“Our Country” 

Description

“Our Country” 

Americans! we have a country vast in extent, and blessed with all the privileges and enjoyments possessed by any country on the globe. There is no country on earth, I verily believe, that presents such picturesque and romantic scenery as ours. There is but one Niagara in its broad circumference, and then its glorious rivers, from the tumbling cataracts of high northern latitudes, to the calm and beautiful Susquehannah, the placid Chenango, the Majestic Mississippi, and the golden waters of the Missouri. And then look at our lakes; vast enough to be called inland seas, and in which dwells the shining trout and the delicious white fish. And our forests with trees of every cast and hue, and if seen in the frosts of Autumn, presents a view beyond the powers of pencil to paint. And more than this, there are alive with songsters of every note and feather; from the majestic eagle down to the little ground sparrow. Again look at our vast prairies, the still solitude where man feels as if he really were alone with the wild and almost unapproachable Indian. Then look at its noisy cities, where men crowd and rush, as if the spot of earth on which they were their only spot. We see towns and villages springing up, as it were in the wilderness; but soon those little villages, vying with those of Europe and other countries, become large cities, to be called the Londons of the great western world. Talk not then of Europe as the only land worth a journey over; its past we have reason to admire there is sublimity in it; but who dare set the bounds of our country; who will pretend to say what it will yet be; sublime is but a feeble word for the destiny that awaits it. What nation presents such a spectacle as ours; having so many laws, so complicated and varied and yet moving so harmoniously. We do not have any of those troubles which cause so much war and discord in Europe and other foreign countries. 

And while other countries are ruled and governed by Kings or Sovereigns, whose word is law, and who are at liberty to put to death whosoever may disobey; we are free to do and act as we please; and to speak just what we think on any occasion. We may go within the walls of the capitol at Washington, and there, under the star-spangled banner, we see the Representatives of thirty-one states, all of which are in a thriving condition, sending daily supplies of good to foreign countries. To whom are we indebted for all these blessings; this question is easily answered; to him who sailed across the stormy ocean, under many difficulties, who underwent all the privations and hardships possible for man to endure, and finally succeeded in his enterprise; from that time to this we can all see how busy has been the spirit of improvement. Besides being indebted to Columbus, we are also indebted to Washington for preserving our country from the ruling power of the Kings of England. It is right that we should honor that great and good man; it is right that we should be proud of him; no other country produced such a man as Washington, nor do I believe there ever will be a man who will manage our government as he managed it. We should be proud therefore, that this our country was his birth place. But there is another, to whom we owe a greater debt than to Washington and Columbus both; that is God: he has ordained all things; and if it had not been his will, this country would have remained in its savage and unenlightened state; and it was his will, or we could not be what we now are; a free and enlightened people. 

Inventory Number: DOC 434