The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-13
The Social Changes In Central America
Results Of the Progress OF Enterprsse.

The rapidly increasing accounts from San Sal
vador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and other States of
South America, bring with them signs of grow
ng intelligence, of new political ambition, of
more active zeal in all the affairs of mankind
which conduce TO the welfare OF society at large,
and promise altogether future, which will bear
remarkably favorable comparison with the scenes
which have already marked this portion of the new
continent of the world II has been wisely and
correctly said that the trading man is the true mis-
sionary of civilization, of religion and Of rehne-
ment. The assertion will be proved by the fact,
that the South American republics have sprung
into new life, since trade has entered their bor-
ders, as though they had been touched by the
spear of Ithurel. Scarcely has enterprise taken
her first step upon this soil, when we have the
qualification Of beholding new features in that
gion, 10 animate our hopes for the future.
The progress Of the citizens OF the United States
in the new, and, but little while ago, unknown
wilds Of California, has given impetus to the
thoughts of our Southern neghbors, such as has
never been known since Cortez and Pizarro threat
ened the provinces of Mexico, or Ponce de Leon
sought the life giving and youth preserving springs
Of Florida. The bent and purpose Of men have been
taken from the designs which Incidence has gene
rated through intrigue, whereby civil strife has
cut down all profitable commercial enterprise, and
the people the South American States are aow imi-
tating the strides by which their northern neiehbors
have assembled to power, prosperity and eminence.
Bolivar and the battling legions who gained name
in the early history of the republics the southern
side of the isthmus, will be forgotten and lost
in the memory and lustre of new names consecra-
ted to the genius OF commerce-whch is the spirit
n ~ ,,da anI az al.,,
feuss Of cavaliers, who borrow mach Of their
character from the ancient Spanish, are sinking.
like water into the sand, as the sun OF newer
and better civilization breaks over the horizon
Of their destinies The social aspect becomes
daily more cheering The bird Of commerce, with
its white " ngs; or the very dragon Of enterprise,
tuning, foaming, and smoking with a speedy pur-
pose, attracts all eyes and excites all hearts. The
citizen Of the United Suites leaps from its sides,
and with determined energy sets the bold example
Of patience and perseverance. The lesson i NOT
lost. II strikes home to the bosoms of men, and
arouses all their energies to compete in a struggle
in which the sword is beaten into plough share,
and the spear into pruning hook. The South
no longer indolent, or engaged only in
the dreams Of new revolution, swskes to the
sense Of q condition Of society which is break
ing in upon him. He beholds, in the first smiles
Of commerce, benson for his future progress and
joins with his American brother in that sympathy
for the products Of labor, which constitute the true
enjoyment Of individuals and Of nations Thus,
commerce and trade promote their true mission Of
civilizanon-and thus is it that the arts of peace
turn the minds OF from the ruier strategies of
wsr.
Since the American steamers touched at Cha.
gree, how steadily-how uniformly have we been
able 10 trace the vast social changes which have
altered the face Of affairs, in even the most remote
70 gions Of the South American States The thee.
rists Of those countries are now beginning to turn
their ninds-often Of an elevated siamp-to the
new condition Of things. The prospect Of canal
through Nicaragua has awakened in that republic
q feeling Of Independence and confidence in her
resources, which nothing else could have accom- ,
plished. She begins to speak like one Of the old
governments ofths earth, and her people naturally
ally Themselves to oar people, who perceive in her
climate end landscape new scenes for tourists, as
well as for The commercial traveller Il is not too
much to hope that the day lie near at hand, when |
even classic Italy will be deserted by those fond
Of visiting foreign countries that they may dwell |
within the walls Of Grenada, sleep 10 the shadow
81 the ancient cathedral Of Leon. The tropical \
usurance of the scenes spreading around volca- /
noes OF harmless, yet interesting grandeur, will at
rsct thousands who have become surfei.ed with
he rumbliBg OF Vesuvius, or wish no longer TO
tumble within the narrow streets and passages Of
uned Pompeii. The ruins in Central America
nay have less classical, but they have no, less
niersiniGg interest than those Of the other con,i-
ient; and the lover Of nature or Of art, will leave
bis country hereafter for sight OF the continent
hich he dwells, before he seeks the trne-worn
Ind travelled pathway Of the nations existing on
he other continent This must be the result.
Fecis will soon come to light well calculated to
s.cnsh the world az the character and swiftress Of