The preservation of our union, the great anchor of our safety, requires that the good of all should be consulted, and promoted. The wealth of a nation is the product of its industry. The fertility of our soil, calls us to agriculture; the exchange of our productions of the land, with internal manufactures, always safe, should form the basis of American commerce. The less we are dependent on other nations, the more they will respect us; and the less shall we be annoyed by them. People are the strength of a nation. Facility of subsistence will always multiply them. Perhaps no age or country has witnessed such rapid advances, in both population and improvement, as our own. The militia, a subject often recalled to your recollections, never more demanded your attention. I have seen with pleasure, an improvement in the discipline and military appearance of the men. There is a pride allied to honour; it is the soul of a soldier; it cheers him in toils--nerves him in danger--and in the path of his duty, leads him to victory, or to death, with equal magnanimity. The laws should cherish this pride'; the first step to which, is the procurement of good officers; the next, the habit of obedience. Arms are indispensable. Once more permit me to recommend an armory. A beginning should be made; we have resources; we have credit; money might be borrowed; the sale of vacant land might soon replace it. To preserve our prosperous state, we must be strong: to maintain liberty, we must be able to defend it. Nor should we forget, that to maintain our rights, we should understand them. Education then becomes expedient, as the handmaid to information-the only substitute for ignorance. Knowledge is equally necessary in both military, and civil affairs. Every country produces talents sufficient for every purpose, both private and public, if they are but duly cultivated. Then how important are schools, both civil and military! These are important subjects, gentlemen, which to mention, is to recommend to your aid-there is, however, yet another, still more important; because it is of every day's use; it is the interest and right of every man; it is the administration of 524 HISTORY OF KENTUCKY. justice. There is a tardiness in its progress, which bespeaks something much amiss in the structure, or organization of the courts; or in both. "A celebrated writer of English history, has observed, that in that country, the king, lords, and commons; the army, navy, and revenue, are all for the support of the twelve judges. Meaning by this, that the whole machinery of government is intended for the correct and uninterrupted administration of the laws, and that this can only be done through the judges. "The judiciary of that country, is certainly the cause why it is more free than any other, but our own. Their judges are men of the first learning and talents; the tenure of their offices, as well as the receipt of their salaries, are dependent on their good behaviour, alone; and their compensation is so ample, as to require no other fortune for their support, &c. The effect of such arrangement, has been the salvation of the nation from entire despotism. I would not be understood as recommending equal salaries, but such as are both competent and liberal. "Continued habits of study and reflection, are required for this station, beyond every other. And this holds true, most especially, in the court of the last resort; whose decisions, to a great extent, must form the law of the land." The tardy administration of justice, and especially in chancery, is again the subject of remark; and proper for revision-as is also, the criminal code. There is too much lenity, for either reform, or punishment. Allusion is made to the struggle of the southern patriots, with becoming sympathy. And with expressions of gratitude, for the abundant blessings enjoyed by the nation, and the state, encourages a practice of the necessary means to preserve them. And next, after a very lengthy address, which is here greatly condensed, he makes his valedictory, and retires, like a patriot, and a sage. END OF VOLUME II. |