Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/29

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and cordage of the Ship of State strong, flexible and sufficient t<> anchor it securely in any harbor, and sail it safely on any sea. Be- lirvin^ in tin- ability of this I'nion t<> maintain its own greatness, tin- Southern counsel will urge the Government to herd the advice of \V.i->hin^ton and make no entangling alliance with, or dangerous concession to, any foreign power. The Monroe doctrine is under- stood to be a settled policy as to improper European aggression on this hemisphere, and the South is now listening with boundless sympathy to the cry of Cuba, and on hearing the wail of this op- pressed neighbor it inquires, Why shall all America be free and the beautiful Queen of the Antilles be alone a slave? In short, you will allow the statement to be made that your South, like the Goddess of Justice, can weigh the issues of this day in unbiased scales, and with unselfish patriotism join the true men of all the States in pro- tecting the political axioms of our people, and contributing with all its increasing resources to the future unexampled greatness of the American Union.

THE AMERICAN SPIRIT.

In consideration of all our traditions and our present vantage ground as a Nation, let us cherish a strong American spirit. Not a prescriptive or prejudiced, but a characteristic Americanism in both the native and the naturalized citizen. Our country is not isolated from other nations, but it is indeed differentiated from them by its form, its policy, its people and probable destiny. It was not born great and had no greatness thrust upon it; but it has achieved a greatness that is not European, nor Oriental, but purely American. The blood of all European tribes has been pouring into our National body, and we have feared the development of foreign traits; but the predominance of the American spirit will secure the American character. The laws, the institutions, the ideas and even the lan- guage of this country will be distinctively American. A peculiar people, bearing in character, manners and views the impress of strong American individuality, has risen, and will reign in this country from sea to sea. The type is not in process of formation : it is already formed and the development cannot be arrested. The typical American has unbounded faith in the wisdom of his country to devise its own policy, in its power to execute its own will, and in its goodness to preserve the liberties of its people.

My Southern Comrades: When the victorious veterans of the