Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-03-14

Our people have already worthily observed
the centennials of the Declaration of Inder,end-
ence. of the Battle of Yorktown and of the AdOp-
ton OF the Constitutions; and viii shortly csle-
brate, in New York, the institution of the SEC
ond great department. OF our CONSTITUTIONAL
of the Institution of the judicial departments,
by the organization of the Supreme Court
shall have been suitably observed. as trust it
will be, our Nation will have fully entered its
second century. will not attempt to- note the
marvellous and in great part happy contrasts
between country, 1t steps the
threshold into its 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 fail at this time to recall
the incidents which accompanied the nstitu-
ton of government under the Constitution. or
md inspiration and guidance in the teachings
and example of Washington and his great as
socates, and hope and courage in the conSrast
which thrty-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 population greater than any of the
original States, except Virginia, and greater
than the aggregate of five OF the smaller States
National capital was located. was east of Bal
tlmore; and 1t was argued by many well-in-
formed persons that 1t would move eastward
rather than westward. Yet, in 1850 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
But our growth has not been limited to ter
ritory, population and aggregate wealth, mar
velous as it 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
fused The virtues of courage and patriotism
have given recent prof of their continued
presence and increasing power in the hearts
and over the lives of our people The lnfu-
ences of religion have been multiplied and
n-tb The sweet offices OF charity
have greatly increased The virtue OF temper
ance is held in 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-abdng; but on the
vidual 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 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
tive voice of experience. The divergent inter-
ests of peace speedily demanded a more per-
feet union" The merchant, the ship-Inaster
and the manufacturer discovered and sclosed
to our statesmen and to the people THAT com
| mercial emancipation must be added TO the po-
| litical freedom which had been so bravely won.
The commercial policy of the mother coun ,
| try had not relaxed any OF its marc
| and oppressive features. To hold in check
| the development OF commercial
| marine, TO prevent or retard the establishments
| and growth of manufactures in the states, ana
1
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
held OF exercise in war; was theoretically di-
Tscted TO the duty of eQuipping the young
| Repuohc Tor the defense of its independence by
making Its people self-dependent. Societies
| Tor the promotion OF home manufactures and
Tor encouraging the use of domestics in the
dress OF the people were organized in many of
| the States The revival, at the end of the cent
| ury, OF the same patriotic interest IN the pres
| ervation and development of domestic indus
tries and the defense Of our working people
against injurious foreign competition, is an in
cident worthy Of attention. 1t is not a de.
| parture, but a return, that we have Witnessed
| The protective policy had then its opponents
| The argument was made, now, that
| its benefits Injured TO particular classes or
| sections. II the question became in any sense
| or at any time sectional, il was only because
| slavery existed in some parts OF the States
But for this. there was no reason why the cot.
. ton producing States should not have led OF
! | walked abreast with the New England States
| in the production OF cotton fabrics. There was
| this reason only why the states that divide
with PENNSYLVANIA the mineral treasures of ths
, | great Southeastern and Central mountain
ranges should have been - tardy in bringing