The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-12
wuAr n THE Position or CALrroasiAq-An.

WHAT - THE POSITION OF OALiFohNiAs-Au.
other, and great country, commanding the Pa
cifc Ocean, is now already added to the I'M
mense dominions of our immense country. Not,
let it be supposed, unnece ssarily added, for as
the terrific Atlantic bathes our shores on the
eastern side, so it seems proper and requisite, In
order to give compactness to the whole, that an
other great Ocean, the Pacific, should form the
boundary and the limit of our western domain.
Thus we have no power, no foreign people, no |
separate ration between us and the great wes-
tern ocean.
On one side, we look eastward. and send out
our ships from our eastern harbors to old Europe
and her various people On the other side, we
look out towards the west-a wide prospect-and
shall. from our ports and harbors there, soon
send our ships and vessels to old Asia, and
populous China, and wealthy Hindostan.-
What wonderful contemplation What a
destiny seems already to dawn upon and await
the American people And yet among us all,
and among our fathers, who went before us, not
one can look upon another and say, Thou
ddst it," Though man has, indeed, IN every
thing, been the agent in bringing 1t to pass he
has been, as it were, an unconscious agent ana
we may we'll say, that this great destiny OF this
great people is the work and performance of the
Power that shapes the end and destiny OF all
the human race. Instead, therefore, of becom-
ing blinded by pride and self-concei:, and boast
ing ourselves beyond our due, let us learn to be
wise, and to consider ourselves as only per-
forming part allotted to US in the great drama
of approaching ages. But truce to these mo-
ralizations.
We have got California-our people are filling
it up-our industry is vivifying tour agricul-
ture is beginning to the rich soil to good ac-
contour commerce is beginning to carry there,
productions, goods, luxuries and conveniences
never known there before; and now, being mas
tiers of the country, what be more fit and pro-
per. but that we should know something more
about it, and become familiar with a country
which promises soon to be one of the greatest,
and richest, and most fourlshing Of the States
of our Unions In order to accomplish this de-
sirable end, and make our readers here, on
the eastern boundary of our world, little
more familiar with what is doing and what
has been done there, on the remote wes-
tern boundary of our empire, we have published,
from time to time, an ample store OF selections
of all kinds from series of Californian journals
received at this office.
These journals are really curious and interest
ing specimens of the almost miraculous, sudden
rise of a new nation, as it were on spot OF the
world, till now unheeded and possessed almost
exclusively by the wild deer the OK, and the but
falo. All of sudden, a nation has sprung up IN
this wild theatre of desolation. Civilization
erects her standard, towns and villages arise,
newspapers, elegantly printed, are spread abroad,
and the literature of New York and London
spreads open its attractive pages in the late rude
wilds of California 1t is passing strange 1t is
phenomena in the history of civilization But
few months ago we heard there was such
country-we sent out governor-our enterprls-
ing people focked thither as to land of promise;
| and now, in an incredibly short time, 1t Is be-
come nation of American people, branch of
the great tree of American planting, root which
has spread itself widely and irresstibly into those
distant regions We should hardly have fallen
into this train of thought and remark, had 1t not
been for these newspapers which have come to
us from California. Indeed, nothing is so calcu-
lated to give vivid conception Of what we have
risen to be in Californla-of what we are already
there-and of what we are going to be-as the
sight and perusal of these newspapers. One is
entitled The Californian, the other the Caltor-
mia Star. In Typography and general appear
ance, and in paper, they are fully equal to many
New York, Boston, or Philadelphia papers; in &C.
lection and management they are quite as good
as many of them; and IN talent, taste and judg-
ment of editorship, they are even superior to
not few of those nearer home. This speaks
volumes as to the progress and advancement Of
our people in that distant region.
Mr.. CLAY IN WAsHINaToN.-The arrival OF
Mr. Clay in Washington is more than an ordi-
nary event. The presence of that distinguished
man in the metropolis, will have a remarkable
effect upon the movements of the different men,
bers of Congress and parties at Washington, so
far as concerns the next Presidency. OF this we
think there can be no doubt. Mr.. Clay has al
ways been in the habit of directing and controll-
ing, and imparting new movements and impulses
to those who call themselves his friends.
He is of an imperious, uncomfortable temper
must have everything his own way-and we
have no reason to suppose that he will easily
resign his pretensions to General Taylor, or any
other candidate.
When General Harrison was nominated, nearly
eight years ago, Mr.. Clay was loud and indig-
nant in his accusation of those by whom the
movement was made, and against all his
friends. He will now endeavor, no doubt,
to make arrangements better and irmer than
formerly, for the next great election. 1t is
said he will remain two or three weeks in
Washington much curious matter will trans
pire in relation to the election during his
sojourn there. We shall endeavor to collect
intelligence, and communicate it every morning,
by means of telegraph.
Mr.. Clay and his friends may do what they
please in organising conventions of national
character but, according to all appearances, the
people have taken the matter into their own
bands and are determined to elect their own