Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-07-15
FROM N. D. JEFFERooNIAN.
The Great WeSt-0ur Country and its Pros
poets.

"We cannot fortify the atlantic Ocean
The utmost IRE can do, IS to become
FORMIDABLE TO THE WESTWARD.
This is one of the most striking senti-
ments ever uttered by an American states.
man. 1t fell from the prophetic lips of
PArR1CK HENRY, in 1878, in the Conven-
ton of Virginia assembled to deliberate on
tho odonrion of the federal constitution.
II embraces, in a few words, not only the
creed of the democratic party but the true
solution OF the great enigma of our nation
al progress. The influence of this senti
ment may be traced in all the important
movements OF our government, Wash
ington conceived it, when he made his sol
itary expedition, by command of Lord Dun.
more, 10 the Ohio river. Ithas been prac
ticaly carried out IN every treaty made
with the Indians. Virginia and North
Carolina had it in view, when they issued
their military land warrants at the close of
the revolution, thus colonizing Tennessee,
Kentucky and Ohio. The persevering
negotiations Of the Federal Government
for the exclusive navigation OF the Missis-
sippi, show that the great maxim of Henry
was never lost sight of, and Mr.. Jefferson
acted upon it when, by master stroke of
diplomacy, he wrested Louisiana from the
miser grippe Of Napoleon. The great ex-
petition OF Lewis and Clarke to the sources
of the Missouri and the mouth of the Co
Iumbia, was part and parcel OF the same
policy.
The Presumption System of Andrew
Jackson-a marked and distinctive TEA
ture of the democratic party and the wisest
and most benefcent OF all its measures was
framed upon the injunction Of the Virginia
orator, to make ourselves formidable in the
West. 1t is the great and only true prn.
ciple of successful colonization, and is
peculiar TO the United States. The i'm
mense land grants of Spain, the feudal con-
Cession of France, and the proprietary
character of England, locked up millions
of acres, fostered monopolies and were in
theory and effect radically defective. But
the principle of sub-divding the country
into small tracts, and :hen conceding the
first choice to the enterpriSing setter--Dot
rendering him BENEFICIARY and depen-
dant, but offering a ust inducement for
labor and enterprise, has achieved mira
CeS in The extension of civilization and
the progress of empire. Missouri, Indiana,
Illinois, the upper territories and the South
western Safes, owe their unparalleled
strides 10 opulence and population more
to this than any other cause. The demo-
cratic party early perceived It's abstracI
Justice and salutary operation, and sieadl.
ly adhered TO it, until it has become engraf-
ted upon the creed OF that party, and is, in
truth, il the far-streching west, its main
resource and support. The pre- emption
system, insignificant as the hut of The set
tier may seem, practically realizes the
fable of Midas. 1t turns every thing into
gold. 1t scatters roses over the wilderness.
1t created mighty States in the dim aud
dusky west 1t stocked them with men
who were foremost in battle on the frozen
wales of Canada, and who afterwards, in
the same spirit planted with their hands
and baptsed with their blood the star. gem
med banner Of a maiden republic!
The graduation and reduction of the
price of the public domain, is the great
step to make us formidable IN the West
Millions of acres have been ia market for
long term Of years unsold, yielding nc
revenue to The State or Federal govern
ments. At the present rates, they vii
remain uncutivaIed. The cost of survey
has long since been paid. Reduce the
price 10 ten cents per acre. Give every
man a stake in the soil. Cluster arount
him the endearments of home; and yol
bind him in an allegiance stronger than
thousand oaths. Every acre brought int
cultivation adds so much to the aggregate
wealth, and to the means of national de
fence.
The Oregon policy Of the present ad
ministrarion, and the great event for whic
it is preparing beyond the Rio Grande, ar
illustrations, on grand scale, OF Henry
celebrated maxim, make ourselves formula
BILE in the West! This is the great Amer
can motto. It should be stamped on on
national coinage. Amidst the strife an
vicIssitudes Of party, it has never been for
gotten. Under its inspiration, as If b
magic, cities have Ieaped up in the frown
ing wilderness. Great agricultural con
muniiies occupy the haunts of the nomadl
tr. bes. States have been created NOR
nower(ul than the world ever knew be
fore because possessing within themselve
all The means of subsistence, and remove
from the possibility of invasion, though
enjoying all the advantages OF interl0
navigation.
This great empire of the West, stretch
ing along the Ohio. the Missouri, and tn
upper Mississippi, is, in this point of view
a historical phenomenon Its insulate
position, its vast distance from the sea, W
direct communication with it, IFS teemIn