The native American., 1840-03-14
From The Young Nuns .aid, By The Rep. Mr.. Wmslov.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF YOUNG MEN.

On looking at orr country and IFS prospec-
tive influence upon the world, the first fact that
strikes MS is the unparalleled rapidity of its
1t doubles once in twenty years.
At has more than doubled twicesnce the Revo-
luton. AT this rate, i'll only one century from
this time, our collntrywill contain fvehundred
millions .t;ilhabltuts which is half the
present population Of the whole globe. II no
unforeseen disaster betalls us, we see no reason
for believing TINT this immense increase OF
population wTA be actually realized. Dur
ing the last half century it has not been abated,
but has steadily advanced, and the resources
OF our country are amply sufficient for even
twice the number contemplated
La the meantime. China, India, and most of
the older and ripper kingdoms Of the eastern
henisphcre arc nearly stationary; and there
are physica! us well rs political and moral
causes, which must hold the great empire of
Russia, in respect to the increase of her po-
pnlation, far i'll the rear of America. These
facts show us, with what surprising rapldity
we are gaining numerical sScendency over the
other nations Of the globe.
Look now at the physical resources of this
country Presenting all eastern and southern
coast to The Atlantic and the Gulf Of Mexico,
Va MUG 't!tIl IVY titH@ittli uliiCS, ltldtiltCu
with numerous bays and harbors and afford
ing the outlets 10 more than a.hundred navl-
gable rivers some Of which are the noblest
that ever flowed ;--stre,c!ling thence to the
west three thousand miles, across the great
American conttnent to receive the salutatlons
| OF the Pacific Ocean, and to present another
coast for the commerce of the old world 5
extending through all the most valuable va
rieties Of cline, in thirty degrees of latitude,
| from the burning to the irig i'd zoncs, aud con
tanning nearly two millions of square miles; :
having u bright and salubrious sky afford
ing soil SURPASSED by none for the variety
and abundance of it's productions ;--contaIn
ing numerous inland lakes Of unequalled size
and beatty, and courscd by innumerab|e RI
vers in every direction, thus conveying to its
very centre all The privileges Of free inter-
course with the whole commercial world 5
is it not clearly destined - become the richest,
greatest, most powerful and influential nation
upon the earth
| Look next at the entefprising chardcte,
Of its inha5itaats. Every desert is in the
progress OF being explored; every mountain
is scaled every forest is subdued every ri
yer is laid under contribution to commerce
or manufactures; by the force of unparalleled
enteruise, the deepestand most desolate wilder
ness is beginning to bud and blossom as tn
rose the interior lakes and streams are con
verted into highways, to bear off the superb
bundant productions of our own soil to foreigl
ports, ard bringing back, in return, the pro
ductons of other clilnes ; where nature ha
failed to cast mp highway, invention arc
industry are constructing canals and rail roads
tbo ~
hills are made low, tllecrooked is madestraght,
and the rough places plain; on every hand.
us by enchantment, large villages and cities
once the work of a century, now spring up in
less than half a score of years; states and
Territories are yearly added to the nation, and
, alb the treasures of invention, art industry,
and wealth, are borne upon the mighty wave
! Of population, that is constantly rolling farth-
er and wider over this vast continent.
Cast your eye, then, forward only one cen,
fury, aud see what this country will probably
be in respect to physical greatness am,
strength, and what may be made i'll respect t..
moral elevation and influence. At the present
rate, speculation will be five hundred millions
or half the population Of the globe. This
vast number of inhabitants will be spread
over the whole breadth of the American con-
Itinent, from sen to sea and nearly the same
distance from south tonorth covering the nl-
nense asna Of ncarIy two millions of square
niies. The commerce of our country will
visit al! tiie cIimcs, whiten all the waters, and
salute all the potts upon the globe. Our
resources of wealth. and all the means of
physical suppo,ta and comfort, will be common
suratc with our numbers
This, say, is what may be realized; and
it is what ;cW be realized, at least in some
good dec. zee, if we are true TO our duty and
or Interest Aud when we trace the move
ments OF Providence towards this country,
from lis first settlements to the present mo-
mcnt VIXEN we eye the hand that planted
the grain n musurhsecd, and that has alrca-
dy nonrishod it up to a great tree; can we
doubt whether il is the pleasure Of God, that
this nation should, if faithful TO her high trust,
becon,e the most important and effectual means
Of salvation to thc whole world ?
Think, then, for one solemn moment, with
in Il quarter of a century, all these immense
interests will be under the control and direc-
ton OF those who are now called Il YOUNG