220 [Assembly 



There was much meaning in this brief play. The past, the present* 

 the future, were thus brought together. The achievements of the 

 fathers, the living power of the sons, the promise of the children. 

 What the state had to remember, what to depend upon, what to ex- 

 pect! It was the voice of years gone, addressing the present ; inci- 

 ting to a growth in wisdom, and to surpassing deeds of valor, which 

 coming years should witness, and with which they should be crowned. 

 There was, it is true, one purpose shadowed forth in which we may 

 not sympathize ; for all that is of war, is uncongenial here. The 

 dust of the field, not of the camp ; the sickle, not the sword ; bleach- 

 ing powder, not gun powder ; " mechanic powers," not armed forces, 

 betoken our pursuits, for in them are our reliance and our strength. 

 Our national his'ory a single life may well nigh compass. But that 

 brief past has laid us under obligations to the future, which must be 

 recognised. From time to time t* ese obligations should be consider- 

 ed. Nor can more suitable occasions offer than when at the close of 

 these festive gatherings of the friends of di mestic labor, we meet to 

 take our annual observation, and make a new departure. Our position 

 as a people is peculiar. But yesterday, our fields were forests. The 

 axe has levelled them, and the sword secured to us their use. The 

 generations which have passed away had their duties, and have per- 

 formed them. Ours are to be performed, and their performance rests 

 with us, and with us alone. These duties are of a character which 

 the past has in some respect defined for us. And this will always be 

 more or less observable, for in each age the point of progress attained, 

 indicates a further point to be attained, and somewhat opens the path 

 to be pursued. 



As in journeying over mountains, the traveller looking beyond him 

 upon his winding road a few feet, sees the bold hillside obstruct hi< 

 path, and knows not whither his true course lies, but shall quickly 

 find as he goes on, that the road just travelled will itself disclose the 

 outlet; so to each generation the great duties of life which are to be 

 discharged, are made plain by the progress of the past. The work 

 of the past has been completed ; but our inheritance was costly as it 

 is rich. Those who bequeathed, purchased it at no small sum. The 

 ties of blood sundered, the home and the hearth stone left, accustom- 

 ed comforts put away, an untrodden wilderness and unknown foes en- 

 countered, life perilled for uncertain good — these made up the first 

 cost. But the outlay did not end here. What was sought for con- 

 science sake and had been gained, could not lightly be parted with. 



