In this our country has, in my judgment, thus far fulfilled its highest
duty to suffering humanity. It has spoken and will continue to speak,
not only by its words, but by its acts, the language of sympathy,
encouragement, and hope to those who earnestly listen to tones which
pronounce for the largest rational liberty. But after all, the most
animating encouragement and potent appeal for freedom will be its own
history - its trials and its triumphs. Preeminently, the power of our
advocacy reposes in our example; but no example, be it remembered, can
be powerful for lasting good, whatever apparent advantages may be
gained, which is not based upon eternal principles of right and
justice. Our fathers decided for themselves, both upon the hour to
declare and the hour to strike. They were their own judges of the
circumstances under which it became them to pledge to each other "their
lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor" for the acquisition of
the priceless inheritance transmitted to us. The energy with which that
great conflict was opened and, under the guidance of a manifest and
beneficent Providence the uncomplaining endurance with which it was
prosecuted to its consummation were only surpassed by the wisdom and
patriotic spirit of concession which characterized all the counsels of
the early fathers.

One of the most impressive evidences of that wisdom is to be found in
the fact that the actual working of our system has dispelled a degree
of solicitude which at the outset disturbed bold hearts and
far-reaching intellects. The apprehension of dangers from extended
territory, multiplied States, accumulated wealth, and augmented
population has proved to be unfounded. The stars upon your banner have
become nearly threefold their original number; your densely populated
possessions skirt the shores of the two great oceans; and yet this vast