The Russellville Democrat., 1889-03-14

Our people have already worthly observed the centennials of the Declaration Of Independ- ence, Of the Battle Of Yorktown and Of the Adop- tion of the Constitutions and will shortly cele- brate, in New York, the institution of the sec ond great department of our constitutional scheme of government. When the centennial Of the institution Of the judicial department by the organization Of the Supreme Court shall have been suitably observed, as I trust it will be, our Nation will have fully entered its second century. l will not attempt 10 note the marvellous and in great part happy contrasts between our country as 1t steps over the threshold into it's second century Of organized existence under the Constitution, and that weak but wisely-ordered young Nation that looked undaunted down the first century, when all its years stretched out before it.
 Our people will not fatl at this time to recall the incidents which accompanied the institu- ton Of government under the Constitution, or find inspiration and guidance in the teachings and example of Washington and his great as sociates, and hope and courage in the contrast which thirty-eight populous and prosperous States offer to the thirteen States, weak in every thing except courage and the love of liberty, that then fringed our Atlantic sea-board. The Territory of Dakota has now a population greater than any of the original States, except Virginia, and greater than the aggregate Of five Of the smaller States in 11oO. The center of population, when our National capital was located. was east of Bal tmore; and it was argued by many well-in- formed persons that It would move eastward rather than westward Yet, in 1880 it was found 10 be near Cincinnati, and the new cen sus, about to be taken, will show another stride to the Westward. That which was the body has come to be only the rich fringe Of the Ma tion's robe.
 But our growth has not been limited to ter ritory, population and aggregate wealth, mar vicious as Il has been in each Of these direc tons. The masses Of our people are better fed, clothed and housed than their fathers were. The facilities for popular education have been vastly enlarged and more generally diff have given recent proof of their continued presence and increasing power in the hearts and over the lives Of our people The infiu- ences Of religion have been multiplied and strengthened. The sweet offices Of charity have greatly increased. The virtue Of temper ance is held fin higher estimation. We have not attained an ideal condition. Not all of our people are happy and prosperous not all Of them are virtuous and law-abiding; but on the whole, the opportunities offered to the indi- yidual to secure the comforts of life are better than are found elsewhere, and largely better than they were here one hundred years ago.
 The surrender of a large measure Of sover- eighty to the General Government effected by the adoption Of the Constitution, was not &C., complished until the suggestions Of reason were strongly reinforced by tie more impera- tive voice of experience. The divergent inter ests of peace speedily demanded more per feet union" The merchant the ship-naster and the manufacturer discovered and disclosed 10 our statesmen and to the people that com meroial emancipation must he added to the po- litcal freedom which had been SO brayey won. The commercial policy of the mother coun- try had not relaxed any Of its hard
 
 the development Of our commercial marine, to prevent or retard the establishment and growth of manufactures in the States, and SO to secure the American market for their shops, and the carrying trade for their ships. was the policy of European statesmen, and was pursued with the most selfish vigor. Petitions poured in upon Congress urging the imposition Of discriminating duties that should encourage the production Of needed things at home. The patriotism Of the people, which no longer found a field of exercise in war, was energeticaliy d. rected to the duty of equpping the young Republic for the defense oi it's independence by making it's people selt-dependent Societies for the promotion of home manufactures and for encouraging the use of domcstics in the dress of the people were organized in many Of the States. The revival at the end oi the cent. urY, Of the same patriotic interest in the pres eFvation and development of domestic indus tries, and the defense Of our working people against injurious foreign competition, Is an ln- cident worthy Of attention, IL is not dc. parture, but return, that we have witnessed. The protective policy had then lts opponents. The argument was made, as now. that ts benefits iuuled 70 particular classes or sections. fi the question became in any sense or at any time sectional. it was only because slavery existed in some parts or The States But for this there was nc reason why the cot ton-producing states should uqE have led or walked abreast With tue New England states in fhe production af cotton fabrics There was this reason oniy @hy the stutes tn1i divide @iib Penusy yisal4ia ths mineral treasures 70 the great Ecurhsaztere 'ae1 Central mountain ranges shyaid have seq 70 G4ras M 9FiaBng
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