The daily union., 1852-03-19
From the Boston Post.
The Commerce ana steam Navigauoa OF the Pacific.


II is not 10 be denied, even at this short period alter
those events have taken place, that the annexation of
Texas and the acquisition of California have contributed
than any other two immediate causes, to the de-
veopmen OF the wealth and power OF this country and
to the establishment OF its commercial and maritime su
premacy The annexation of Texas secured to this coun
try, beyond all competition rivalry, the control OF one
OF the most important staples Of commerce known 10 the
world-we mean cotton. With the acquisition OF that
important Siate this republic now comprises nearly all
the territory upon which that plant can be grown with
success But the acquisition Of California with its in
exhaustibe mines OF giterng wealth, is destined to con-
tribute vastly to increase the commercial as well as
political power Of the republic 1t bids fair to furnish.
Tor indefinite period, large supply OF the precious
METALS which, as but comparatively small portion will
be needed here, will enter largely into commerce, and
become staple Of export next in importance to cotton,
if ii 10 not exceed that article in value.
But that is not the most important advantage resulting
from the acquisition Of California. It has established
the empire Of The republic upon 'he shores o. the pacc
region have led TO vast emigration and already although
not five years have elapsed since the acquisition Calfor
mia has become ourishing wealthy, and powerful State
Of the confederacy The American race may now
be considered permanently planted upon the western
slopes OF the continent, and very they will Poceedto
form commercial relations with all the countries and
islands bordering upon and eposng in the bosom Of that
great ocean. Their favorable geographical position will
give them the advantage all other nations and
may regard il fact certain TO be accompshedthat the
citizens OF the United States will control the vas, and
valuable commerce which now passes over the bosom OF
the mighty Pacific to the civilized countries OF Europe
what will it be when the supne and sluggish nations Of
Asia shall have been revived and aroused to energy and
action by contact with the restless and enierprisng
American
There are now more than 500 900 OF human beings
who nhabt the countries Of Asia and America bordering
on the Pacific and Indian oceans, and the islands i'm
bosomed in their OF these, $50 900 900 inhab
the Chinese empire. 5o,ooOooO the islands composing
the empire OF Japan 900 900 the countries composing
the Burman empire. and 100 100000 inhabt Hindossn
Many millions inhabit the islands OF Borneo, Java
Gu NpW and M Ter
Of the Pacific and the countries bordering the western
coast OF South America. This numerous host inhab
Of the richest countries OF the earth, aboundng in
the valuable products Of the tropical and temperate
climates These valuable products may be multiplied to
an amos, nconceivable extent, by applying the proper
countries 10 which we have alluded And those immense
populations may BY the same incentves-by the infa
ences growing out OF contact with superior and
energetic racebecome the consumers OF the produce and
manufactures OF the more civilized and enlightened ma
tons extent which now hardly be Imagined ln
marily we feel warranted in saying that the mighty Pa
ci6c is destined TO be the theatre OF commerce such as
the world has yet seen, and which, for its extent
and value, can be rivalled only by its own boundless
and magnificent waters.
And who is TO enjoy this vast and immense COM
merce The finger OF destiny points clearly 10 our own
country. The United States OF America ii our statesmen
have the wisdom and the genius TO grasp and to improve
the splendid prize which Providence now holds out TO US,
is destined be the great snfepot Of the immense CON-
mercs which isto grow up in the Pacific But It can be
done only by system OF policy equal in bodness Of con-
cepton and energy OF execution TO the magnificent prize
to be won We should allow other nation TO lay It's
grasp on this great field OF enterprise.
By this we mean we should be the first TO enter the
field and reap the harvest We should encourage, by all
proper and constitutional means, the pioneers this great
enterprise Already projects are on foot for establishing
steam communication between Asia and our possess on
on the western slope OF the continent AT present the
commerce and postal intercourse between the two con-
nents would hardly be adequate TO deay the expenses
OF such enterprises Therefore, il government has the
power, we no objection to us lending its and 10 line
OF steamers avesing the Pacific regular periods from
one continent to the other. This be done without
violating either the letter or spirit OF the constitution
by allowing them a reasonable compensation Tor
transporting the mails Ihs mode OF extending ana
to them avoids the very weighy objections which
may be urged against the policy OF furnishing money
or stocks with which to build the ships necessary for
the service. The aid OF the government, given upon
this principle would not the enterprise into pub
lie one Ii would still be private; the ships would be
constructed by private capital and controlled by private
individuals or companies. and would stand precisely IN
the relation with the government which a steamboat or
railroad company would that had contracted for carrying
the mails Il is the principle upon which the whole do,
mestc postal OF the United States now carried
II the government were to provide the capital either
in the form OF money stocks, 1t would, IN oar Judg-
meni, break that sauiary principle for which the
democratic party have always conended in reference 10
internal improvements We believe IL TO be Just con-
stuonal Tor the general government TO furnish money
for the building OF steamships 10 be owned and used by
private individuals for commercial purposes, on the pre-
text OF carrying the mails building up steam navy,
would be to advaHce money Tor the construction OF
railroads for similar purposes
pon the principle we have above indicated, hope
Congress will be reasonably liberal in encouraging the
pioneer lines OF steamers in the Pacific And II II shall
adopt such system OF policy, we believe we can hazard
nothing in saying that the supremacy OF the republic in
commerce and maritime power will, before many years
have elapsed, become permanently established. -
by A. GREEN. Aucsioneer.