No. 199.] 309 



We often use the term American System, and we have a right to 

 do so. Since the world began, men never before felt what it was by 

 millions in number, to be all free, And we love law and order. Our 

 citizens whether here or in California, under all circumstances and 

 conditions with one astonishing concord, grant almost without a mur- 

 mur, the just right of a majority. You behold ever since 1776, 

 minorities, composed of men as bold and fiery in temper as ever 

 lived, submitting to the will of the majority with such absolute quiet- 

 ness as would dignify the most rational philosophers of the world. 

 For the fir.st time since the deluge, vast masses of men are here seen, 

 ail desirous of power, yet all substituting from a proud principle of 

 Republicanism — reason for force — the ballot box for the bidlet! Our 

 ancestors of England had much of this spirit among them. They 

 never would have a Salic Law like France, excluding ladies from the 

 throne ; on the contrary, they never seemed better pleased than when 

 they had a fair one hold the sceptre whose white hand they could 

 kiss without an alarm to personal haughtiness. They are somewhat 

 noted as king killers^ but they never beheaded their Antoinettes. We, 

 like them in this, are by no means likely to kiss the hands of kings, 

 but in the course of time, we may perhaps have a lovely lady pre- 

 siding, to whom we may pleased bow and baise mains! That, how- 

 ever, is postponed until the severe labor of building this great western 

 temple of liberty shall be finished. In the interim, we are of that 

 sect in human philosophy, in private as well as in public life — who 

 place the highest hopes of human perfection ^ of felicity , upon the ex- 

 altation of the fair sex! And permit me to remind you of a very 

 remarkable fact every where witnessed in our country to its remotest 

 borders. A respectable female travels throughout the land whether 

 guarded by her friends or alone, not only without ijisult or injury^ but 

 with the certainty of most respectful treatment on all occasions from 

 every Jlmerican! This is a national characteristic, of which I am 

 rather more proud than I am of his unsurpassed daring in battle. 



The Roman Satirist Juvenal speaks of llio fnrly, best days of that 

 Republic — saying, then all hir lailits wire hoitonthlc and all her men 

 were hravc ! 



