47 



merits of human nature in industry, in government, in the 

 arts, in religion, and in philosophy, are far better made in 

 accordance with the laws enacted by its author, than under 

 those imposed by governmental or any other agency. Based 

 upon the recognition of thjs truth, we were yet to see the in- 

 dividual man standing upon this world's great theatre, an ac- 

 tor by himself ; depending upon his own energies; relying 

 upon his own resources ; and wholly divested of the advfhti- 

 tious aid of government. We were to see him shaping his 

 course alone on the- great ocean of life; with the universal 

 principles of human action for his chart ; his own strong 

 judgment for his pilot ; his polar star the heaven of the hap- 

 py. ' ' 



A new portion of our earth was required for this last sep- 

 aration, and for the further progressive developement of human 

 elements. In finding it, humanity, to be consistent with her 

 former movements, must travel westward. She did so. The 

 Atlantic wave interposed but a feeble barrier-; the then un- 

 broken forests of our own dear land but a momentary obstacle. 

 It requires an energy strong indeed, to stop or stay the migh- 

 ty march of man on the broad surface of this globe. 



America presents a field fitted to call forth the highest pos- 

 sible exertion. It is a goodly portion of a goodly world. 

 Nature here blends the sublime with the beautiful ; and in 

 her happy disposition of the mountain and the plain ; of the 

 river and the lake ; of the bay and the harbor ; in -her diver- 

 sities of climate ; her varieties of soil ; her numerous and 

 dissimilar productions ; in her beauties of prospect ; fie^sub- 

 limity of design ; her felicity of e^jccution, she seems to have 

 united, in one grand result, the perfection of all her previous 

 models. It was never intended that man only should dwin- 

 dle here. His first act in the assumption of a national fchar- 

 acter, exhibited the noblest specimen of moral sublimity ever 

 yet presented to the world. The American revolution was 

 the oflspring of no momentary ebullition. It proceeded less 

 from physical, than from moral oppression. It was the firm, 



