the national character and dangerous to public morals ; but I cannot doubt that each and CROTON AQUEDUCT. 303 every of the defaulting communities which shall steadily and manfully persevere to the final completion of its works, will find in the resulting benefits, ample means for redeem- ing the faith plighted to the public creditor. It is in this point of view that the comple- tion of the costly structure we this day commemorate, is replete with encouragement and instruction. Sir, let us for a moment suppose that the Municipal Legislature after incur- ring a heavy debt, had, in a moment of prejudice, passion, or fear, before the completion of the aqueduct, suspended its further construction. Could we imagine a spectacle more degrading than the dismembered work lying in fragments throughout its length of forty miles, from the Croton "Lake to the confines of the city ? Who could then be found " so poor to do it reverence," and who so sternly virtuous, as to submit without complaint, to the taxation which such folly would render necessary ? Let us then adopt as a cardinal maxim in the conduct of these great enterprises, that benefits must be made to keep pace with burthens ; in a word, that works once commenced, must be steadily and perseve- ringly prosecuted, and we afford the surest guarantee for the preservation of public faith. The Croton aqueduct is but one of many works of physical improvement, constituting portions of an extensive system, commenced in a season of great prosperity, and all like this tending to develope the resources and promote the honor and welfare of the country. Why is it, that while public confidence has forsaken all others, it has crowned the con- summation of this ? Can the cause be mistaken ? Is it not that enlightened forecast, and steady, unflinching perseverance have carried this work to its destined end? The min- gled emotions of pride and joy which have filled the bosoms of the vast multitudes this day assembled, afford but a foretaste of the feeling which will be kindled when our whole system of public works shall be brought into beneficial operation. With this bright exam- ple to encourage and lead us onward, shall we be told that we have not the ability to pro- ceed further ? Away, then, with unmanly despondency ! Our State possesses resources and revenues, sure and unfailing, equal to the support of her government and the payment of all her existing debts — and I here proclaim, that without embarrassment, or cause for embarrassment, she could with the expenditure of a sum but little exceeding that which the city of New York has expended on this aqueduct, complete to the utmost mile, all her unfinished canals and railroads. If the city, with three hundred and twelve thousand inhabitants, can expend on a single undertaking twelve millions of dollars, cannot the State of New York, with two and a half millions of people, and comprehending within its limits this very city, sustain the further burthen of seventeen millions, required to finish works now in progress ? The proposition demonstrates itself. We want only time, and not much of that. Let us dispel, then, the clouds which obscure our vision, look at the brightening sky and put forth every energy and submit to every burthen, even to each citizen's taking the spade in his own hands to complete the New York and Erie, and the • » 304 CELEBRATION OF THE New York and Albany Rail Roads, the two unfinished lateral Canals, and the enlarge, ment of the Erie Canal. One more reflection and I shall have done. This aqueduct, like all our other public works, was undertaken not only for the present but for the future. Its capacity is graduated not to supply the wants of the present population of the city, but to meet the exigencies of the million, who, within half a century may be congregated upon Manhattan Island. Shall that million be allowed to plant here their hopes and their homes ? That result depends on the completion of the public works of this State, and those of the communities with which we are connected. There are other Atlantic ports besides New York, other Rivers besides the Hudson, other Canals and Rail Roads besides our own, other govern- ments besides the City Councils I address, and the Legislature of our State ; and although the trade of the continent now flows in our channels, it has not worn them so deeply that it may not yet be diverted. Believe me, fellow-citizens, that I speak for no temporary effect and with no personal motive. I have reason to love the State of New York, not merely like all her sons, but I owe