that  it  18  as  common  an  error  to  look  prematurely  for  the  blights
which  must  follow  erroneous  culture,  as  it  is  to  expect  propitious
fruits  from  that  wliich  is  judicious.  This  nation  is  youthful  and
vigorous.  It  caimot  now  sulfer  long  and  deeply  from  any  cause,  for
it  has  great  recuperative  energies.  It  is  not  destined  to  an  immedi-
ate fall,  or  even  to  early  decline.  It  is  the  part  of  wisdom,  never-
theless, not  to  try  how  much  of  erroneous  administration  it  can  bear,
but  to  adapt  our  policy  always  so  as  to  favor  the  most  complete  and
laslin)»  success  of  the  republic.
Gentlemen  of  the  Institute:  I  refrain  from  discussing  the  details
of  a  |>rotective  policy.  Circumstances  are  hastening  a  necessity  for
an  examination  of  them,  in  another  place,  where  action  follows  de-
bate, and  is  effective.  I  shall  not  be  absent  nor  idle  there.  But
I  win  not  attempt  to  delude  either  mysulf  or  you  into  the  belief  that
the  opinions  I  have  exj)rcssed,  which,  I  trusty  in  some  degree  corres-
pond with  your  own,  will  soon  become  fully  engrafted  into  the
policy  of  the  government.  I  shall  perform  my  duty  better  by  show-
ing you  that  it  is  not  wise  to  expect,  nor  even  absolutely  necessary
to  depend  on,  the  exercise  of  a  just  patronage  of  our  industry  by
the  government.
