Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-01-30
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
THE DESTINY OF AMERICA.

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nent as an element of American
character. The rapid growth ant
aim ST unprecedented expansion
of our political and commercial i'm
portance form themes upon whicl
, our counirymen build theories, o.
!, advance speculations concerning th'
, "manifest destiny" of American prin
, ciples and American power; thrus
! ting forward upon every occasion
, till their idolization of country ha'
, passed into a proverb. Whether
we view this subject in the light o
I our past history, or examine ii in q
spirit of vain glory or exuberant pat
riotism, we are alike liable to leave
the regions of sober sense, and soaI
, aloft upon the wings OF an excitee
; imagination. Speculations concern
ing our political influence upon 9th.
er countries, or adulatory express
sions relative to our present position
as nation, form appropriate themes
for Fourth. Of July orations, to that
purpose we willingly confne them.
The present attempt to note sim
gle item in the future Of our beloved
country, is undertaken in no such a
spirit. Ours is not a destiny in
which speculation form a basis, nor
is il one in which theory takes the
place of reality. 1t is an end poin-
ted out by the truthful hand of prac.
tical wisdom; the evident tendency
of our great system Of labor and en-
terprise which is now unfolding it,
self in rapid strides.
Our history, thus far, has been one
of progress. Brilliant, like the mete-
or, we have moved forward majestic
as the mighty comet, Til our scintil-
iations of liberty have enlightened
the world. So rapidly has the re-
public, yet scarce a generation old,
assumed importance and respect,
that enemies have attributed TO US a
precociousness that argues a speedy
downfall. Lovers of the "hereditary
right" prophecy our approaching
end. The growth Of American in
dustry, enterprise and power, con-
tains no element of precocity. Our
country is yet in its infancy. Her
advancement is but the legitimate
consequence ol a proper appreciation
OF republican institutions. While
TO the eyes of monarchical Europe
she seems to have sprang, Minerva
like. completely armed, from the
head OF her British Jupiter, we be
hold nothing but a vigorous growth,
the spontaneous up-springing Of a
living acting principle.
America contains within herself
the germ Of her prosperity. "Liber-
ty," says another, sis the American
policy; liberty is her glory" A tru-
er sentiment has seldom fallen from
the lips of an American. Liberty,
in the true sense of the word, is at
once, not only the policy and glory
of America, but in a more exalted
view, il may be said to be the very
altar from which the orsaions of her
free people ascend TO the God OF the
Universe. Republican principles are
but developing the internal Iesour-
ces of her exhaustless fountain Of
wealth and power. The contempla-
lion of what we have been, and
what we are, pictures on the dark
back ground Of the future, what we
must and shall be. Comparatively
but small portion Of our extensive
territory is at present inhabited, and
even that is but thinly populated
Yet see the immense resources with
in these few acres. Electricity and
steam are careering over it. playing
a fearful game of strength and speed.
An iron network Of railway binds
manufactures and commerce; a sin
gle thread of wire brings the remo-
test parts Of our country within
flash of each other; stronger than
triple bars Of brass cements our
union. and fastens it round with
bonds ofintelligence, and might
The fabrics from our gathering mills,
moved by every stream in the land,
borne on the swift wings OF the dar-
ting steamer, that pushes its prov
through our many rivers ere they
are a day old find themselves toss
ing upon the waves of the wild At
lantic. Yet, there is power be-
hind all these; an agency so intimate
ly combined with others, so acting
upon them all, as to become indispen-
sable as motive power-the Archi-
medean lever with which this new
republic has moved a people Of un-
cultivated forests and barbarous peo-
ple-the press. Every village has
its newspaper; every party its organ;
and every author its publisher. How
eagerly the pubs ceize upon the
sheet yet damp from the press, to
acquaint themselves with events
which, eleven days before were
transpiring three thousand miles
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