[25]
Huge and mighty are our days, our republican lands--and most in their
rapid shiftings, their changes, all in the interest of the cause. As
I write this particular passage, (November, 1868,) the din of
disputation rages around me. Acrid the temper of the parties, vital
the pending questions. Congress convenes; the President sends his
message; reconstruction is still in abeyance; the nomination and the
contest for the twenty-first Presidentiad draw close, with loudest
threat and bustle. Of these, and all the like of these, the
eventuations I know not; but well I know that behind them, and
whatever their eventuations, the vital things remain safe and
certain, and all the needed work goes on. Time, with soon or later
superciliousness, disposes of Presidents, Congressmen, party
platforms, and such. Anon, it clears the stage of each and any mortal
shred that thinks itself so potent to its day; and at and after which,
(with precious, golden exceptions once or twice in a century,) all
that relates to sir potency is flung to moulder in a burial-vault,
and no one bothers himself the least bit about it afterward. But
the People ever remain, tendencies continue, and all the idiocratic
transfers in unbroken chain go on.
In a few years the dominion-heart of America will be far inland,
toward the west. Our future national capital may not be where the
present one is. It is possible, nay likely, that in less than fifty
years, it will migrate a thousand or two miles, will be re-founded,
and every thing belonging to it made on a different plan, original,
far more superb.
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