The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-22
From the Cincinnati Gazette.
The Northwestern States-Their Growth and
Prospects.

Fr0speco.
The northwestern States present the most re-
| markable instance Of growth and prosperity re-
corded in history. They afford the best illustra-
ton Of the consequences which may be expected
to flow from the adoption Of republican institutions
in the formation of society. But il must not be
supposed that the prosperity of the northwest 10
due only to laws and institutions. No laws can
supply the want Of fertile soil and fine climate,
in which the northwest cminently excel. But,
on the other hand, no natural advantages can COM
pensate for the want Of a free government which
they also have in the highest measure OF excel
lence. The northwest has both the excellence Of
nature and the excellence Of institutions. Now,
look upon the and statistics of 1850, and
what they have produced. In 1870 settlements
had been made at Marietta and Cincinnati, while
there were old French settlements at Detroit, Vim.
ccpnes, Kaskaskia, and Cahookia. Detroit
the largest of these villages; but was yet small
place.
Three years before. the Congress of the Conicdc-
ration had passed the ordinance OF l767. II is a
great mistake to suppose the merit ofths consisted
only in its anti slavery proviso The moral power
OF that proviso was unquestionaby great, but there
were other principles settled in that ordinance Of
value fully equal to that There was the freedom
and protection OF religion; the establishment and
maintenance Of education; the invioability Of con-
tracts, and the perpctuity of government. For
among the provisions of the ordinance one
that the States formed out of the Northwestern
territory should forever remain IN the -dnlericGn
C0rfsderacy Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan,
and Wisconsin cannot even discuss for them
ocAVcc Nio Ciuhiu tucoICtiCdly SCI up ny oOutu
Carolina, TO secsds from the Union. For ii such
right could for one moment be even imagined to
exist in the old States, the northwestern States
are specially covcnanted against it, The old
States formed the ordinance and the northwestern
States have adopted and will abide by it. The
northwest, therefore, never discusses such ques-
tons, dreams of them, and finds it ne
cessary to protest love of Union, which can never
be suspected either at home abroad The MORAL
PowER of that ordinance has been undoubtedly
great; but not less happy in their influences have
been the natural and providcntial advantages be-
slowed upon them. A fertile soil, genial cline,
noble forests, wide-spreadng prairies. fine rolling
rivers, inland seas exhaustless mines-all make up
an accumulation OF natural resources not surpassed
in any region of the earth. Such were the re-
sources, the physical power, and the natural, po-
ltical, and moral advantages which induced ra-
pid and unprecedented emigration to the north
west not only from the other States of the Repub-
lie, but from every portion Of Europe; from the
cold chores of Norway to the warm cline of Italy,
and from the Danube to the Pc.
Let US now look at the growth Of the northwest.
The following the censuses from 1890 to 1850,
inclusive, of the territory comprehended within the
five States Of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and
Wisconsin