Buchanan County bulletin and guardian., 1868-01-31

cultured aristocracy who raised the nag
rebellion at the behests Of per.onal ambition
An honest instinct is wor,hier tlan per
verted intelligence. Entitlsd to our grs.
tuds for their unwavering attachment to tn
national cause, and for the heroic courag
they contributed to its defense, and chaleu
gine ou, respect for their judieious use G
The privileges Of freedom, let US invite then
to share in the blessings which hey hav
helped preserve.
Our own State has already taken the ini
tia,ory steps toward the abolition of all dis
tinction Of race and color from the Constitu
tisn. Let Us not fail at this session TO nd
vance the work inangufAted by cur prede
cessors, Of giving TO our colored population
the enjoyment Of those political privileges
| which have hitherto been denied to them
They have demonstrated their manhood il
the stern realities Of war, and in this enlight
ened Common wealth no longer lei any pre-
rogstive Of manhood be denied to man
That others falter and cover before tht
seeming difficulties Of this measure, should
be no encouragement 70 ". Let ~ ns'
emulate their cowardice nor share N tteil
dishcnor. Let the slscrity with which We
concede the privilege equal the readiness
/ WiM "uACu VIC gave tocul Oui hok oho sNh'
them forth to fight our battles. Let those
who Iobly volunteered and gallantiy defend
ed the Gag Of the Union-who stood between
the foe and our heritage Of . common coun.
try never have cause to charge lowe with
lack Of courage to do justice 10 her colored
soldiers AID residents.
Gentlemen Of the Assembly: can not
neglect the opportunity to congratulate you
upon the favorable auspices under which you
euter upon your duties. War With its stern
| necessities no longer trenches upon the in>
| dustria! interests of the State. While these
responsibilities have ceased with the over
throw of the rebellion, other and more sub.
stantial 6elds invite your effort. Our Stats
10 yet in its early manhood. But twenty.
nine years have elapsed since the first Law.
making body Of the "Nev Purchass" ss>
sembled in . sister city. Hardly . single
generation has passed away, since the fsv
scattered colonies upon the banks Of the
Mississippi, whose abiding faith in the future
seemed even then to foreshadow the glorious
reality, have grown to the vigor and strength
Of an inland empire. The achievements of
the past will be succeeded by other advances,
no less wonderful. Her sons are but the pi-
oneers Of the millions who shall yet 6nd .
homo on her prairies. The abundant hsr~
vests upon which We now congratulate our
selres, are but ~ earnest Of the mrayeloas
resources Of region, richer even than our
thought or hope.
The eye Of discovery hss revealed the
presence Of avsristy Of mineral wealth whose
possibilities may prove great reservoir of
power for the demands of civilization. The
streams which divide its surface must Be
made to roll the wheels of machinery and
mould the products of our care into the fab
RIGS Of trade. Regions hitherto undevelop-
ed are to be bound to our commercial cen.
tiers by links of railway communication.
Worthy industries are to be encouraged and
internal Improvements Of every kind seal
ously promoted BY the judicious patronage
of the State.
Let !, be our boast and pride that we fear
no'hing 90 much as ignorance and artificial
distinctions between man and man. Let 10
establish our power firmly upon the founda-
tions Of intelligence and liberal ideas, ma.
king manhood our only title Of nobility, and
believing in nothirg G 90 hopefully - an sju-
Gated public opinion.
But ons-aixth Of our lands are yet enclo.
sed. Our hopes for the settlement Of tAs
millions Of scres whose wealth is yet in n.
serve are largely effected By The character of
our institutions. Immigration gnvisaies
toward social order, free schools and equal
laws. Our population is largely enriched
every year BY the tide which reaches u from
other asd less favored lands. They seek,
under the bens6cent patronage of our in>
stitutions, their privileges as farmers, me,
chanics, and professional msn-transplant,
ing to our soil that love Of liberty which im>
pelled them frt N their old homes. We have
nothing TO fear fron their presence. The
ssurdiest defenders Of freedom are those who
hSve felt its loss.
In the guardianship OF the sacred trust
which has been reposed in 10, the gosd of
the State should be our ruling motive. A
just sense Of our responsibilities will forbid
US to harbor the spirit Of partsanship or bal,
ance the claims Of section or party against
the good Of the whole. However cherished
may be our political convictions, let Is re-
member that We are not the representatives
Of particular interests or favored classes, but
are the servants Of the cAole people, and
that, in our keeping, the rights Of msjori.y
and minority shouli be equally sacred.
Fsll Of hope in the future Of OUT Stats,
whose past has bssn % favored Of Provi,
dence, and whose present is 30 rich in pros
peri,y, let US apply ourselves with seal and
6delity to the advancement Of her interests.
If We should not summon 70 our aid the wis
dom OF statesmanship, lot Us, ct least, meet
our responsibilities with faithfulneas, integ-
rty and earnest devotion to the Common
wealth; and may the God Of Wisdom and
Justice guide Us to his own appointed ways.
SAMUEL MERRlLL.