.No. 199. j ' 407 



Let us briefly review the present condition of our country. Cast 

 your eyes abroad, to the other nations of the earth. Where do we 

 find, in them, causes or events from which we may learn wisdom, or 

 draw useful examples ? Great Britain has been about fifteen cen- 

 turies, and France perhaps ten, arriving at theil* present condition ; 

 while young America — not yet seventy years of age — has taken her 

 position in the front rank of nations ; and is holding competition with 

 those of the Old World most advanced in the civilized arts." Can it 

 be doubted, that, while our agriculture yields her annual product of 

 seven hundred million bushels of breadstuffs ; and with the genius 

 for industry and invention peculiar to our country — while a wide 

 field of promise lies open before us, — can it be doubted that we shall 

 continue to hold our place, eminent in the civilized world. We now 

 stand a sample republic — free and independent : — blessed with equal 

 rights 5 and in the full enjoyment of liberty, — regulated by law ; and 

 made secure by the principle of representation ; and guiding every 

 department of goverrmient under a respectful regard to public opinion 

 and to public happiness. 



When we look around upon our country, we find that the arts are 

 established here, domestic happiness firmly pjanted, labor respected, 

 agriculture elevated, and our manufacturers exhibiting a variety of 

 fabrics which they are willing to bring in comparison with those of 

 any portion of the earth. 



Look again at our peculiar institutions. Labor stands independent 

 and elevated, and is not reduced to the condition of either the sub- 

 ject, the serf, or the slave. Happiness is secured to every man; com- 

 merce is well supported; our manufactures prosperous, and our arti- 

 sans receiving the full value of their industrial occupations. [Applause.] 

 I know no page in history (continued the speaker) that can pro- 

 duce a parallel with the recent attitude of our country — at the same 

 time feeding an army abroad; sustaining a foreign war; carrying on 

 all our domestic institutions, and our great system of internal improve- 

 ments; affording bread stuffs to relieve Lreland in her famine; yet 

 without pledges or any new legislative burdens on the countr)-; taking 

 a loan at premium, and which now stands in market at thirteen per 

 cent above par! [Applause.] 



