The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-06-15

The more generally view OF our present prosperity is
preceded by study OF ITS source the less shall we be in
clned to the vain GLORIOUS opinion that our liberty and
civilization due only to the intelligence OF
single age, and that il destroyed the intelligence OF
single age could reconstruct them We shall perceive
that they the results OF no sudden and convulsve
efforts among people imbued with monafchical ideas,
and knowing just mean between despotism and
archy We shall recognise more fully our obligation
the patience and resolution Of those who, bringing with
them all OF tho civilization Of Europe which could be
transpanied to New World, nouhshed the seminal
principles # our institutions in thst slow and sturdy
growth We shall that II our fathers did not go so
far have gone, they had their faces in the same
direction. and that, but for them, should have little
reason to sraiaaie ourselves upon our acquisitions
king the historical DEVELOPMENT of our institutions
study preliminary to that of their present state that only
thus are we enabled to perceive the true principle Of
many inclined TO forget how little is to be gained by
social experiment; and that IN the slow growth of ns
!9ons lies the secret of their Legitimacy and strength
we shall that is to be secured only by The gradual
expansion of existing institutions And not by attempts
realize the dreams Of the iheores and the charaan While
our nature remains unchanged the same causes which
facilitate Improvement in the past must be expected to
promote in the future We should, therefore, reject
new theories of social Improvement, however specious,
until Rer anthor can Show that some new principle has
been introduced into the nature of man.
M Poussn's survey OF Colonial History brings under
review the different systems Of English and French colo
canddIy stated The old theory Of Colonization is sill
maintained with great tenacity in England, nothwh
standing the example of the United States and the
brawls Of Canadian neghbors have given in
terest to the subject among ourselves II seems TO be
still believed that political institutions are not the growth
of local conditions but that they can any stage OF their
DEVELOPMENT be plucked up and transplaned to new
soil That an arstocracy can be imported from a
country where land is dear and labor cheap, into
gion where the opposite condition of society prevails and
power surrounded by obsequous dependencies scattered
over the globe, the copyss OF her laws and manners,
and preferng her interest and glory to their own can
long continue the arbi.e Of their fortunes, while they
should think too chimercal to find advocates did not
experience oil the contrary There to
be natural limit 10 the colonial system There cannot
be political any than religious popedom and the
political economy OF the nineteenth century will
tainy fail OF its establishment did the military power
OF the eighteenth
We should observe, that throughout the historical
portion of the work, the author has carefully furnished
the dates of important rvens-a regard for the wants of
his readers, much neglected by writers with whom
accuracy is subordinate to pictorial effect
In the second volume M Poussn reviews the military,
naval, commercial, and industrial resources of the United
States. These are surveyed with the accuracy and com
prehensveness of the scientific inquirer. He awards
due praise to institutions for general education and
physical improvement The perusal OF this portion Of
not permit US to advert We close with passage voi
Iii, p 2S which proves that in favorable review of
American institutions he is not nsensible to
and vices:
sOne thing (which we cannot hesitate to mention ought
to strike with surprise-hat in the midst Of many
favorable circumstances which Providence has
lated this fortunate portion OF the globe the Americans
should not be their guard against The mmoderae
development of their speculative character But societies.
like the individuals which compose ihem have their weak
sde and after ALL shond not American society bear the
mark OF its original defect
:. Every nation which takes riches the standard OF
good and evil will exhibit to the world The cearesl proof OF
its demors izaon in order to attain them 1t is compel
led rush blndly into all manner Of speculaons Moth
ing can prevent, such people from becoming slaves what
ever may be the laws under which they live, Tor in
demOc
power which exercises easpdegcnerates into despot-
an