14 Mr. President, we are perpetually forgetting this subtle and complex, yet obvious and natural mechanism of our Constitution; and because we do forget it, we are continually wondering how it is that a confederacy of thirty and more States, covering regions so vast, and regulating interests so various of so many millions of men, constituted and conditioned so diversely, works right on. We are continually looking to see it stop and stand still, or fall suddenly into pieces. But, in truth, it will not stop; it cannot stop; it was made not to stop, but to keep in motion—in motion always, and without force. For my own part, as this wonderful machine, when it had newly come from the hands of its almost divine inventors, was the admiration of my earlier years, although it was then but imperfectly known abroad, so now, when it forms the central figure in the economy of the world’s civilization, and the best sympathies of mankind favor its continuance, I expect that it will stand and work right on until men shall fear its failure no more than we now apprehend that the sun will cease to hold his eternal place in the heavens. Nevertheless, I do not expect to see this purely popular though majestic system always working on unattended by the presence and exhibition of human temper and human passions. That would be to expect to enjoy rewards, benefits, and blessings, without labor, care, and watchfulness:—an expectation contrary to divine appointment. These are the discipline of the American citizen, and he must inure himself to it. When, as now, a great policy, fastened upon the country through its doubts and'fears, confirmed by its habits, and strengthened by personal interests and ambitions, is to be relaxed and changed, in order that the nation may have its just and natural, and free developments, then, indeed, all the winds of controversy are let loose upon us from all points of the political compass, we see objects and men only through mazes, mists, and doubtful and lurid lights. The earth seems to be heaving under our feet, and the pillars of the noble fabric that protects us to be trembling before our eyes. But the appointed end of all this agitation comes at last, and always seasonably; the tumults of the people subside; the country becomes calm once more; and then we find that only our senses have been disturbed, and that they have betrayed us. The earth is firm as always before, and the wonderful structure, for whose safety _ we have feared- so anxiously, now more firmly fixed than ever, still stands unmoved, enduring and immovable. THE TRIBUNE ALMANAC FOR 1860, SIXTH EDITION NOW READY CONTENTS. APPROPRIATIONS BY CONGRESS. CABINET OF THE UNITED STATES. CALENDARS FOR 1860. CHRONOLOGICAL CYCLES. CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. DAY AND NIGHT, LENGTH OF. ECLIPSES FOR 1860. EQUINOXES AND SOLSTICES FOR 1860. EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. GOVERNORS OF THE STATES AND TERRITORIES. GOVERNMENTS OF EUROPE. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE U. S. ITALIAN WAR, SKETCHES OF THE. KANSAS IN 1859. LAND FOR THE LANDLESS. LEAP-YEAR. MINISTERS PLENIPOTENTIARY AND MINISTERS RESIDENT. OCCULTATIONS. POSTAGE, RATES OF. PRESIDENT, POPULAR VOTE FOR, BY STATES. RETURNS OF ELECTIONS in all the States holding Gene ral Elections during the year 1859, carefully compiled expressly for THE TRIBUNE ALMANAC, and compared with former Elections, for convenient reference. SEASONS, DURATION OF. SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. SLAVE TRADE, FOREIGN. SOVEREIGNS OF EUROPE. STARS, MORNING AND EVENING. STATE GOVERNMENTS. SUPREME COURT, JUDGES OF. TIDES. TREASURY ESTIMATES FOR I860. TRUE TIME. Price (postage paid) single copies 18 cents, American coin ; 12 copies $1: 100 copies, $8. If sent by Express, per 100 ; 13 copies for $1. Orders, accompanied with the cash, respectfully solicited. Address, HORACE GREELEY & CO., Tribune Buildings, New York,
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