The southern press., 1851-10-29

| washington City.
the plough, or with the spade and hoe, as though
they had not an idea beyond the ground they
dwell upon Yet is their mind all the while en-
larglng all its powers, and their spirit rises as
their improvements advance"
The writer was so sensible that this would
not De credited in England, where the husband
man has not an idea beyond the ground he
dweils upon," that he found it necessary to en-
force the point by the following language - N
hope no one will SO misunderstood this as
to take it for fancy drawing Of what may be.
1t j. lineal and exact portrait of what actually
exists" II.
| But we have still more to say of the extraor-
binary discernment of Pownsll, who not only
predicted the " greatness of empire" destined for
the American people, but with sagacity APP
preaching to inspiration, saw also far in advance
the influence Of the new form Of government
and new political ideas about to be developed in
| America, and thrown back from the new repub-
nc to Europe, to work out great changes in the
systems Of the old world. Were not the print
ed book before our eyes we could hardly believe
the following to have been written before Ar
mold apostatized, or CORVALLIS was captured -
"The independence of America is fixed as fate.
She is mistress of her ownfortune; knows that
she is so, and will actuate that power which she
feels, both so as to establish her own system and
to change the system of Europe. Yts
''ThOse sovereigns of Europe who have been
led by the office-systems and worldly wisdom Of
their ministers;-who, seeing things in those
lights have despised the hnfashioned awkward
youth of America-when they shall find the
system OF this new empire not only obsnucting,
but superseding the old systems Of Europe, and
crossing upon the effects of all their settled
maxims and accustomed measures: they will
call upon these their ministers and wise men,
Come curse me this people, for they are TOO
mighty for me" Their statesmen will be dumb.
But the spirit Of truth will answer, Hou shah
curse ,ohom Cad hath not cursedpn
That such prediction as this should have
been soberly uttered of handful of men, who
were at that moment fighting for their very ex
istence as nation, must be accounted AMONG
the miracles of political foresight The boldness
OF the prophecy is equailed only by the extra
ordinary precision Of the ful6lment
Of the commerce of the Americans, so de.
precated BY Sheffield, POwnal speaks thus at a
time, when Britain was mistress of the seas -
"The American will come to market in his own
shipping, and will claim the ocean as common:
will claim a navigation restrained by no laws
but the law of nations, reformed as the rising
crisis requires"
On the subject of emigration TO this country.
he is equally shrewd and felicitons in his predc.
TONS
"America will seem every day to approach
nearer and nearer to Europe When the alarm
which the idea of going to a strange and distant
country gives to the homely notions OF an Eu-
ropean manufactures or peasant, shall be thus
worn out, thousand repeated repusive feelings
respecting their present home. thousand attrac
tive motives respecting the settlement which
w In in, As.o -
of adventure and become the irresistible cause
OF an almost general emigration to that nep
toorld
There 10 nowhere In the European part of the
old world, such greatness of interviewer AM,
combined interest communicated through such
largeness of territory rs that in North America.
One finds everythings united in il, which form
greatness of dominions, amplitude and crouch Of
stass"
How immeasurably Pownall was ahead of all
his contemporaries in his conceptions of the spirit
oil political and commercial enterprise in this
country, may be seen by what we have adduced,
and by the general tenor of his speculations on
the growth Of empire in this hemisphere. No.
thing was clearer TO his understanding than the
fact that the States formed great phole with a
community OF interests and power of combin-
ing In system which could embrace all. British
America. In the following remark be was GER
tainly up to the level Of the ideas of the day
that Is passing over our heads -
"Whether the islands in those parts called the
West Indies are naturally parts OF this North
American communion, is question, In the detail
OF i, OF curious speculation, but of no doubt "a
10 the fact"
Pownall's acuteness and sound political knowl.
edge did not fail 10 perceive the defects of the
old confederation.
lie is, therefore, most earnest in his entreaties
10 the American people to establish a federal
government to secure them nm effective nation.
atty, or, 10 his own words, "lift up a standard
to the nations"
The memorial will now ventureSn the words
OF the prophet lsaah-foAukhis prophet was as
true a patriot as deep ician, as he was a
sound divine-to say to the sovereign govern.
ment of Americas
Arise ascend thy losty seat,
BE clothed with thy strensth-S
Lit up on high standard to the nations
Actuate your sovereignty. Exercise the DOW.
ers and duties Of your throne. Let the supreme
magistrate or magistrates be visibly clothed with
he majesty OF the people, and seem to be armed
with the efficient powers Of administration"
Various other points Of advice are urged with
admirable sense and ssgacity, and the memorial
st assures the American people that by follow
NC this counsel they will become
"A nation TO whom all nations will come;
bower whom all the powers of Europe will
court 10 civil and commercial alliances; a people
o whom the remnants Of all ruined people win
", whom the oppressed and injured Of every
,ation will seek for refuge The riches of the
ea will pour in upon them, the wealth of ma.
ions must flow 10 upon them, and they must
'e populous and rich people"
The enlarged mind, and generous sympa-
HES OF this remarkable man warm into unusual
eryor ss he contemplates the glorious destinies
n store for the people whom he knew and loved
70 well. The peroration Of his work is an elo-
Iuent and affectionate aspiration to Heaven for