upon as part of that mental and physical training which makes a woman
more than the mere ornament of the drawing-room--fits her usefully to
act her appropriate part in the trying scenes to which the most
favored may be subjected--to become the mother of heroes, and live in
the admiration of posterity.

Fears had once been entertained and much opposition was formerly made
to an extension of the area of the United States. A wiser policy,
however, prevailed, and the introduction of new regions, increasing
the variety of our productions, have magnified the advantages of free
trade between the States, and made us almost independent of other
countries for the supply of every object whether of necessity or of
luxury. I would be glad to extend our boundary and make the circle of
our products complete, so that, whilst we would encourage commerce
with christendom we should be, commercially as we are politically,
absolutely independent, whenever it should be proper or necessary to
terminate intercourse with any or every other country. A statesman of
former days wished that the Atlantic was a sea of fire, that it might
be a barrier to shut out European contamination. Whatever fear was
once justifiable, no apprehension now need to exist, that our people
will imitate or seek to adopt the political theories of Europe. We
have recently rejoiced in the success of the attempt to establish
telegraphic communication with England; because in closer commercial
ties we saw no danger of political influence. I was happy this evening
to receive assurances that the success of that enterprise was at last
complete. I have not been of those whose doubts were stronger than
their hopes--thanks to a sanguine temperament. I have from the
beginning anticipated success, and have heretofore said that if the
present attempt riled I was sure that Yankee enterprise and skill
could make a cable and lay it across the Atlantic. And we look forward