368 [Assembly 



There was a time of centuries duration, when poets and warriors 

 marked and controlled the record of events, when the energies of 

 men were directed against each other, and their genius lost in con- 

 stant and protracted neighboring wars ; and when the progress of 

 society was little else than progress in conquest, dominion and chan- 

 ges in military power. But now a great change has been wrought ; 

 the policy of the world has become more utilitarian ; inventors have 

 extended intelligence and civilization, brought countries in a close 

 contact, mingled their inhabitants, assimilated their interests, and 

 made near and friendly neighbors of distant and hostile strangers. 

 Society will ferment, strife will arise, and wars will ensue, but it will 

 be but the emetic of intelligence removing the bilious incumbrance of 

 degrading oppression. By aid of inventive genius in supplying im- 

 plements of war, the hostiUty of nations is brought to a more speedy 

 termination, and great results attained, and progress made, at the ex- 

 pense of little blood. The tendency of the age now is, not to honor 

 victory as such, but barely victory associated with a righteous cause. 



The most inveterate and enduring war now carried on, is that 

 waged by the allied forces of intelligence and inventive genius against 

 ignorance and the elements of nature. 



Now inventive genius has seized the reins of society, and com- 

 mands its progress. What the condition of society now is, in all 

 practical operations, compared with what it was a century ago, is the 

 result of this contest. What the aspect of things will be a hundred 

 years hence, compared with what it now is, will be a result of suc- 

 cessive conquests in this struggle. 



But what is the inventor's reward 1 



The ancient military chieftain, whose valor characterised the age 

 in which he lived, was stimulated by the prospect of power, and cheer- 

 ed on by the trumpet tongues of poets and orators. 



But what influence is to actuate this new commander of social pro- 

 gress, this new modeller of the manners and customs of nations, and 

 this new director of national destiny 1 



