to the mortification of great minds at home, to our disadvantage abroad, and to that inertness and lack of enterprise which all false ideas are prone to create. We are but a small nation, as yet hardly productive, certainly not self-supporting; but we have nationality, and also the duties and responsibilities which are of twin birth with it. Our nationality is to be carefully guarded and cherished as a most precious jewel; but the obligations which are connected with it are of equal worth, and demand equal interest, and earnest zeal, for their preservation. I have already shown the obligation of nations to contribute to the world's well-being. As an humble member of the great sisterhood of nations, this obligation rests upon us. How shall we meet this obligation and answer the call of this duty?
Now, I have no doubt that while speaking of blessing and benefiting mankind nationally, some here have thought of the material agencies, of trade and commerce, as the means to be pointed out, inasmuch as they seem the chief instrumentalities by which one nation comes in contact with and influences others; and I shall not fail to notice these means of good to man. But in exhibiting the main modes and measures whereby we may fulfil our national obligation to the human race, I would urge and insist, primarily, and as of the vastest importance, that we must cultivate to the highest bent, to the nicest coloring of honor,—we must cultivate men![1] This
- ↑ "Our land is rough and poor," said a New Englander, "we can raise but little produce, and so we build school-houses and churches, and raise men."
