314 [Assembly 



suits. The Southern Press would confer a favor to collect and 

 publish correct information on this subject. 



Mr. Madison in 1787, said, "The great danger to our general 

 government is, the Scuthernand JVorthtrn Interests, of the conti- 

 nent being opposed to each other. Look to the votes in Congress, and 

 most of. them stand divided by the geography of the country, not ac- 

 cording to the size of the States.''^ This appreliended danger seems 

 now to be fast receding. The South cannot but understand that, 

 in addition to their present agriculture, with the advantages of 

 climate and soil which nature has so kindly bestowed upon them ; 

 with commerce, manuiactures, labor-saving machinery and In- 

 ternal Improvements, witli Railroads and the use of the streams 

 intersecting their land, they have abundant highways for indi- 

 vidual and national prosperity. 



Nevertheless,we yet sometimes have collisions. The purpose 

 of the American Institute is to maintain that it is the duty of all 

 to harmonize, support the flag that spreads over our country, and 

 to uphold that Union which secures happiness to all the subjects 

 of this government. 



The occasion forbids that we follow out the course of general 

 remark which it would delight us to present. We will there- 

 fore ask you to cast your eyes around this room, and remember 

 the contrast presented twenty-three years ago, to that which 

 now meets your gaze. Then a small room afforded space for our 

 domestic productions and our auditory. Now, we stand in the 

 largest room in America, filled to overflowing with domestic pro- 

 ductions, and with an auditory of which a small part only can 

 gain admittance, pressing upon us. These circumstances show 

 the spirit of the age, and mark an era in civilization. We have, 

 in addition to this, an adjoining Machine Room of two hundred 

 feet extent, with a steam engine in motion, and shafting the 

 whole length of the room, filled with specimens of improved 

 machinery wliich ought to be the admiration of our country. 

 Ingenious men must travel thousands of miles before they can 

 see concentrated, and in action, such varieties of scientific and 

 mechanical skill, as are seen in yonder room. In few countries 

 o the world can be produced such specimens of labor-saving 



