which the present American, male or female cannot possibly equal. The men who laid the foundation of our institutions. were, in plain, practical wisdom and self-sustaining manhood, the superiors of their descendants of to-day, notwithstanding our far better educational advantages and the general advance of civilization. In fact, since 1775, the world has made no advance in regard to the great doctrines of civil liberty. Our North Carolina ancestors of that day understood those essential and fundamental principles quite as well as we do to-day, and were possibly more jealous of any encroachments thereupon. A knowledge of these things has not kept apace in America with the developments of science. We have been more anxious to teach our young souls the constitution of the solar spectrum than the constitution of their government; more desirous to show them the volcanoes in the moon than the value of the blood-bought rights of Habeas Corpus, and the subordination of military power. In such things, indeed we have not degenerated or fallen behind our neighbors; for they do not depend upon geographical situation or the stimulants of commerce. On the contrary, I believe it may be safely affirmed that a jealous love of old-fashioned constitutional principles exists in these United States now in the inverse ratio to commercial activity. Naturally, those communities most given over to trade and the accumulation of wealth study political principles least, and make least clamor at dangerous invasions. So they are protected in their gains. they are satisfied. It is the nature of capital to cower under the wing of power-arbitrary or constitutional, it matters not. There is compensation in this world. It may be that our commercial inactivity will prove no disadvantage in the long run, and that in less than five hundred years from this it may appear plain to our children that these forward rivers and forbidding sand-banks have been our greatest blessings. To all communities which grow rapidly in wealth and power too rapidly to harden into permanence and stability-there comes a day when that wealth and power gathers itself in a few hands, leaving a vast mass of homeless and empty people. Suffering and the unscrupulous politicians will soon work out the inevitable problem, and the product will be what it has ever been, and ever will be-anarchy a little while, despotism for ages. This day will long be deferred in North Carolina. Our wealth increases slowly; three-fifths at least of our forest is still standing; the growth of our population is steady and natural, and ten times the number to the square mile would not crowd any for homes. In proportion to numbers, she now has more freeholders than any of the Atlantic States, and the distribution of the land is increasing instead of diminishing. Political power is therefore still with the many, and as the many are comfortable, and will continue so whilst they have homes, the reign of the mob is far distant indeed in North Carolina. Where growth is so gradual, compacting is necessarily genuine and sincere, and all institutions stable. The boy now living, and who may read this, it is likely will be spared to see the day when it shall be acknowledged that mere physical development of a land, however wonderful, may be purchased too dearly at the cost of free institutions, domestic tranquility and national conservatism. In full faith in these things, we patiently bear the jeering of our more active neighbors, and justify our sand-banks, crooked rivers, and all! RECITED BY JAMES BARRON HOPE, ON THE OCCASION OF Completing the Monument ERECTED BY THE LADIES OF WARREN COUNTY, N. C., OVER THE REMAINS OF ANNIE CARTER LEE. ORIGINALLY PRINTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HOLLYWOOD MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. |