The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-01-09

THE PRESENT AND FUTURE.

We live in the 10Th century. Some COCO
years ago, God said, 60 multiply and replenish
the earth. Man obeyed, and in the mean time
he has been bold to kill and depopulate the
earth. 1t is estimated that five times the
present population of the world, have been
slain by the cruel hand of War Still large
family is left. Our own country, Gu. States, }
has population at present, Of 2l,00O, 900 of
souls
If, according to good judges, the Americans
double every 20 years, then in 1870 we num-
Der 40 milions-in 1900 we have so millions,
and in 1850, little more than a century from
now, we shall have 800 millions In about
800 years, which some of our grand chiIdrens
grand children, doubtless will live to see, 512O
millions of living souls, or rising of 25O, to one
now,will be the probable number of persons, in
habiting the States of North America The
thought is startling one. Those who can
look back for so or even 80 years, can attest
to the extremely rapid increase and growth
of our towns and cities. Villages, that ten
years since, had no sxistence,have now become
places OF commanding importance. A year
or two since, in one of the hourishing parts of
the city of New York, Milestone was dis
covered, nearly or quite embedded in the
earth, giving The distance to the city OF New
York, to be miles now the city spreads far
beyond it. Such has been the additions to
Uncle Sans family, that since 1900, period
Of less than so years, it has increased from
4 TO 81 millions. A pretty good number to
take Fatherly care of! The old gentleman
for year or two, has had notion that his
home farm was little too small, containing
only $3.50 millions of acres being $500 miles
long by 400 wide. Which apportioned off
among the whole number of boys and girls.
leaves them with only about 60 acres Tapeicel
each. He at once made up his mind to get,
by hook or crook, a small farm of an adioin-
ing neighbor, only $40 millions ofacres, ie, all
Of Mexico. He pretended to have a mort
gage or lease on the property us it is some
times called. His claim being resisted, a
sharp contest ensued, which resulted in
blows.
Several of the older and wiser members of
the family, insisted upon the old gentleman's
compromising the matter Being Of rather a
stubborn temperament, and quite disposed to
have his own way, he continued the fuss, deal
ing out blows and hard knocks, until he found
his pocket money spent, his credit hard run,
and many Of his sons returning with stump
legs and eyeless sockets, or left dead on the
field of strife
But bought wit is best, It's said, if notboucht
too dear. Uncle Sans increased stock, comes
to him under rather a high tariff in this case.
After spending S170 millions, and loosing ov-
err $4,000 of his brave boys, he resolved to
purchase peace, binding it different to con-
quer one) by giving the enemy SO millions in
exchange, for tract of barren, mountainous
land. This proposal was accepted, and both
parties, tired of the quarrel, agreed to keep
the 'l'fc cod fbot tb,s. &.
tains some mineral wealth. What of that :?
This had nothing to do with the war, and if
1t had, the entire mineral wealth of the Uu-
verse, could not atone for the lavish waste of
human life, made to obtain it,
But the farm is enlarged; meadow and fall
low land is added, and now instead of so, he
can divide 20 acres among his numerous fami-
ly. 1t was obtained at great cost of life and
treasure. This IS of little consequence, as
land and Gold and Glory is of more value in
the old gentleman's view, than a hundred
thousand human lives
Alas is justice asleep? Has wisdom fed
Has virtue, truth and humanity taken their
departure from our National altar, that their
incense go up no more, to appease the wrath
OF an insulted Deity. If not, forbid it Heav-
en-, and hold us up from ruin
We have had most wonderful and trium-
plant career, thus far; but We tremble to con-
template the future-we instinctively ex-
claim -
"Watchman, tell us of the night,
What its signs of promise are o.
The future opens wide and wonderful be-
fore US. We are destined to become great
and glorious nation: or like ancient Repub- |
lies, be hurled suddenly, from the high emf
nence we hold among the nations of the earth, |
to dark and utter oblivion.
Philosophers, Statesmen, Philanthfopists,
and CHRISTIANS we look TO you under God,
to guide us out of the stormy sea,-from the
raging elements into which We arc thrown, TO
, ne moorings of repose and perfect security
me mission is a mighty one and full Of moral
S. b. R.