Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-08-18
The Extension Of cur Empire Westward

The progress of our settlements towards
the WEST. marks one tendency which
seems destined 10 full consummation, in
spite of all accidents or disturbing con,n-
gences. In prosperity or adversely. in
pence or 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 occupied
territory. Yet we gain empire not by sub
iuga,ing other nations, but by conquerng
nature. The axe and the plough, not the
: i ~.ssd aud our
victories achieved. The following pas
sage from a speech of Mn. CALHOUN on
the Oregon bill, during the late session, in
the Senate, presents striking view of the |
astonishing progress of this republic:
ain the period of 80 years which have
elapsed since took my seat in The other
House, the Indian frontier has receded a
thousand miles to the West. AT that time
our populolion was much less than halt
what it is now. l. then increased at the
rate of about a quarter OF million annual
ly; il is now increasing notless than 6OO,-
600, and still increasing at the rate OF
something more than three per cent. com.
pound annually. AT that rate 1t will soon
reach the yearly increase of million. 1t
10 This be added that the region west of
Arkansas and the State of Missouri, and
south of the Missouri river, is occupied by
half civilized tribes, who have their lands
secured 10 them by treaty, and which will
prevent the spread of population in that
direction, and that this great and increas>
ing tide will be forced to take the compar-
atiyely narrow channel 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 the eastern gorges of the Rocky
Mountains. | say some conception, Tor !
feel assured that the reality will outrun the
anticipation. In illustration, will repeat
what stated when first addressed the
Senate on this subject. As wise and ex-
perienced as was President Monroe as
much as he had witnessed the growth OF
the country III his. time, SO adequate was
his conception VI 10 i"Piuisys 'h"' e'SS' s'o
close of his administrator, in the year
1924, he proposed TO colonise the INDIANS
of New York, and those north of the Ohio
liver and coast Of the Mississippi, in what
is now called the Wisconsin Territory,
under the impression that it was a portion
of our territory SO remote that they would
not be disturbed by our increasing popula-
ton for long time to come. It's now
but eighteen years since, and already, IN
tina. short period, il is a great and fiour>
ishing Territory, ready to knock at our
door for admission as one of the sovereign
members OF the Union. But what IS still!
more striking what is really wonderful
and almost :niraculous-is that another
Territory, Qowa,) still further West be-
yond the Mississippi, has sprung up as #
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 at the COM
pound rate it is-and such the impetus
with which ii is forcing its way reslstless
westward. 1t will soon. far sooner than
is anticipated, reach the Rocky Mountains
and be ready to pour into the Oregon Ter
rltory."
The Cincinnati Republican has been sos-