ance and patriotism. Under the impulse of excited and exaggerated statements, deeds of lawlessness and violence are committed, which render life insecure and destroy the happiness of the citizen and the character of the State.

We might dwell with patriotic pleasure on the Charitable Institutions of our State-the Insane Asylum at Raleigh, under the superintendence of the energetic Grissom, a monument to the philanthropy of that "white-winged messenger of peace," Miss Dix, and the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, under the fostering care of Mr. Palmer; also, the Penitentiary and other institutions; but space and time do not allow, nor am I willing to trespass longer on your patience and kindness. But looking back upon the past, and dwelling on the present, what a glorious future is presented! It has been asserted that this nineteenth century has been the most important period in the history of our race that has elapsed since the creation of the world. Just pause and see what has been accomplished by the genius of man within our own day! The tunneling of the Alps at Mount Cenis; the Canal of Suez, connecting the Red Sea with the Mediterranean in Europe; the Railway uniting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in our own nation; the Marine Telegraph uniting Europe and America are achievements unrivalled in the history of the world, and monuments of the enterprise and genius of the present age. Within our own memory we had no telegraphs, no ocean steamships, no steam cars, or street railways. But now, by the advance of science, we can hear from the distant parts of the globe in a few moments, and read the debates of yesterday in the British Parliament in our morning papers here. It brings together the civilized world in close neighborhood. Still we have much to do, and we should be up and doing it. Everything encourages us,

i.

"The vast unbounded future lies before us,
But clouds and darkness rest upon it."

If war and disaster have clouded our prospects;* if our finances are disturbed and our industries crippled, yet we have our luxuriant soil, our healthful climate, our invigorating air, our mines of gold, iron and coal, and the future may yet be as full of prosperity as our past is full of proud recollections.

The approaching census, (the 9th,†) will show that we have more than a million of people, whose hearts should beat warmly for the honor of their country. These are the wealth of any country.

What constitutes a State?

Not high raised battlements, or labored mound,

Thick wall or moated gate,

Nor cities proud with spires and turrets crowned;
Not bays and broad armed ports,

Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride;
Not starred and spangled courts,

Where low-born baseness wafts perfume to pride.
No, men, high minded men,-

Men, who their duties know,

And know their rights, and knowing dare maintain,
And crush the tyrants, while they rend the chain.
These constitute a State."+

* See Table appended.

The approaching census, (the 9th census since the foundation of our government,) under the practiced and patient superintendence of its present accomplished head, (Gen. Francis A. Walker,) promises to be of great value. To us it is very important Among other important results, it fixes the ratio of our representation in Congress for the next decade. Under the Constitution in 1789, North Carolina had five members. By the first census taken in 1790, North Carolina had ten members, next to Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, and equal to New York. The following table exhibits the ratio of representation under the census of the years 1790 to 1860, inclusive, and the number of members of Congress to which North Carolina was entitled:

It depends on the energy and fidelity of our census takers whether this number be increased or diminished. The present number of the House of Representatives is 243, the Senate 74 members. The British House of Lords has 462 members and the House of Commons has 658 members. The Senate of France has 169 members and the Legislative body has 376 members.

Sir William Jones.

In every period of her history, in every peril and national danger, the sons of North Carolina have shown their noble character by deeds of valor and of virtue.

And in conclusion, shall I say nothing to the fair auditory who have so patiently endured this dry detail of facts and "bristly array of figures!"

The most patriotic efforts of man have ever been encouraged and sustained by woman's sympathy and woman's aid. Our continent had never been discovered had not woman aided, for when monarch after monarch refused to listen to the appeals of Columbus, and even her husband turned a deaf ear, Isabella pledged her jewels to raise the means, and thus enable Columbus " to give a new world to the kingdoms of Castile and Leon." And justly proud as is our State of the character of her sons, bright as are the gems of her hills and pure as is the gold of her mountains, prouder she is of her fair daughters— brighter than her gems and purer than her gold :

There's music in the winter blast

That sweeps thy hollow glen,

Less sturdy sons would shrink aghast
From piercing winds such as thou hast,
To nurse these iron men.

And thou hast gems, aye, living pearls!
And flowers of brightest hue;
How lovely are thy bright-eyed girls,
Of fairy forms and elfin curls,

And smiles like Herman's dew.