Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-01-30

The present posltlon anu clICuu
stances of our country are but a
earnest OF what she is yet destine
TO become. The pathway to he
present eminence was through n
fiowery fields of ease. or bright gaI
dens of luxurious repose. The chill
OF persecution, from the first, th
strong hand Of tyranny was upoI
her. In infancy the syren song
ldespotism lulled her TO repose, til
like Hercules, in fabIed story, sh
crushed the viper sent TO destro,
her, anu stood alone. 1t was by tn
development OF her own internal re
sources. Not by the old and slowl,
accumulating process of ages past
but by a new and bolder way
| By creating means as circumstance
require them; by shaping events Il
meet the wants Of the age; by untir
ling industry and unconquering per
severance, and by individual energy
of her resistless and unsatisfied pub
lie mind. When we see what has beer
accomplished in so short space o
time, with nought but mind and skill
to plan and TO carry forward, what
will be the result when the same
mind, skill and energy, aided by the
developed and developing resources
of science, knowledge and wealth is
applied 10 that vast expanse Of our
domain, hardly yet reclaimed from
its original ownersl
The pursuit of wealth is another
characteristic of our country and
age. Its application TO our country
men, has become universal, and we
are half suspected of carrying about
Us a talisman that converts every
thing we touch into gold. To this
practice, disreputable only when car
ried 10 excess, we owe much, if not
all, TO our national greatness. This
haste 10 be rich has opened a new
era upon the world-the era Of la
bor. The epoch of idleness, when
bloodshed and a worthless aristocra-
cy OF birth and a hereditary wealth
Of broad acres and slavish vassalage,
was held in check only by the strong
arm Of despotism, has given place TO
the age OF labor, where the only
aristocracy is that of honest toll, and
the only wealth that bequeathed by
the earnest and enduring labor, up
held and sustained by free govern
ment. Labor is the richest blessing
a country can possess. Without it
there can be no wealth, nor enjoy
ments. Destitution, misery and
want reign where there is no labor.
1t is a peoples greatest treasure,
and it has given TO our Institutions
their firmest prop-an enlightened
and labor-loving citizenship. The
universal desire after riches, which
has become so engrafted upon our
population, although it often leads
its votaries to irretrievable ruin, yet,
like other pursuits which become
evils only when abused, has been
turned. TO some good account. 1t has
made US eminently a nation Of la
borers; that labor has raised our ma
ton TO its present position; entailed
upon it a hardy race Of laborized
supporters and bequeathed TO US
destiny which laborious tolls and
painful effort only can fulfil.
Our form of Government fosters
and protects this spirit. With the
conventionalities of rank thrown of,
each man may aspire TO equal his
neighbor; and wealth being within
the reach Of all, each pursues the
golden hubble as best suits himself.
The mania for accumulation builds
our cities; it loads our merchantmen
and sends our car vass 10 whiten ev-
cry sea; it drives our mills and erects
our manufacturing villages; it hur-
ries our inhabitants across. the coun-
try, breathless in its pursuit.; if anni-
hiIates time and space, and lastens
10 a single thread of wire the whole
artillery of heaven. In this very
pursuit of wealth lies the grand Sc
cret OF our unparalleled prosperity.
The acquisition of territory-the de-
sire for national wealth in broad
land and extensive domain ,entangled
US in war, at least questionable in
its justice. The result OF that war
has opened to the world a-treasure-
house, inexhaustible in its supply,
and to our money loving population,
a new mode of satisfying their de-
sires in the gold placers of Califor-
mia. The iniatuation which has led
so many respectable men into this
dangerous and uncertain search for
gold, is greatly to be deplored; yet.
when the effect which il is evident
ly destined to produce upon the des-
tiny of the country is taken into con-
sideration, il becomes almost a mat
ter Of regret thatit was not sooner
opened to our energy and perseye,
rance.
West Of the Rocky, Mountains