The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-04-23
A Revolu,Ion In the United States.

"A hevOlutIOn In the united states.
We have the pleasure of informing our readers
that mighty and gigantic revolution has taken
place in the United States within few days,
the seeds of which, like those of the recent revo.
lutions in France and other parts of Europe,
were planted some time since, and have now
tally terminated and brought forth their fruit.
1t is not, however, revolution in which free
dom was arrayed against despotism, and mas
tered tin which down-trodden and overtaxed
people opposed themselves to an imbecile king
and a corrupt and profigate ministry, such as
the ex-kings of France and Prussia, and their re-
spective cabinets; but revolution of peace, of
art and of enterprise, conducted by the spade,
the plough, and the shovel, instead of muskets
and sabres; and the results of which will confer
benefits of very important nature, directly on
the people of the United States, and indirectly
on the whole civilized world. OF such charac-
ter is the revolution which has recently ia
ken place in the United States; and we take
pride In chronlcling it, and in setting it forth;
for with the revolutions that have taken place in
, Europe within the last few months, and others
which are almost as certain to follow as light
follows the rising of the sun, it is supposed that
we, in the United States, cannot get up a revolu.
ton at home here, on our own hook.
Such, however, Is the fact-we have, indeed,
accomplished a wonderful revolution-after
achieving our independence, and tearing our
rights from the very jaws of the lion. After ight
ing the good battle of the oppressed against the
oppressor, and achieving wonderful triumph, the
effects of which are now being felt at distance
of nearly four Thousand miles in the eastern
hemisphere, having no more to conquer from
man, we are bold enough to encounter nature
itself, and seek for and gain victory over her.
The war against her was declared, when the an
nouncement went forth that the waves of the
Mississippi, the great father of waters, and
those of the great inland seas, must, and of
right ought to be united. The work was COM
menced, and though long, arduous, and expen-
sive as was the contest-natare contestipg the
ground inch by inch-the victory was finally won,
and she forced to beat a retreat, or, to use
very expressive but homely expression, to ''ac-
knowledge the corn The work of connect
ing Lake Michigan with the Mississippi, was
indeed revolutien-a mighty and important
event-a truly American revoluton--commenced
peaceably, conducted step by step peaceaby, and
tending IN Its results to promote peace and its
handmade plenty. This is the only kind of re-
voution which the people of the United States
AovC any iSo5OA W CuSoSC III. W TIC
spirit which animated our revolutionary sires,
we are In the enjoyment of the largest and the
widest freedom. We have no cause to war
against the powers that be, to shoulder the mus
ket or rife to obtain the rights of freedom, and
drive monarchy from our land. The work was
accomplished by the men of ZIG, the chosen in
struments of a nations redemption, end oil that
left for to do is to preserve and improve the
heritage which they bequeathed, and the value
Of which every days experience is increasing.
The completion Of this grand work was duly
celebrated In Chicago, the most directly lnte-
rested city In the great work. From the Chica
60 Journal we take the following account of the
celebration of the completion of this great
work.
Yesterday WAS an eventful day in the history OF our
CITY, Of the state the West was the wedding Of
the Father a Rivers to inland union OF the
.nss a
bornagriculturs and general prosperity its increase
The nrst boat borne the Illinois canal passed safely
early hour ye.t.rsay AFTERNOON til. whole city was in
motion BY O'Clock, 1t seemed II the whole popua-
ton had been emptied down ct lock No. l. The splendid
machinery for pumping water into the canal, in
operation and examined with great satisfaction by
.su. xsou the GsH Fry move n
sight, upon the rbson like sheSS Of water, which
escort Dashed ladies' on hor.sbsoS snd
horsemento meet her as she came crowded to her
utmost, with ladies' and gentlemen from the interior.
At little after I'VE she the lock- when three
times three given for the boat and delegation
the bands striking up enlivsnipg airs she passed easily
oonns. through the mayor q tn. city Mr. aG0s
worth, extended to them cordial welcome, and spoke
ful accomplishment Of the great design and the nnal
completion Of the Illinois and Michigan Canal g. D.
short address was delivered BY Mr.. Chss. Walker, Of
Chicago. Tbs Gen Fry was then taken in TOW BY the
Ro:.tssr the I'm: bands board each boat struck up,
and they proceeded upon their winding way gar
den city The scene which was presented along the
whsrves was animated in the extreme At every point
a. the boats swept by and In the clear moonlight the
eject was beautiful As II to make the baptism COM
plsts, circuit OF mile or two was taken out in the
lake Upon passing out Of the harbor the boats were
Welcomed with q salute Of hundred guns Thus has,
~ length opened the Illinois and Michigan Canal The
long and even,fu period has marked its prcgr,ss
nss 2. isst been Pssssdhe doubts and distrusts and
psllsd--our canal il finished
tbs In reality the CONNIE ncement of new era
1t 10 the formation of a new link in The already
extended chain OF interest and commerce, which
encrcles this vast confederacy, and binds it
with fraternal embrace. 1t is a revolution OF
peace, and one that will bind the people of the
remotest sections of the confederacy together
more enduringly than ever.
We have in this great work another evidence
of the soundness Of the principles on which
our confederacy is formed and events like
this should be held up and appreciated
as triumph Of our free institutions, and
OF the progress which our country is max
ing towards unlimited greatness. If our
energies were fettered, trade and commerce OBJ
structed, and enterprise palsed by The exactiens
and expressions of corrupt monarchical GO
vernment, which, like those of the old world,
would bear US down and crush us, such works
this would never he underfaken ~
menced, would never be compi.ted Being free,
and having nothing TO tear. the enterprise of our
people IS excited, seeking daily and hourly new
fields OF exercise, and We have the result before
us. Nature herself has to give way before the
spirit of progress, and the eternal hills are le-
yelled, valleys filled up, and the products of the
plough and the sickle transported over regions
which few years slnce were Inhabited by the