I hold this character up as American, for good and sufficient reasons; first, because American institutions are those which encourage its developement and demand its exercise; secondly, because America has produced its model in a greater degree than any other nation that now exists, or that ever has existed. I have said that in this model of American character, man is presented in his excellence as a social character, as a patriot, and as a Christian. And here I ought to say that in its entire perfection this character may never be exhibited in imperfect human nature. But I may speak of the character in its perfection, and I may hold it up in its beauty before the American youth for their imitation. Let perfection be the model, and perfection the aim of the youthful mind, and then labor for success in the application of your motto: “_Let him wear the palm who wins it._” My young friends, you appear before me to-day as a representative portion of the American youth; and as such I would hold up the model character to your view. And I would that I could hold it up, in its proper light, before the youth of every part of our country. I would that I could so present it that the American boy might see it in its beauty, and be encouraged to pursue it as the highest object of his ambition. I present for your consideration, for your study, and for your imitation, MAN IN THE DOMESTIC CIRCLE, A SOCIAL BEING; MAN IN THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL LIFE, A PATRIOT; AND MAN, IN THE SERVICE OF HIS GOD, A CHRISTIAN. And it is in regard to this social and religious character especially that I spoke of the Greeks and Romans as being deficient. The domestic altar, and the altar of religion among those renowned nations having been absorbed in the altar of patriotism, of course, like every thing else, they were tributary to it. And therefore almost their entire character, certainly their character in its efficiency, was developed in the exhibition of the patriot. In the pursuit of my purpose I will now show you, in a very brief manner, MAN IN HIS SOCIAL CHARACTER. And to look on him in this character, you must turn with me to the domestic circle, and you must see him at the fire-side and in society. And in the domestic circle you behold the man with father, mother, brothers, sisters, and friends around him. To be happy with them, and that they may be happy with him, he must be THE DUTIFUL AND OBEDIENT SON; THE FOND AND AFFECTIONATE BROTHER; THE FIRM AND UNWAVERING FRIEND.