in our relations to such a Constitution ought we to assume-what course ought we to pursue ? Are we, in opposition to its authority, to adjust ourselves to its inconsistencies and govern ourselves by its absurdities? It is most clear and certain, that it requires us to exert ourselves for the establishment of justice; and this as an all-absorbing, all-controlling purpose. Are we, out of regard to some obscure and doubtful hint, to lend ourselves to the infliction of injustice, foul and flagrant! It requires us in the plainest terms, and in the most solemn manner, to provide for ourselves and our posterity the blessings of Liberty. Are we, in the face and eyes of this requisition, and from respect to some oracular hint, received in opposition to the laws and usages of the English tongue; are we to occupy ourselves with sustaining and multiplying the monuments of slavery? Are we thus to prefer doubtful exceptions to the well-established general principle? To exalt enigmatical anomalies above plain, explicit and most healthful Legislation? Are we required thus to lay truth, reason, honor-every thing bright, beautiful, blessed the authority of God and the welfare of man on the altar of devils? Who demands this most obscene and abominable sacrifice at our hands? What sort of a tongue must he carry in his mouth, who in response can exclaim: Our dead ancestors! Such a requisition could be enforced by no authority on earth or in heaven.

Clearly, there is only one way of honoring the claims of the Constitution; and that must be by wisely and resolutely promoting the objects to which it is avowedly devoted. Thus, and thus only, can we put ourselves in harmony with its spirit-thus, and thus

only, submit to its authority. If any incidental feature can be detected in it in conflict with the sublime objects which it avows, that feature must have been admitted UNCONSTITUTIONALLY. Whoever may adjust himself to it in his aims and activity, FALLS FOUL OF THE CONSTITUTION. Whoever charges this upon the fran.ers of the Constitution, charges them with LEGISLATIVE SUICIDE. Let us beware, under whatever construction we may read their history, of assuming any such attitude. Let us cherish in our hearts, and embody in our history an earnest, affectionate regard for the objects which the Constitution describes and commends.

IDEAS AND PHENOMENA.

WE find ourselves in the midst of Appearances, multiplied and various. These reach our consciousness through the senses with which we are endowed. They are adapted each to a class of Phenomena, to which we have access. For whatever the sphere of vision comprehends, we have a corresponding organ which we call the eye; every where amidst the sounds, which are all abroad, the ear is at home at our service; and touch and taste bring us into communication with the objects to which they are respectively adapted. Thus, as adjusted to it, we make our entrance into the external world. Thus we gain access to the elements of which it is composed and by which it is distinguished; thus become acquainted with their characteristics and relations; thus learn to bring them into subserviency to the designs with which we may be engrossed.

The appearances, to which I have adverted, are far enough from insignificant. True, they report themselves as shadowy, mutable and short-lived. In this respect they may well be described by bold and startling metaphors. A flower about to wither, a dream on the point of evanishing, a bubble ready to break-such figures thoughtful observers are here tempted to employ. They therefore bid us beware of ascribing to mere appearances any intrinsic worth; of fastening ourselves fondly and confidingly upon what cannot nourish or strengthen or refresh. To do so, they assure us, must be to plunge headlong into utter bankruptcy. Yet these things, so to be described, are the product of

Wisdom. They must, therefore, have a meaning worthy of their origin. They are, in many ways, and in a high degree, adapted to our necessities, and promotive of our welfare. In their natural relations and proper uses, they can hardly be overrated. They offer us their services just there where, without their intervention, the ends of our existence could not be reached -could not even be apprehended. They furnish us with the SYMBOLS through which we may lay hold of the substantial and imperishable benefits which our birthright involves-through which we may get possession of our natural inheritance. This consists of the priceless entities to which the higher elements of our nature are adapted; which thus lie within the compass of our being; and which, therefore, as a matter of study, acquisition and enjoyment belong to us constitutionally. PRINCIPLES, IDEAS, LAWS in all their worth and dignity and beauty-under all their names and aspects and bearings-with their high demands, their sovereign influences, their sublime results; these constitute for us whatever may be entitled to thought, affection, endeavor-in these are hidden the vitality of our life, the vigor of our strength, the fountain of our joys. These comprehend for us whatever may be grand in the Past, significant in the Present, inspiring in the Future. And these reveal themselves to our consciousness in the Appearances which every where surround us. In them, Ideas are realized, Principles expressed, Laws proclaimed. And all this decisively, peremptorily, authoritatively. A sovereign influence reaches the very depths of our spirits. It penetrates, pervades, controls. It awakens within us a sense of obligation. It reveals to us the Divine presence and majesty.

These results, so full of weight and worth, grow out of the nature we have inherited amidst the relations we sustain, and the influences which are unceasingly exerted for our benefit. Within the compass of our existence, as incorporated in our structure, such elements announce themselves as respond to the Phenomenal on the one hand and the Ideal on the other. Thus constructed and endowed, we have a natural interest—a property in the one and the other in their mutual relations and various bearings. They belong to us. Their presence, their significance, their claims, we are able to understand and honor. We are able to identify ourselves with them, under their appropriate characters, respectively; to get possession of the exhaustless wealth inherent in them, and to refresh ourselves with the unfading beauty with which they are ever radiant. We need not, as we cannot, go beyond the proper limits of our existence to appropriate whatever they contain. To this, if we are true to ourselves, we shall find ourselves equally disposed and adapted. The more deeply, broadly, vigorously human we may be, the more certainly and fully shall we be able to avail ourselves of the symbols which offer themselves to our service the more facile and rapid will be our ascent through Appearances to the Substantial and Imperishable.

The story of Isaac Newton's apple has often been related. Learned writers have of late assured us that we need not doubt its authenticity. It was a common Occurrence an appearance often witnessed, which caught the eye of the Philosopher. Its symbolic import he now perceived. It announced the presence of a Principle, full of vitality, of wide application and of