Architecture in the United States. 107 
take too strong hold on our feelings, and make us, it is true, a thriv- 
ing and prosperous, but at the same time, a selfish people; that in 
the eager pursuit of wealth and station, and the disposition it brings 
to “lay aside every weight,” we may throw from us some things 
more honorable than even wealth, or popular applause; that in the 
strong and constant pressure of business, patriotism and generous 
feelings, and piety may be stifled and disappear. The decline of 
these is already an object of frequent remark. ‘That we mourn over 
more than we have cause for, is probable ; but still they are in dan- 
ger; and the danger is most to be dreaded, because it is insidious, 
slow, secret, and in every person’s breast. One effect of our circum- 
stances certainly is, to produce greater individuality of feeling among 
us than is to be found in any other country. It is a singular trait m our 
character, and I think by no means a favorable one. Our general 
government itself, instead of drawing us closer to one another, and 
making us feel like one vast nation, separates us into parts, and places 
this individuality strongly and distinctly before us.. And so with near- 
ly all our institutions : indeed, every object of pursuit, thought, and 
feeling, will be found, more or less, conformed to this character, 
and calculated to make each individual stand out effective, it is true, 
but isolated and alone. ‘The fact is, we need greatly, something to 
break down this individuality, and form a common bond of union 
among us; something to make us feel that we are members of one 
great community ; something that, by being a common: subject of 
thought, action, and strong interest, will make our feelings flow into 
one another, and attach us more powerfully to our fellows, and to 
the country. Other nations are provided for this, in their king, their 
national religion, their national universities, their national monuments, 
in a hundred things to which the term national is applied. The re- 
publics of old times provided for it, chiefly in giving their Sa ob- 
jects of deep and common interest. We have no provision for it, 
except in our Army and Navy, and afew other aREGCEGONS. We 
have, I believe, but one state university, in the nation; all is loose, 
itary and distinct. ‘There is no cement to integral parts, an article 
deemed necessary, even in the well based pyramids of Egypt: we 
have no strong bond of union; no object which, disgraced, would 
bring"disgrace on the community ; nothing around which we should 
rally in case of danger, with perhaps the single exception of our ss? 
erties. Something, as I have said, to turn the mighty energies 
our nation, or portions of it, into one channel ; to give us some Com 
