The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-04-15
THE EXTENSION or OUR EMPIRE
WESTWARD.

The progress Of cur settlements tc-
wards tho West marks one tendency
which seems destined to full consum
nation in spite all accidents or disturbing
contingencies. prosperity or adversely
IN peace OF war, with good policy To bless
us or with bad to bring disasters, the
steady advance Of our Western frontier
keeps on towards the Pacific. Every year
adds something TO the extent of our oc-
cupicd territory. Yet we gain empire
not by suhiugaliug other nations but 10y
conquerlng nature. The axe and the
plough, not the cannon and the sword
are the weapons with which our warfare
is waged and our victories achieved. The
following passage from a speech by Mr.
Calhoun on the Oregon bill, during the
late session OF the Senate, presents a slrik
ng view of the astonishing progress o.
the Republic:
SIN the period of lhirty-two years
which have elapsed since took my scat
in the other house, the Indian frontier has
receded a thousand miles to the west. Al
that time, our population was much less
than hall II is now. 1t was then ncreas-
ing at the rate Of about quarter of mil
lion annually; it is now not less than six
hundred thousand, and still increasing at
the rate Of something more than three per
cent compound annually. AT that rate,
it will soon reach the yearly increase ola
million, If TO this be added, that the re-
gion west of Arkansas and the state OF
Missouri, and south of the Missouri liver.
is occupied by hali-civlizcd tribes, who
have their lands secured to them by trca-
tv: and which will prevent the spread OF
population in that direction, and that this
great and increasing tide will be forced
to take the comparatively narrow chan
mel to the north of that river and south of
the northern boundary. some conception
may be formed Of the strength with which
the current will run in that direction, and
how soon it will reach Tie eastern gorges
OF the Rocky Mountains. say some
conception, for feel assured that the re-
ality will outrun the anticipation. In it,
lustralon, will repeat what stated when
first addressed the Senate on this sub
iuct. As wise and experienced as was
President Monroe-as much as he had
witnessed OF the growth of the country in
his time, so inadequate was his concep-
ton Of It's rapdjty, that near tie close of
his adm Imistration, in the wear 1924, he
proposed to colonise the Indians of New
York, and those north Of the Ohio river
and cast of the Mississippi, in what is now
called the Wisconsin territory. under the
impression that il was Il portion of our
territory so remote that they would not
lie disturbed by our increasing population
for Il long time to come. 1t is now but
eighteen years since. amd. already, in that
short period, it is a great and lourishing
territory, ready to knock at our door for
admission as one of the sovereign men,
beers Of the Union But what i: still NOV
ing strikng-what is really worderlul
aud almost miraculous. is that another
territory (lowa) STILL further west, be-
yond the Mississippi, La sprung up, as if
by magic, and has already outstripped
Wisconsin, and may knock for entrance
before she is prepared to do so! Such IS
the wonderful growth Of population
which has attained the number ours has.
and is still yearly increasing al the com
pound rate it is; aud such the impetus with
which il is forcing its way resislless west
ward, 1t will soon, far sooner than is
anticipated, reach the Rocky Mountains.
and be ready to pour into the Oregon
lerritory.'