Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-07
pIoration Of the whole northwest coast

piOrdtiOh Oh tue Wuoie SOuse
of this Continent.
The establishment Of an uniform
standard Of weights and measures
was one ofthe specific objects contem-
plated in the formation Of our Consti-
tuition, and to fix that standard was one
Of the powers delegated BY express
terms, in that instrument, to Congress
The governments of Great Britain
and France have scarcely ceased to be
occupied with inquiries and specula-
tons on the same subject, since the
existence of ourconstitu ton, and with
them it has expanded into profound,
laborious, and expensive researches
into the figure Of the earth, and the
comparative length of the pendulum
vibrating seconds in various ATTITUDES
from the Equator to the Pole. These
researches have resulted in the compo-
sition and publication of several works
highly interesting TO the cause of sci
ence. The experiments are yet in the
process of performance Some OF
them have recently been-made on our
own shores, within the walls of our
own Colleges, and part'yby one of our
own fellow-citizens Itwould be hon.
orable 10 our country if the sequel OF
the same experiments should be coun.
tenanceL by the patronage of our go
yernment, as they have hitherto been
by those Of France ard Britain
Connected with the establishment Of
a University, or separate from it, might
be undertaken the erection of an astro-
nomical observatory, with provision for
the support Of an astronomer, to be in
constant attendance Of observation up
on the phenomena Of the heavens; and
for the periodical publication of his OBJ
servations. 1t is with no feeling OF
pride, as an American, that the remark
may be made, that on the comparative
ly small territorial surface of Europe,
there are existing upwards of one hun
dred and thirty of these lighthouses Of
the skies, while throughout the whole
American hemisphere, there is not one.
If we reflect moment upon the disco
veries, which, in the last four centuries,
have been made in the physical consti-
tuition Of the universe, by the means of
these Buildings, and OF observers sta
toned in them, shall we doubt Of their
usefulness to every nation? And while
scarcely year passes over our heads
without bringing some new astrono-
mical discovery to light, which we
must feign receive at second hand from
Europe, are we not cutting ourselves
off from the means Of returning light
for light, while we have neither obser-
vatory nor observer upon our half OF
the globe, and the earth revolves in per-
petual darkness 10 our unsearching
eyes?
When, on the 25th of October, 1871,
the first President Of the United States
announced to Congress the result Of
the first enumeration Of the inhabitants
Of this Union, he informed them that
the returns gave the pleasing assurance
that the population ofthe United States
bordered on four millions Of persons.
At the distance Of thirty years from
that time, the last enumeration, FIVE
years since completed, presented pc
pulation bordering upon ten millions.
Perhaps, of all the evidences Of pros
porous and happy condition Of human
society, the rapidity of the increase OF
population is the most unequivocal.-
But the demonstration of our pros,e-
rity rests not alone upon this indica-
ton. Our commerce, our wealth, and
the extent of our territories, have in
creased in corresponding proportions /;
and the number Of independent COM
munities associated with our Federal
Union, has, since that time, nearly
doubled. The legislative representa-
ton of the States and people, in the
two Houses of Congress, has grown
with the growth Of their constituent
bodies. The house which ,hen con-
sisted Of IS members, now numbers
upwards of TWO hundred. The Senate
which consisted Of twenty-six men,
bers, has now forty-eight. But the Ex-
ecutive, and still more the Judiciary
Departments, are yet in great mea-
sure confined TO their primitive organi-
cation, and are now not adequate 10
the urgent wants Of still growing
community
The naval ornaments which at an
early period forced themselves upon
the necessities of the Union, soon led
to the establishment of Department,
of the Navy. But the Department of
Foreign Affairs, and of the Interior,
which, early after the formation OF the
government had been united in one,
continue so united at this time, to the
unquestionable detriment Of the public
service. The multiplication of our re-
lations with the nations and govern.
ments Of the old world, has kept pace
with that Of our population and COM
merce, while within the last ten years
a new family Of nations, in our own
bar>;e,nere has arisen among the IN