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sailles ; it has also built tlie Louvre, and endowed the College of 

 France ; it built St. Peters ; it has also collected the treasures of the 

 Vatican. Despotism is mighty, because it combines means and efforts. 

 Again, the power of association is shown in sheer fanaticism. It crea- 

 ted the Empire of the Turks ; in our own country, it is creating the Em- 

 pire of the Mormons. Nothing can stand before association, whatever 

 be the end which it proposes to itself, for it is in accordance with the 

 laws of humanity and nature ; and no great work can be accomplished 

 without it. Even tlie feeblest creatures which God has made, become 

 great by association ; the bee, the ant, and the coral insect, are symbols 

 of its power. 



But the noblest and most benign form of association is the free asso- 

 ciation of enlightened men. Govenied by no despot, but governed by 

 a common thought ; inspired by no fanaticism, but inspired by a love 

 of the true, the beautiful, and the good ; impelled by no blind instinct, 

 but self-deteiTnined in the clear-sightedness of a cultivated reason, such 

 an association becomes the highest representation of the Divinity on 

 Earth, showing us knowledge and goodness, clothed with irresig-tible au- 

 thority and might. 



It may be said that in our country there is no want of association — 

 that we have enough of is for good and evil in benevolent societies, 

 and fanatical societies, and political societies; in railroads, banking and 

 mining companies ; and in all sorts of companies for which the human 

 imagination can de\f se names and projects. 



But then there may be a preponderance of evil, or vain and empty 

 associations ; and there may not be associations adec^uate to all the great 

 and good ends to be accomplished ; and the true principles of associa- 

 tion may not be widely understood ; and there may be many adverse 

 influences at work Avhere men attempt to associate for wise and good 

 purposes, which require to be examined. The field is a large one, and 

 I by no means purpose on this occasion, to enter upon it. But there 

 is one evil which I would advert to, which while it exists, must serious- 

 ly impede and often prevent association for good and momentous ends. 

 I mean party, and sectional and local jealousy, and competition. We 

 often see the operation of this in our National and State Legisla- 

 tures. For example, a navy yard, or a mint, is to be established, or a 

 harbor is to be improved, or a charter is to be granted to some company, 



