The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-08-05
WHCLE NO. 6is.

OF the characteristics OF the DHtch; and
| remember when was among them, in
1929, to have seen near the seacosi, in
the neighborhood Of Harlan, carts EN-.
ployed in carting sand 10 distance of
some miles into the country whore the
soil consisted only of bog. The sand
was shot down into the bog and mixed
whit. The same carts returned TO The
sandy region loaded with bog, which was
shot down into the sand, when a similar
iniermingling took place. BY going on
with this procession days and weeks,
,olerable good soil was the result in
both places. Certain vegetable sub.
stance would grow on il, uben nothing
whatever would have grown in the sand
or bog by itself. Our Western folks,
and the folks on Our Atlantic side too,
who own such large bodies o. good land
TO be had cheap, might incline to smile
at this Dulch mode OF making land; but
lei US stopa moment. ~w
The country which that remarkable
people thus and in other ways worked
up, exhibited in The sixteenth century
an accumulation of more inhabitants in
the same space than was known in any
other part of Europe, Of more industry
than was ever found elsewhere, and of
more national wealth than was ever pos
sessed by the same number of men. So
says Lord Brougham in une of his works.
and he says, also, tina, the splendor and
power Of Holland were the consequent
ces not of any natural advantages, bu, a
great variety of defects in her climate
and situation. These put man upon his
own efforts in all manner Of ways, open
by any possibility to his enterprise and
industry. efG
Now what would the making Of this
railroad to the Pacific, which you recon-.
mend by such Comprehensive, cogehi,
aud animating views--what, in truth,
would it be, compared TO what the Dutch
have done, even if, as you intimate, The
United States were to employ fifty thou
sand Iaborers upon it? Almost as moth
ing. The Dutch, as Vollaire said OF
them, scooped their country oul Of the
sea. II was like new creation. ,Hav-
ing no country, they made one for them
selves that produced the morvels rccoun-
ted. God and nature gave us a country
Of immense natural fertility and advanta-
ges IN all respects; yet comparatively,
VIC sleep over them, notwithstanding all
we say of ourselves, and the many things
we have really done very honorable TO
US, as far as we have gone. But nations,
like individuals, have duties commensu-
rate with their situations, and il has ever
been the maxim of an ambition that as
pres 10 durable superiority TO consider
nothing done while anything 10 which
wisdom and honor prompts remains un-
done. TO my vision, as TO yours, our
inducements TO construct this national
highway to the Pacific are urgent. Ia
ken in the high sense of national duty,
pride and interest, the inducements are
quite mandatory. Not month, not
day should be lost towards i. From
those TO whom much is given much is
expected.
We have got an intellectually important
dominion upon the Pacific, and we shall
lose il if we do not set about projecting
it in earnest, War will come upon US
one of these days. 1t will come sooner
or later, from some of the causes which
produce all wars, while human passions
remain; and it may come like thief in
the night. 1t is no part of prudence,
however AatteriDg i, may be 10 our self
compacency, TO rest on the belief that
other nations are afraid Of cur power, or
depend upon our trade, or dread the
overthrow of their kings and emperors by
battling with our democracy. You and
| think that we are better off than the
people Of Europe, and that our govern
ment is the best; but we cannot be so
sure that The Europeans all think SO, or
if they did, that they could establish de.
mocracy on their own continent, As
sole matter of commercial gain, we sho'd
profit thousand fold from this projected
national highway, 0y lis aid III securing
to US more promptly the enriching trade
10 China and India, to an extent concef.
vable only to the minds that dwell upon
i, like yours. And as matter of State
policy, for the defence Of our Union on
its Pucifc border, its construction with
out delay and IN the. best possible mode,
is recommended by the highest consid-
erations which can appeal to the reason
of an enlightened people. Even If we
did not reason, The instincts Of safety and
self.defence ought to rouse us to the
work at the earliest periods. sasHHs
Your admirable letter (for so ! must
call il) has melted me 10 remarks which
| fear you may deem superhuous. Pray
ing your excuse for so many words on
topic more familiar to you than 10 me:
hoping that your letterwill do the good
which its intrinsic force ought 10 claim,
and writing in the TenleMbrance OF the
former friendly intercourse between us,
remain, MY dear sir, very faithfully aud
respectfully, yours, asagle M
aaSgn5 hrl V RIGHAR0 RIISFFs