The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-01-29

lady, as proper food for the American mind or ne
who undertakes to master the workings Of the In.
stuons of great nation, and strives TO understand
their influences upon the masses, and their bearing
upon civilization itself
Our political and religious institutions, every fea
ture Of our national character, the whole structure
OF our social system, our strength and our weak
ness, all have been repeatedly scrutlnized by some
of the most powerful minds OF Europe, and the in
formation thus obtained has been used to guide for
egn nations in their policy towards US. That Cath
Ollie movement which is now directing Its mighty
energies upon u.s. is the result Of long, earnest, mi
mute and intelligent study OF America. Where has
been the corresponding action on our part! We
can, general hear OF every thing IN Europe soon
than the real state and feelings OF the people, and
the actual working OF despotism upon the mass OF
men. We deem that man engaged IN truly ma
tional work we consider that he is adding to our
our means of defence and safety in any
possible conflict, who goes forth to subject European
governments TO the rigid scrutiny and freedom
of remark with which our own has been visited.
Now it is apparent to any one who will trouble
himself TO think, that the grand leading purpose oil
the volumes under review, indicates largeness OF
that observes details only to reach
the principles IN which they are bound, the laws by
which they are controlled.
II shows an earnest soul, questioning events as
they pass, and sivng to decypher the signs OF the
times in reference TO the destiny OF man. he asks
of the institutions of England, what is your true
signiication, what is that fact which you exhibit,
what have you done, and when your task Is finish
ed, what will the world gave gained!
We take these to be among the mightiest and
sternest questions Of this or any other age and we
think il speaks well for the Intellectual power and
taste OF any man. that he should attempt to deal with
such themes rather than stand with pencil in hand
and open mouth to record the frivolous movements
OF titled fashion and wealthy folly 1t Is, we sup
pose conceded by philosophic observers, that chris
tendon is now moving onward BY the same general
impulse in one direction, and that this impulse is
only modified, not destroyed by the peculiar circum-
stances of individual nations. The tribes and ia.
miles of man are sweeping on in solemn process
sion toward some common destiny. In this stu.
pendous march, England occupies the first rank
On her, the influences Which make up the sum Of
civilization are strongest, and she has shot ahead
She is nearest the goal On her gigantic front, the
light from the future throws the strongest glare.
She is the exponent Of that system, which has
hitherto guided modern Europe, and in great de-
gree, the world; and from her. if any where he is to
get knowledge OF the vast journeys end and alm-
That is solemn task then which he assumes, who
goes to question the great fieeader of the world,
as to whether she is ending the human race, and
who strives TO interpret the fearful inscription,
which the finger Of destiny is writing upon the walls
OF her strength In the purport OF this handwriting
all should feel the intensest interest, for it must be
stamped upon the forefr mt OF every native, when
it has reached that point In the journey where Eng
land is standing now.
There are, evidently two great forces, whose
Joint power felt upon all christian society, which
have all burst beyond the limits OF civilization and
beginning to energze in the great deeps OF the
heather world.
One of these is far mightier than the other. The
one is the gospel, awakening man every where to
the consciousness Of his value and rights, as a
being who is bound to submit to injustice and OPP
preston only till he gathers strength to right the
wrong and shake the oppressor from him.
The gospel by the resistless energy Of its great
principles OF liberty, and by insisting upon the digni
ty and worth OF the individual man, has opened
a new world to the millions of christendorn, and
the thunder of their marchas they 60 up to pos
sess it, makes the solid globe to quake. This I'M
pulse is universal the same IN kind every where,
though not In degree. BY II, the nations are all I'M
PEELED in one general direction towards a land OF
PROMISE not yet distinctly seen, but hoped for with
yearning hearts. This, we believe, Is the grand
movement of earth, which will ultimately sweep all
things into its own mighty stream
Secondly, the force Of human institutions, and
Inventions governments, science, arts, the CONNER
clal and manufacturing systems OF the world. These
things are not the causes OF the progress OF society.
Some of them are the effects of the general move
ment some are the instruments with which the
great spirit Of reform Is working, and some are bar
rlers against which the broad stream is dashng its
angry surges. England, borne ahead in spite OF
herself is struggling to check, control, and annihl.
the secondary force Of her institutions and she points
the world to those institutions, containing the ee
ments of perfect social state. She invites the eager
millions to halt and adopt her system and restin that
as the ultimate attainment Oh IdCc ~
the world then, but more especially u.s. to ascertain
whether by the power Of government or any force at
her command, she has checked, or can ultimately
arrest the vast procession OF two hundred and nifty
millions of men already on their glad way, while the
seven hundred and fifty millions from pagan lands
are Just beginning TO wheel into their rear We are
also bound to ask England: what exactly Is the state
to which your place of rghtng mans wrongs has
brought you already!
If your political state exhibits paradise regained,
then hall tho ahO NJ thous mill
round the world hail you as the great deverer and
teacher of man, and you shall be crowned as potl-
cal prophet and king Of nations.
Hin answer to our inquiry Great Britain invites US
government and social state which are, indeed, a
+" marvel and show" There is wealth that sur
passes the exaggeration Of fable there Is power such
as the Cesars never possessed, and magnifcence
There's an Intellectual power and cultivation to
which the world offers no parallel, there are rea-
sures of learning such other nation has gather
ed there Is commerce to which every country
and people under heaven are tributary there are laws
which serve az models for the codes OF the world.
There too, is the last and greatest under earth, the
English workshops, where in the narrow compass
Of her small island, she is yearly performing what
the hands OF the whole human race could not exc
cute There are the huge engines with the strength
If hundred leviathans, obedient to the will the
touch OF child, which never weary in their course,
nor faint in their wat.hes," working as if by en-
chantment approaching to the very borders OF the
miraculous.
There's home dominion where the whole island
s as a garden, and possessions wherever the sun
beams fall-wherever the waters flow, the tread OF
ler egions is all lands, the clang Of her armor
rings round the globe.
But let US look beneath the surface, and behind
he scenes. There goes a magnificent steamer,
alden with the rich products Of her busy looms,
which she bears against the breath ofthe winds,
and the rush Of the tides. IT'S the last wonderful
triumph of civilization. II were well, perhaps, to
ook at the means by which her fire-lungs are sup
,lied with breath You have only to 60 down few
hundred feet into the bowels of the earth, through
hat narrow opening, which is the portal to the
grave Of the living. Shudder not, as you enter,
here is much human flesh and blood very far below
you. Descend and look around, by the dim can
He's light-ry to pierce the gloom OF those narrow
galleries, and you shall behold very strange things.
On yonder heap of wet Goals lies a naked infant,
hree years old, begrimmed with coa-dust and
mud, asleep, not from the fatigue Of play, but Of Ia
'or, pale and haggard from very exhaustion. That
niant, on its little shoulders and totering limbs,
must bear rart Of the burtben Of the British CO.