The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-19

GITtlf/fI tftA< 0AF.-f" httt't I'Fr.'''..'' !.
Of them, and the wilderness thrust hseli
I'D to their very doors. Mature often mas
been too powerful for man, and has held
him in check or subjection BY the obstacles
II has presented to his progress, or by the
terrors with which II has peopled its mys-
FERROUS domain. Immense regions OF tho
earth yet lie UNEMPLOYED, or, X penetrated
by few courageous spiriis, only TO show
how vast are the forces which yet defy sub
iugstion.
Not so with the men whose fame we this
dsy celebrate. Little colonies stretched
along the Atlantic. between the mountain
and the sea, after they had conquered their
freedom and made for themselves peaceful
homes. the habitations OF Religion and
Law. after they had thrown over them the
mgis of an Independent Government then
went forth to bring Continent under their
dominion.
And those very forces which by the igno-
rant are regarded as monsters OF "irightilil
MEN," by the agencies Of Science ana AT
were reduced TO thraldom and made
the ministers OF still further conqucsts. The
men of whom we speak and whose deeds
we now recall, were many OF them not
only skilled i'm the mysteries OF the Schools
and abreast OF their age in whatever had
been gathered in the domain OF knowledge
for they had been educated in the most re-
nowned Institutions OF LeMnlng-Dut
among them were discoveries and inyen-
tors whose fame have become Worldwide.
And in the generations that have gone
since then, the individuality and RESPONSE
bility which, rs we have seen, were born
with the Republic, have produced an ac-
tiyity nowhere more manifest or potent,
which, graphing with the elements, has
welded them with Titanic strength. Inc
proportions OF the Continent have been re-
duced into symmetry, and its boundless re-
sources been made to pay tribute not only for
the ad Yancement OF the people In those COM
forts which refine and elevate and make up
the definition OF civilized life, but wlfich 20
to swell n Nations greatness and mark lts
chieiest glory.
The invitation had gone forth for all Peo-
pies to come and enjoy with them this
great heritage. IL mattered not much
whence or in what numbers they came, the
Republic grown and growing still 40 strong
by such healthy courses could digest ana
assimilate them. 1t was OF little concern
what were their views upon Religion or
Politics THE Life Of the Republic was
stronger than theirs. Religion was free;-
Politics was free the discussion OF both
was free. However much the integrity OF
either was aSsailed, by reason OF their inho-
rent Virtue both survived. All rationale
ties mingled in the common tide. Old
creeds, old preludiceS, old beliefs, old con-
victions, traditions hoary with age; the
Monarchist, the Democrat, the Republican;
the Catholic OF every Order, the Protestant
Of every hue; all Religions, all modes OF
Political and Philosophic thought, were
thrown into the rushing torrent, but they
only give yigor and drectness TO its resist
less flow. Whatever their yariances, a gen
Grafton only is required 10 bring them into
harmonious assimilation. The mighty tide
rolls on-Amcricans alas the inscription
on this monument will declare, with some
Country, one Constitution, one Destiny y;
about them \ Continent with the wealth Of
= Promised Land-ab0ve them the stars
looking down propitiOlsly from their far
off habitations. IS they looked down in the
oldcn times upon their fathers from every
iireside in their midst and from every coun-
try where Gods name Is known and hon
Ored, daily prayers for this last and nobleSt
blessing to mankind.
Who can fully appreciate its magnitude
or its extended iniluencey Hitherto, by
reason OF the peculiar social and govern
mental organization only a portion, and
often very small portion, OF the people
have been heard In history. The real and
entire power of nation was rarely IL ever
evoked. Glasses or castles divided the COM
munity into segments. One or more OF
these segments always spoke alone or led
In public affairs. Now and here the various
pursuits and professions and callings con-
stitute one whole, and in the movements OF
the mass are ever shifting and commingling.
No position is so high that it may not one
day be low, and none so humble that it may
not be represented in the high places Of the
Republic.
But Truth and Right are semplternal
and change not. Men come and 90, but
they survive. And when the "yOlume Of
their Book" Is open freely to be read, the
generations ~ they pass gather on their
way, and transmit to each succeeding
larger measure Of their precious treasures.
Thus il is, that the common Reason OF HUI
manity, OF more value than the Philosophy
Of the Schools, fixes In its experience the
standards OF the Race.
Who can tell what those standards
will be with us: Our experiment has
not yet been fully tried. A Century is
but a span in a Nations lifetime. In
the freedom and activity which pre-
will, working amid such diverse materials,
moulding gradually into shape composite
civilization, let lis pray that its features may
conform to those immortal principles.
Every day, almost every hour, brings some
new discovery or invention, charging the
bounds OF that civilization, making the
Masterpieces to bloom, and expanding the
sphere OF human effort. The vexed question
will now be decided, whether the Scholar,
Philosopher, and the Statesman are the
leaders in the progress OF humanity, or
whether they but give expression to the
common instincts and reason Of the Race,
whose universal mind and heart, attuued
TO discover the True and Right, are the first
to proclaim and the last to defend them.
We will at least cherish the hope
that Order, which i OF the essence Of Truth
and Right, will be profoundly impressed
upon their seekers, and find an abiding
dwelling-place in every heart. The Union
will not then be a simple term, but word
without the use Of which no future aspira-
tons can be written. Patriotism will then
be not an empty sound, but 4 grand SYM
IHOul1 lllut up Vi III INT MUGS VI Ohi
daily being, which as il rings ont our
country's fate, alike proclaims our own.
We will guard ii with that eternal vigil
ance which was its price. our material
strength is such that we can essay the world
in arms. Nor have we the dangers to ap-
prehend which spring up betweenthe Peo-
pie and their Rulers; for the People rule.
Our chief, it may lie our onIy fear, is those
4, fsrr
and prejudice prompt. But even here our
experience gives us hope. When an issue
comes, whatever may be the honest or SIMS
ter purposes Of those who agitate, il Is by
their own profession astruggle through gov
ernmental forms for the high aims and pur-
poses for which the Government stands.
o. L.. -..n,,J In, tho aud cornoe