessed
with uncxamplcd rewards and the bread OF the WORKING
man is sweetencd by tho consciousness that the cause OF
the country sis his own cause, his own SAFETY his own
d,ni,y Here every one enjoys the free usc of his
faculties and the choice Of activity as natural right
Here under the combined influence Of fruitful soil,
genial cmcs, and happy institutions p2pui"tUn nSs
Tho cnsy DEVELOPMENT Of bounless resources, wealth
has increased with twofold greater rapldty than num-
bcrs so that we have become secure against tue financial
yci-itudes of other countries and alike in business
and in Oh non are self centred and truly independent
Hero more ana more Is given to provide education
for every born ON our soil Here religion, Released
from potica connection with the civil government,
,srs 70 subsrryc the craft Of the statesmen and be-
Gomez in It's independence, the spiritual ne Oh te poo
pie Here liberation Is extended TO every oPnon, III
the quiet certainty that truth needs only iar NJ. 90
secure the victory. Here, the human mind goes forth
unsuckcd in the pursuit OF science to collect stores OF
knowledge and acquire mn crcr-incrcasng mastery over
tho forces of nature Hero the national domain Is Of
frcd and cldn millions Of separate cehols so that
our fellow citizens beyond the occupants Of any other
p,r of the Garth constitute In reality people Hero cX
lists the democratic form Of government ana u'o FORM
Of government by the confession OF European states
mon :. gives a power Of which no other form iscapa-
bic because 1t incorporates every man WIN the slc
and nrousca every thing that belongs to the soul.
Where in past history, docs parallel exist to the
public happiness which is within thu reach of the pco.
ME oil the United states Whcra in any part Of the
globe can institutions be found suited to their hab-
its or 20 tntlc to their love their own Tree Constu
ton Every of them, then, IN whatever pnrt OF
the land he has his home must wish Its pcFpctuity-
Who Of them willnot acknowledge IN the words OF
Washington that "cyery step by which the people OF
,o Tnitad States lcya the character OF
independent nation, seems to have been distinguished
BY some token Of Providential agency"
Who win not Join with me in the prayer, that the in
hand which has lead us through thu clouds that
gipomal around our path will so guide US onward to
perfect restoration Of frNtcrna affection, that we oi
this day may be able to transmit our great nheftahce
of Stote Governments in all their rights Of the General
Government in its whole constitutional yigor, to our
postcrty and they to theirs through countless genera
tons? ,.,,. ,o,,,,s,>,
WASHINGTON, Dec 1, 1865.