264 



lassociation. Voluntary association is capable of performing much. It 

 "has accomplishe>l wonderful results, in the various objects which have 

 occupied the attention of mankind in almost all ages of the world. 

 The power of human genius, by its agency, has been cherished and de- 

 veloped: of which, 



" The silent pillar, lone and gray," 

 the obelisks and catacon}bs of ancient Egypt, and 



"Those temples, palaces, and piles stupendous. 

 Of which the very ruins are tremendous," 



stand as imperishable monuments. By its operation the prison bars 

 have been broken, and the oppressed have rejoiced in tie light of lib- 

 erty. Its influence is recognized in the advancement of Christianity 

 r'^ through heathen nations, dispelling the gloom of uncertainty, and light- 

 -ing up the benighted mind with a knowledge of the word, the love and 

 the glory of the Eternal God. 



Perseverance in your object, will accomplish all you seek ; and not 

 only yourselves, but your State and our Nation, will be advanced by 

 your exertions. The noble tribute of Michigan here laid upon the 

 altar of our independence, in the magnificent display of her industry, 

 energy and enterprize, by which we are this day surrounded, affords an 

 earnest assurance of the devotion of her sons to the general proi^perity 

 of the Nation. Go on aad prosper. Your example is worthy the em- 

 olation of other" States, and must undoubtedly exercise a happy influ- 

 ence upon the destiny of our country. 



But, in bringing this address to its close, I cannot refrain from urg- 

 ' ing upon my'countryraen, as applicable to the subject, the necessity, at 

 '- Vii times, of a close and vigilant dtvotion to the Union of our States 

 which constitutes us a Nation. Prosperity, if possible without that 

 union, would fail to accomplish the happiness and wellfj^re of the peo- 

 ple. With national pride destroyed, and the dismembered fragments 

 -of a once glorious union thrown in conflict upon the same current of 

 '"free-blood on which the perliect Ark was launched in sublime majesty 

 to float through countle^s generations, this people would present a con- 

 dition too deploiable for contemplation. Let us then be friends to that 

 glorious Union ; let us guard well the sanctity of its spirit against all 

 encroachments or influences, whether foreign or domestic; and, that we 

 may realize the full and happy results of industry, with the arm of true 

 patriotism sustain and ujihijld it beyond the conflict of passions, and 

 the malevolence or designs of its foes. 



