136 The Olive Tree. 



portant subject claims the attention of government. Amidst its k- 

 bors for the promotion of commerce and manufactui'es, why should 

 not its fostering care be extended to agriculture? 



The people of the United States, instructed by experience, 

 have consecrated an altar of oblivion to the genius of the waves, 

 and to the genius of the soil. They will not allow one system 

 of industry to be promoted at the experience of another. We 

 have solved transcendant problems of reconcihng the interest of 

 the individual with that of the public, by throwing down the bar- 

 riers to every species of industry, and by leaving every man to 

 enjoy the fruits of his labor, undiminished by the exactions of a 

 rapacious government. Let these principles be the immovable 

 basis of our political economy. The height of prosperity at 

 which we have arrived, is doubtless attributable to the successive 

 enterprizes of our merchants, and our commerce should still be 

 cherished and defended Hke the sacred soil of the republic. But 

 has not the moment arrived when we may begin to measure the 

 greatness of our country by some other standard than simply that 

 of commercial prosperity .'' With means so ample and unembar- 

 rassed, might we not give more activity and extension to works 

 of domestic improvement.'' Education remains to be perfected — 

 a national character to be formed — our strength to be established 

 on durable foimdations, by the developement of our internal re- 

 sources. Institutions should be devised, which, by assimilating 

 the feelings of our citizens, may corroborate that union which is 

 the bulwark of our national independence, without intrenching on 

 those subordinate sovereignties which are the guarantees of om* 

 political liberty. A taste for pacific glory should be inspired, and 

 an impulse given to public spirit, in harmony with that magnani- 

 mous moderation which becomes the future arbiter of nations. 



From these great objects no schemes of vulgar ambition should 

 for a moment divert our ardor. Already the influence of our 

 character far exceeds that of our strength, and om- claims to the 

 rank of a primary power are admitted by anticipation. The at- 

 tention of the world is daily becoming more intently fixed upon 

 our actions. Old Europe contemplates with reverent affection, as 

 the hoary-headed warrior gazes on the blooming hero whose 

 youthful achievements eclipse the glory of his sire. A great ex- 

 ample is wanted by mankind; from us they demand it; and the 

 cause of universal liberty is interested in our conduct. 



We do not utter these sentiments in the language of reproach. 

 Much has already been done by our counry, which is admired by 

 contemporary sages, and which will go down with honor to a 

 more enlightened and philosophical posterity ; all that is great and 



