Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-09-27
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT,
LONDON, SEPTEMBER 4, 1851

LONDON, SEPTEMBER A, 1851.
II must be obvious TO the most superficial observ-
er that two great principles are now al work IN
the civilized world: that of progress or improve
ment among the masses of the people-the many;
that Of despodc rule among the governors or would
be governors of those masses-the few. These
two principles are most decidedly antagonistcal to
each other: they are now and have long been in
silent conflict; they must soon come into open con-
ten,ion. II cannot be doubted to which side VIC
tory will ultimately incline; to have single mis-
trust upon the question would be 10 deny the
power of truth, of justice, and of right. To sup
pose that the victory will be achieved without
long, an arduous, and it may be terrible and wide
spread and sanguinary contention, would be en-
coursging hope almost against conviction. The
press, the platform, and the pulpit, all declare the
steady march of the cause Of progress and improve
ment, the advance Of the mind Of man in all the
great and higher elements Of its being and mans
mortal existence. In arts, science, and literature,
in commerce, in correct religious perceptions, in
improved moral and social habits, and in sound
political knowledge, this progress is almost univer-
sally admitted. Travellers observe it, philosophers
account for it, the press and the pulpit proclaim it,
patriots phanthrophiss, and the truly religious of
every sect and name rejoice in it. TO enumerate
the steps which science and art have lately taken
for in the progress OF humanity half century is
a very brief space-would be to transcribe the en-
tire cyclop@dia of knowledge; for in what portion
Of the circle is not that progress srikingy visible
Man has now almost literally subdued the earth bis steam
ships bis railroads. and his telegraphs have nearly snnih
lated time and space One day gravey proposed unite
the capital Of the British Empire by iron band with CAL
currA order that the distance between the places may
be passed within week and in the language Of the
Times, "to enable man shave Monday morning in
& har Tond far ka the hqY-
nometer nowhere On the following Monday be may be
sngudly stripping for cold bath in Calcutta, his limbs
relaxed with heat and with the quicksilver where you will
The day attention called, not to the PROMISE
but the accomplishment Of another task somewhat similar
in character which has been taken up, dcussed and aban
doned and again any time during the last two
centuries" We aude to the project for joining the two
great Of the world by cutting through the shmus Of
Panama. This project Of the greatest importance to
the whole civilized world 1t national
The element OF locality could into any calculation
respecting it, Its completion concerned Canton much
Liverpool, New York intimately as London, and yet
until the last few months what had been done towards its
completion Rival schemes crudey elaborated and built
upon assumption than upon facts upon speculation
than upon knowledge were from time to ime submitted 10
the public each urging its superior facility Of completion its
overwhelming totaty Of advantages and yet nothing
which quote thst the difficulty to be resolved
itself into pleasant trip through lovely country
which may be accomplished in about twentyfour hours
when the machinery shall have been set fully in motion
Such, however, is the simple truth"
The Of the absolute accomplishment Of the
transit from ocean, by the way Of Lake Nicaragua
about hry6ve hours and between San Francisco and Lon
don in days. inclusive Of four days delay New
York and considerable delays the Ihmus has filled the
commercial and the political circles Of England with much
for conversation and still with food for profitable
reflection The Times concludes it's powerful article upon
the subject with the following observations
This is Of course but first practical experiment The
transit the shmus is susceptible Of indefinite improve
ment When remember the fatal objections that
offered whenever the project for crossing the Ihmus by the
way Of Nicaragua named il s not unreasonable sup
pose that the difficulties Of other routes may also have taken
lively color in the heated magnaons of the projectors
The proved exaggeraion in the makes antic
pate possible exaggeraons in others But admitting
that mature consideration the route by way Lake Mica
ragua may be adopted the most advisable at the
point Of engineering knowledge s in the face Of these
reports, it is evident that beyond exploding Illusion
thing has been accomplished attempted. We would
for moment undevalue the spirit and energy of the gallant
little band which has successfully carried through this
makable enterprise. They have fairly put to shame. II
will remain enduring blot in the history Of English ad
venture that noble feat this has been accomplished
without aid although aid asked from n the
necessary discard all gusts Of sentiment and to consider the
question from practical point Of view. is compa-
rativey speaking, Of little importance whether company Of
United States of British merchants the first send
steamer up the river San Juan Free from to
is Of the last importance the interest Of all
cial nations is clear that whatever arrangements may
finally be decided upon, the key Of the Pacific be
trusted the keeping Of any single Power In point Of fact
negotiations have been long afoos Washington and in Lon
don to bring about desirable result The energy and
capital Of the two nations could not be directed noble
object than the union Of the by the rapid and
direct channel Of which circumstances will admit Thegory
Of having practically proved the possibility Of will
main forever honorable distinction Of private company
In the United States"
So much for the Of progress evidenced in mans
victories over physical obstacles his umphs the matte
rial mpedmens to social and commercial intercourse What
has been done in mechanical invention and manufacturing
skill will be abundanty shown by the and glass
extending through many mile in the Crystal Palace.
In he machinery Of England and the United States the
agricultural implements Of those countries and Of Belgium
in the boadclohs Of SaIony; in the musns and ribands
and laces Of Switzerland, and above ALL in the exquisite
watches and other theological machines Of that country in
the mutarous productions of German, Prussian Russian
Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese skill in the contributions
from Persia, Turkey Egypt, and Tunis in the silks the
crpes the jewey, and the porcelain Of France in the
beautiful statuay Of Belgium, sa1ony, Milan and Verona;
and though last 10 enumeration, perhaps first in excellence,
the incompatible Greek Slape Of HIRAM PowsR 10 the
metallic castings Of Berlin and Munich in the jewelry from
France, and Spain and Russia and Hndosan in the