304 [Assembly 



But when I entered your Fair to-night, I found that you are 

 employed chiefly in the production of useful articles. I found 

 here the plough, the scythe, the axe ; and among these the manu- 

 factures of our looms. Of all the branches of human Industry 

 and specimens of excellent skill, the great elements I see are 

 those of power ; mighty Industry spreading happiness over the 

 land. 



In former times wealth and industry were expended for the 

 benefit of the few. The head of a powerful dynasty, one who 

 had his retainers, enjoyed chiefly the result of their labors. It 

 is not so now. The skill of the Mechanic, the power of the 

 Artisan, and the wealth of the Capitalist — these are now em- 

 ployed for the benefit of the masses ; not to make the great greater 

 and the rich richer, but to spread comfort among the masses, to 

 make the firesides smile with happiness and their children re- 

 joice in the home of Industry. 



This is tlie great picture which America presents ; Industry 

 diffusing wealth among the masses. It is a glorious spectacle of 

 wide-spread happiness. The tendency of our institutions is to 

 diffuse wealth, rather than to concentrate it in a few hands ; and 

 I rejoice that it is so. But understand me — wealth is entitled to 

 protection as well as industry. I have no sympathy with that 

 class of reformers who would strip the wealthy of their posses- 

 sions, and scatter them abroad in the vain hope of augmenting 

 the sum of human happiness by destroying the great principles 

 which bind society together. Far be it from me, gentlemen. I 

 would have every man enjoy his individual property ; I am for 

 that sort of industry which spreads wealth among the laboring 

 classes, and elevates them gradually to the sca,le that rises above 

 them. 



Government is constituted for the good of those who support 

 it ; no government can bo stable, or powerful, which is not ad- 

 ministered for their benefit. I find that I have announced a great 

 political doctrine ; it is one which history teaches, and future 

 generations will write it upon the face of the whole earth. No 

 government ought to stand which overlooks or neglects the wel- 

 fare of its people. The American Government, the greatest 



