<​February 7​> land, traversing all the Seas with the rich productions of their industry, engaged in commerce with nations who feel power and forget right, advancing rapidly to destinies beyond the reach of mortal eye; when I contemplate these transcendant objects, and see the honor, the happiness, and the hopes of this beloved country committed to the issue and the auspices of this day, I shrink from the contemplation, and humble myself before the magnitude of the undertaking.” Such a prospect was truly soul stirring to a good man, but “since the Father’s have fallen asleep,” wicked and designing men, have unrobed the government of its glory,— and the people, if not in dust and ashes, or in sack cloth, have to lament in poverty, her departed greatness; while demagogues build fires in the North and South, east and west, to keep up their Spirits till it is better times: but year after year has left the people to hope till the very name of Congress, or State Legislature, is as horrible to the sensitive friend of his Country, as the house of “Blue Beard” is to children; or “Crockford’s” Hell of , to meek men. When the people are secure and their rights properly respected, then the four main pillars of prosperity, viz: agriculture, manufactures, [HC 6:200] navigation, and commerce, need the fostering care of government; and in so goodly a country as ours, where the soil, the climate, the rivers, the lakes, and the sea coast; the productions, the timber, the minerals; and the inhabitants are so diversified, that a pleasing variety accommodates all tastes, trades, and calculations, it certainly is the highest point of supervision to protect the whole Northern and Southern, eastern and western, centre and circumference of the realm, by a judicious tariff. It is an old saying and a true one, “if you wish to be respected, respect yourselves.”