Architecture in the United States. lOT 



take too strong hold on our feelings, and make us, it is true, a thriv- 

 ing and prosperousj but at the same time, a selfish people ; that in 

 the eager pursuit of wealth and station, and the disposition it brings 

 to " lay aside every weight," we may throw from us some things 

 more honorable than even wealth, or popular applause ; that in the 

 strong and constant pressure of business, patriotism and generous 

 feelings, and piety may be stifled and disappear. The decline of 

 these is already an object of frequent remark. That we mourn over 

 more than we have cause for, is probable ; but still they are in dan- 

 ger ; and the danger is most to be dreaded, because it is insidious, 

 slow, secret, and in every person's breast. One effect of our circum- 

 stances certainly is, to produce greater individuality of feeling among 

 us than is to be found in any other country. It is a singular trait in our 

 character, and I think by no means a favorable one. Our general 

 government itself, instead of drawing us closer to one another, and 

 making us feel like one vast nation, separates us into parts, and places 

 this individuality strongly and distinctly before us. And so with near- 

 ly all our institutions : indeed, every object of pursuit, thought, and 

 feeling, will be found, more or less, conformed to this character, 

 and calculated to make each individual stand out effective, it is true, 

 but isolated and alone. The fact is, we need greatly, something to 

 break down this individuality, and form a common bond of union 

 among us ; something to make us feel that we are members of one 

 great community ; something that, by being a common subject of 

 thought, action, and strong interest, will make our feelings flow into 

 one another, and attach us more powerfully to our fellows, and to 

 the country. Other nations are provided for this, in their king, their 

 national religion, their national universities, their national monuments, 

 in a hundred things to which the term national is applied. The re- 

 publics of old times provided for it, chiefly in giving their cities ob- 

 jects of deep and common interest. We have no provision for it, 

 except in our Army and Navy, and a few other institutions. We 

 have, I believe, but one state university, in the nation ; all is loose, 

 solitary and distinct. There is no cement to integral parts, an article 

 deemed necessary, even in the well based pyramids of Egypt : we 

 have no strong bond of union ; no object which, disgraced, would 

 bring disgrace on the community ; nothing around which we should 

 rally in case of danger, with perhaps the single exception of our lib- 

 erties. Something, as I have said, to turn the mighty energies of 

 our nation, or portions of it, into one channel; to give us some com- 



