Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-10-02
WILMINGTON AND CHARLESTON.

CIV OF a Kali hOaO connection DetWeel LHcSe
two places, have made their report. 1t occu-
pies about two columns of the Courier. They
think it inexpedient for the citizens of Charles
ton to take any immediate action, and recon-
mend, when the necessity does arise, that the
lower route via Georgetown direct, being most
strongly identified with the interests of Charles
ton, should be the one adopted We Of Will
mington, cannot perceive the force of the rea-
soning, by which the Committee arrive at the
conclusion that the present mode of communi
cation is amply sufficient. Perhaps when
Charleston finds herself completely cut out OF
the track of travel by the erection of a Road
through the upper districts towards Manches-
ter, she will learn that no line of packets will
supply the deficiency. The necessity for
acton'' VIII then have rived, indeed but it
will be too late to atone for the error of pres
ent omission 1t becomes us, under these cir
cumstances, to- place our sole reliance for CO.
operation upon the citizens of the upper dis
tricts. These people seem to be in earnest,
and every nerve should be strained to keep
alive their present wholesome activity, and to
redeem the pledges we have given them.
1t is surprising to reflect upon the vast chan
ges which have taken place of late years, not
only in the physical characteristics, but IN the
moral temperament of whole nations. The
march of Science seems to have been every
where attended by the elevation of the masses.
1t may admit of question whether the human
years, has made any progress as an aggregate;
the Vance has been more of the individu-
ais of the community, than of the commu-
nifty itself This would seem to imply sole
cism, but there being limits to the extent of
human knowledge, we may yet move in a cir
Gle, although the number may be increased by
whom it is composed We very much ques-
ton, whether, for instance, there has been
any new departments OF human knowledge
opened. Take any of the inventions of mo-
dern times; the application of steam, the in
vention Of printing, the discovery of the tele-
scope, and the thousand Other - s1lur' '"~l~''
winch nave marked our age. These were the
simple application of already existing ele
ments Were we to be called up to fix a
limit for civilization and knowledge to the
ancient philosophers, statesmen and poets, it
must be that we still must look. Who stands
higher in the ranks of literary men than Ba-
con And the writings of Addison and John
son still afford the scholar a model Justly wor-
thy of imitation.
Where will we find any advance in Soup
ture or the Fine Arts The paintings of the
old churches of Italy are yet The model of the ar
fist, and the sculptor still gazes with admira-
ton upon the classic temples and statuary OF
ancient Greece Homer and Shakespeare, each
in his department, have exhausted their seve-
raj subjects. For every new art or invention,
intended to promote the happiness, improve
ment or elevation of mankind, history will tell
of one equally valuable that has been lost
. There has been no progress of the race cores
ponding to that of the individual. At the We.
ry moment when we hear most about the i'm
provement of the age, the march of science
: the progress of intelligence, and other equally
popular subjects; while we witness the as
tonishing changes which their combination
has created mankind seem still to be cropping
! about in a circle, precisely where we stood
centuries ago, except that to continue the fl
CURE, the circle seems more brilliant about the
S centre. Greatmen are no longer seen but on thu
edges, nor stand they like beacons on a Ions
shore, without which we would run int
r shoaly waters; they are not SO far apart a
e formerly. AS the race advances, instances o
u illustrious superiority must become less fire.
;, quent, for the nearer we approach the limit,
i being assumed that there is one, the less room
= there will remain.
n But who can reflect upon the astonishin,
+ improvement of the great mass of the people
II and their extraordinary elevation in all the ell
i ements of moral and social excellence, withou
l. feeling his heart swell with grateful emotion
a Less than two centuries ago, the people wer
n regarded as the mere instruments of power, G
i the legitimate prey of any fortunate adventu
at rer. Men of like qualities with themseve'
% were invested with the attributes OF divin
right, and frequently their elevated positio
but exposed them in still greater degree I
the inherent vices of our nature. To-da,
~ through the universal spread of Democrat
o principles, the same great body are the recos
3. nized source of all power, and their comic
IN and prosperity, the acknowledged object of a
v good government. In all countries, for goo
II or for i'll, do they now, in different forms, g
vern themselves. What though it is the Co
gress in America and the Parliament in En-
at land: Both are in very nearly the same
ne gree responsible for the abuse of their tru:
A. The one may be checked by the power of Il
SIS ballot-box. The other feels equally restrain
I'M by the majesty of public opinion. How II
u cessary, then. to one who reflects rightly, do
.. it seem that those whose duty it is to sta
c.: as sentinels on the watch tower, and who
all warning is seldom unheard, to whom, on ey
ry occasion, men look for counsel and exal
pie, should show by their conduct consta
~ purity of motive, and an adherence to prin
oh pie that scorns to be directed or influenced
m. unworthy or selfish considerations!
Among the elements of this public opinie