Year: 1859

Nico-President Breckenridge made an elo-
quent address, on the occasion Of tho Senate
taking possession Of the new Senate Chamber.
He spreads the American Eagle" as follows


The career Of the United States cannot be
measured by that Of any other people of whom
history gives account and the mind is almost
appalled, at the contemplation Of the prodig-
ious force which has marked their progress.
Sixty-nine years ago, thirteen States contain
ing three millions Of inhabitants, burdened
with debt and exhausted by the long war of
independence, established for their common
good free constitution, on principles new to
mankind. and began their experiment with
the good wishes Of a few doubling friends and
the derision Of the world. Look at the result
to-day; twonty-eight millions Of people. in
every way happier than an equal number in
any other part Of the globe the center of pop
ulaton and political power descending the
western slopes of the Allegheny mountains,
and the original thirteen States forming but
the eastern margin on the map Of our vast
possessions See besides. Christianity, civil
lizatou, and the arts given to continent I;
the despised colonies grown into power OF
the first class. representing and protecting
ideas that involve the progress of the human
race a commerce greater than that of any o.
ther nation every variety Of climate, soil
and production to make people powerful and
happy; free interchange between the States ;
in a word, behold present greatness, and, in
the future, an empire to which the ancient
mistress Of the world in the height of her
glory could not be compared. Such is our
country; ay, and more-lar more than my
mind could conceive or my tongue could ut
ter Is there one who will dcride his coun-
try's laws, pervert her constitution. or alien
ate her people? If there be such man, let
his memory descend to posterty laden with
the exocratons Of all mankind


So happy is the political and social condi-
tion of the United States. and so accustomed
are we to secure the enjoyment of freedom
elsewhere unknown, thai we are apt to UNDER
value the treasures we possess, and to lose.
in some degree, the sense of obligation to our
foreiathers. But when the striies of faction
shake the Government, and even threaten IT.
we may pause with advantage long enough to
remember that we are reuping the reward oi
other mems labors. This liberty we inherit
thia admirable Constitution, which has sur
viycd peace and war, prosperity and adver-
5ity this double scheme of Government. State
and Federal so peculiar and so little under
stood by other Powers. yet which protects the
earnings Of industry, and makes the largest
personal freedom compatible with public or
der; these great results were not acquired
without wisdom and toll and blood. Th'
touching and heroic record is before the world


but to all this we were born, and. like heir
upon whom has been cast great inheritance
have only the high duty to preserve, to extend
and to adorn it. The grand productions o
the era in which the foundations Of this Gov
ernment were laid, reveal the deep sense its
founders had of their obligations to the whole
family of man. Let us never forget that tht
responsibilities imposed upon this generation
are by so much the greater than those which
rested on our Revolutionary ancestors, as the
population, extent and powers of our country
surpass the dawning promise Of its origin.