The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-10-18
OUR C0UNTRY--PAST, PRESENT AND
.EoIg ~ -if FUTURE

OUR CoUNTRY--PAST, PRESENT AND
.Ho1g ~ FUTURE. s
The following brilliant picture is not too highly
painted, in our opinion; il represents no more than
the child born to-day will surely realize before he
runs the allotted three score years aud ten" We
clip from the Charleston Mercury: 49,
THE UNITED STATES A CoNTINENT.-Com-
ing events are said TO cast their shadows before Is
not this the care in relation TO the vast and almost
indefinite expansion of our republic Of copfedera-
ted States, blended into one mighty nation for
great and mighty purposes and yet preserving their
separate identity in reference to local aid domes-
tic affarsi When we emerged from our colonial
state, through war of revolution peril and suf-
fering, into the Triumphant condition of national
independence, we numbered but thirteen States,
with a population of but three millions, and owned
territory encompassed by the stormy Atlantic Oh
the east the father OF rivers on the west, the great
lakes on the north, and foreign power OF the
south, bordering the Mexican Cult and command
ing the mouth of the Mississippi the great outlet
of our western commerce. In less than seventy
years with what giant strides have we marched to
strength and greatness! Our northern and eastern
boundaries remaining as they were, in the great
outlines impressed by the hand OF nature, the ac-
QUESTION of Louisiana and Florida. obtained by
peaceful negotiation and purchase, has given US
the mouth of the Mississippi, and the secure natn
raj boundary of the Gulf of Mexico; and both
maritime discovery and exploration by land and rv-
er have yielded US title to transcend the Rocky
Mountains aud claim the vast Pacific as our wes-
tern boundary. Recent negotiations, too, has ad-
ded to our already vast domain the fair aud fertile
plains Of Texas, peopled with those who are bone
OF our bone and flesh of flesh, our kindred and
brethren in blood and Institutions
The original number of our sister republics--the
glorious old Thirteen which blazed IN ernblematic
and starry efulgence on our revolutionary banner,
are more than double in number--our territory has
expanded in yet larger ratio, until laved by two
oceans, aud as well by the Southern Gulf, as the
vast island seas Of the north--and our population
has swollen in sevenfod increase from three to
perhaps twenty-one millions! Corresponding loo.
has been our progression in all the elements of ma
Gona greatness and renown, and the former col
ONES OF England now rank in the national scale
with the mightiest powers of the earth, and will not
shun comparison with the mother country, from
(which they wrested their independence. Our pop.
0lston continues to increase in the history of the
past, and new States continually crowd Oh the field
and heighten the lustre of our star-spangled ban
ner. Blessed, too, are we with political consti-
t,,;th pisd, and
skill, that it seems capable OF expansion, IN well
balanced rule over at least all contiguous territory
being so admirably constructed and exquisitely
poised that, according to Mr.. Jefferson. every new
State added to our republican family at once in
-creases our national power, and YIELDS the more
securely our nalional Unonas,to to use his own idea,
in of domestic discussion, there will only be
the greater number of sound States to face the dis
affected ones. Who then can set bounds to our
territorial expansion, short of the continent on
which our destination il cast--what earthly power
shall say to us, so far shalt thou go and no farh
err" within that ample area! Coming events cast
their shadows before! Louisiana is ours, Florida
is ours, Texas is ours the Oregon must be ours,n
undated 10 the course of nature, by the advancing
tide ofour population. Mexico threatens a war,
which will provoke, il not invite her annexaton--
Canada will in due season fall like ripe fruit into
our lap-and all the rest will then follow of course,
till the Ishmus of Darien form our equinocial and
the Arctic sea our polar boundary; Coming events
cast their shadows before! Time was when our
republic, although far short of her now colossal
proportions, was deemed already too vast and un-
wieldy for one government it was thought
the far west would naturally and necessarily fake
off and form an independent empire--or when at
least the national capitol must tower on the Mis-
souri, instead of the Potomac. to prevent our over
grown Republic from breaking into fragments. An
such fears and speculations are now as tale that
is old. as legend Of the past The discovery and
The railway, aud the locomotive, to say nothing of
atmospheric pressure, and the electro magnetic
power, pregnant with mighty issues; and above
all, the invention of the magnetic telegraph. able
10 flash intelligence With the speed of lightning
from ocean to ocean. and pole to Enthusiastically
annihilating distance. and bringing every part Of
our vast repobc practically INTO juxtaposition;
seem to be the appointed means and appliances in
the hands OF woodworking Providence, to effect
the expansion Of republic, until the whole con.
tinent Of North America shall rejoice in our free
institutions and form one vast and enlightened ma
ton; destined perhaps. TO play mighty and bles-
sed part in the miliewsial consummation. .devoutly
to be wished, when universal shall be the reign of
peace on earth and good will towards men.