Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-07-25

before us the sacred forms of our il
lustrious dead-the pioneers of the
infant republic; to dwell awhile up
on the lessons given in the charac-
ter of the stern, uncompromising Pu-
ritan, the counsels of our early states
men, and the life and death of the
heroes of the revolution, worthy RI
walls of those old statesmen and war;
riors whose deeds give immortality
TO the story of Greece and Rome
But time impels me to considerations
OF more near and present interest.
We have great cause for rejoicing
to day IN the prosperity of our coun-
try. Every year finds us advanced
beyond our most sanguine thought.
The little corner of settlement which
but century ago constituted our
entire dominion, has gradually en-
larged its boundaries, expanded
North and South and West, till onr
empire extends from ocean TO ocean,
embracing an unmeasured eXpanse of
the most fertile soil and felicitous eli
mate, watered by broad rivers Chose
great highways between affiuent
states), interspersed on every hand
with beautiful lakes, giving to inland
commerce advantages beyond esti-
mate. We are speeding out our rail-
ways and steamships, those hand
maids OF national growth, the one
till we hold daily communion with
the most distant lands of the globe,
bringing Anglo-Saxon skill and in
dustry into close relationship with
the tropical luxury of the East the
other, till our country is threaded
with iron network, uniting in indis-
soluble bonds every conceivable in
dustry, facilitating exchange, aug
mentiDg and distributing wealth,
and at the same time forming a
strong bond of union between other
wise distant and opposing states
whose interests are thus made one
We have pierced the barriers of tho
Rocky Mountains, and traversed the
arid deserts of the plains, joining the
wealth Of the sunset land to the
hardy products of the storied East,
and even as | speak a great enter
prise is directing an army of labor
ers who are opening path from the
frozen shores of Superior to the far
thest slope of the Pacific. As con-
sequence of this new era in railway
history, beautiful villages, thriving
towns and palatial cities are spring
ing up on every side like the won
derful entertainments of fairy land
What thirty years ago was forbid
ding morass, is now a city of mag
nifcent proportions, and in the froz-
en- regions of the North an embryo
metropolis is rising that must lead
the commerce of the North west
We have penetrated the silent plains
OF the mighty deep, and now flash
along the wires intelligencies of two
continents; we have explored the
hidden wonders of the earth, and re-
vealed treasures of untold variety
and countless value. Our inventions
in every industrial art challenge the
wonder of the old world, and herald
the dawn of new era in the annals
Of labor. The citizens of every cline,
captivated by our prosperity, are
seeking homes among us. Germany
fast peopling our farms and cities
with industrious, law-abiding citizens
The Norseman abandons tho unto
ward fields of his ancestors for the
inviting prairies of the West, while
from the opposite quarter, the taw-
ny jewellers of the Celestial Empire
are thronging to our borders, start
ling US with new and difficult prob
lens of citizenship.
We are constantly enlarging our
territorial boundaries, and the time is
not far distant when the union Of
these states will embrace the silver
hills and sunny plains of Mexico, as
well as the mighty forests and hardy
soil of the Canadas. Neither mon
archly or anarchy can stand side by
side with a government like our own,
and when Canada won from her old
allegiance by the example of our free
institutions, shall cast off the domin-
ion Of the English throne, and claim
an adoption by us; and when Mexico,
worn and depleted by constant rev.
olution, shall seek the asylum Of
true republic, we can not disregard
the claim. The day is coming when
the doctrine of Monroe will not only
be asserted in our relations to exter-
nal powers, but will embrace the
broader proposition that no govern
ment or nation not in complete ac-
cord with the true spirit of Republic
an liberty can occupy a single foot
of American soil. | have spoken thus
at length of our prosperity and de-
velopment, not in the spirit of ex-
travagant Boosting which too often
characterizes occasions like the pres
ent, but to prepare the way for
few observations which l deem pc
culiarly pertinent at this hour.
While we proudly contemplate this
advance in all that constitutes mate
rial prosperity We are fully reminded
that this is not all that makes a true
republic. A true republic must rest
in the virtue of the people; yet this
incredible accession to our numbers
OF every race and character necessi-
tates an increase of crime, restless
spirit of INSTRUMENTATION to authority,
and disregard of law. A true repub-
lie requires q manly self restraint on
the part of every citizen, yet this
rapid advance in wealth must bring
its attendant train OF dissoIute NOR
ais and enervating luxury. A true
Republic demands pure social sys-
tenn. Yet when was the social life
of the nation more corrupt? The
primitive idea of the constitution of
the United States was restraint up
on reckless legislation. Yet how
lightly is it regarded by contentious
demagogues and politicians. An un-
trammeIed independent common
school system has ever been the boast
and salvation of this republic. Was
ever the attempt to sweep it away
upon the waves OF fansticism so strong