The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-02-26

a subject matter vital to near one hall the States OF
This Conledercy, and which considering her m'a
~ position at Bermuda and her growing power in
the West Indies, is the last imporIanceto onr ma
tonul independence.
All these subjects make every question between
us, at this peculiar juncure, Of the deepest inter
est,
Besides this, we are both permanently destined
TO have, perhaps, the most extensive commerce oil
modern nations. Our flags float side by slde over
every sea, aud bay, and inlet of the known globe.
she moves steadily upon her objects with an
ambition that knows no bounds, And whnevCr she
has had conflict Of interest. she has rarely yielded
to any power.
! At this moment she presents the civilized world
the spectacle of the greatest military and CONNER
ciul power in combinations ever known
| From the vast possessions in every quarter oIlhc
ulobc. and her peculiar cOnmercml system, she
has been made the reservoir of the wealth Of NJ
tons.
Her internal resources, skill ,labour, and machl-
cry, with her capital are beyond calculation. Her
natural position, being about midway the coast IF
Europe, gives her great control oyerthe outlets and
currents of commerce,
Her military occupations Of Ghralter, Malta the
Ionian Islands, and recently ST. Jean d Acre, gre
her ascendoncy ON the Mediterranean and The Lev
ant. while St. Helena and the Cape of Good Hope
rive her possession over the currents of trade along
those extensive coasts, The Bombay, Calcutta,
md her immense possessions in the East Indies,
together with her recent movements in the China
seas and islands, enable her to extend her power
over those vast regions that have suubered for ages
in solitary and cncrvacd naginiliccuce She pls-
scsses Falkland Island but to control the cont
mcrcc that passes around Cape ilorn-whilc Irin-
dad gives her all she desires in the Caribbean sea.
| HalJar ut one yoiai, aud BermVda ut GHOihCr,
stand out in great force over our coast from one
extremity to the other.
Her positions all over the world ARE at this mo-
menl in military point Of view, equal to II million
ofmen under arms Her continual conflicts in the
mighty regions Of the East, only enable her officers
to become shilul aud to improve IN the art OF war,
while her great armies aud extensive fleets draw
THEN support from the immense countries seized and
occupied. In the present luncture OF affairs, no
statesman can overlook these things. Steam pow
cr has rcccnty brought us so near together, that in
the event ofuny further conflict, trar ~M It's Dcr's
will be prccipated upon Us with much more IA
pidity than formiy
Avarce and ambition are the ruling passions OF
modern times aud it is vain TO shut our eyes TO the
state of things around us. 1t remains 10 be seen
what effect steam power is to have upon chang
ug aud modifying the whole art Of defence and war.
Il may he a great engine for again leyeling ulan-
Kind, and reducing every thing to ccncs, olmcrc
physical force. In that even it might be difficult
to conjecture what system Of aotio1Gi G9eHce wiA
si0aG The test of time and experience
We have n deep stake in peace land iondIy hope
The rcposc Of the world will not be disturbed. We
have certainly not the last desire for any rupture.
l'lrmncss, and wise preparation, will long pre-
serve us from such catastrophe. But while ia
temptation should ever prompt Us TO do injustice
on the one hand, so no consideration, on the other
hand, should even induce Us to submit 10 pcrman-
cnr wrong from any power on earth, 10 matter
what the consequences may be.
Your committee would conclude by expressing
a firm belief lhatall our points Of difficulty may be
honorah!y and umirably udiuslcd,and tia, harmony
may long be preserved by both Governments pur-
suing liberal and generous policy, congcnia 10
the interests and feelings of both people, and COM
patibc with the spirit aud genius Of an enlightened
age.