Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-12-22

The growth OF our population has now
brought us, in the destined career Of gu.
nanonaI history, to point at which il.
well behooves us 10. expand our vision
over the vas, prospective. The success.
i've deeennial returns of the census since
the adoption of the Cons tuition, have
revealed law of steady progressive de-
velopement which may be stated, in gen.
eral terms, as duplication every quar-.
ter of century. Carried forward from
the point already reached only for
short period of time, as applicable to the
existence of a nation, this law Of prog.
ress, if unchecked. will bring US TO al
most incredible results.
A large allowance for diminished
proportional effect of emigration, would
not very materially reduce the estimate;
while the increased average duration Of
human life, known to have already re
suited from the scientific and hygienic
Improvements OF the past fifty years.
will tend TO keep up through the next
fifty, o. perhaps hundred years. the same
ratio of growth which has been thus re
vealed in oui past progress, and 10 the
Influence OF these causes may be added
the influx of laboring masses from East
ern Asia to the Pacific side of our pos.
sessions. together with the probable ac-
cession of population already existing
in other parts of our hemis phere. which,
within the period in question, will feel
with yearly increasing force, The natural
attraction OF SO vast. powerful and pros
porous confederation of selfgoverning
republics, and will seek the privilege Of
being admitted within its safe and happy
bosom; transferring with themselves, by
peaceful, healthy process OF incorpo'
ration, spacious regions of virgin and
exuberan. soil, which are destined TO
swarm with the vast, growing anc spread
ing millions of our race. a g.
These considerations seem fully 10
justify the presumption that the law of
population above stated, will still act
with undiminished effect through at leas,
the mex, half century, and that thousands
of persons who have already arrived at
maturity, and are Cow exercising the
rights OF freemen, viii close their eyes
on the spectacle of more than one hun
hundred millions of population embraced
within the majestic proportions of the
American Union. IL is not merely as
an interesting topic of speculation tina, l
present these views for your considera-
tlon. They have important practical
bearings upon all the political duties we
are called upon 10 perform. Heretofore.
our system of government has worked
on what may be termed miniature
scale, in comparison with the develop
ments which il must thus assume within
future SO near at hand, as scarcely to
be beyond the present of the existing
government. -.. g., .r.-...... ,... ....
1t is evident that confederation SO
vast and SO varied both in numbers and
in territorial extent, in habits and in
interests, could only be kept in national
cohesion by the strictesl fidelity to the
principles Of the Cons Iiiu,ion, as under
stood by those who have adhered to the
most restricted construction of The pow
ers granted by the people and the States.
Interpreted and applied according TO
these principles, the great compact adapss
itself, with healthy ease and freedom, TO
an unlimited extension of tha, benign
system of federate government, Of which
il is oui glorious, and / trust immortal
charter. Lei US. then, with redoubled
vigilance. be on our guard against Yield
ing to the temptation of the exercise Of
doubtful powers, even under the pressure
Of the motives of conceded temporary
advantage and apparent temporary ex-
pediency. s.... ...... a.. -.a.......
The minimum of federal government
compatible with the maintenance of ma
,ional unity, and efficient action in our
relations with the rest of the world,
should afford The rule and measure OF
construction OF our power under the
general claims of the Constitution. The
spirit of strict deferanee 10 the sovereign
rights and dignity of every Stale. rather
than a disposition 10 subordinate the Stale
into provisional relation 10 the central
authority, should characterise our exer.
else of the respective powers temporarily
vested in US, as sacred trust, by The
generous confidence of our ns,ituents.
In like manner, as a manifeslly indis-
pensable condition of the perpeluIlon of
the Union, and of the realization of that
magnificent future adveried to. does the
duty become yearly stronger and clearer
upon us, as citizens of The several States,
to cultivate a fraternal and afectiuna,e
spirit, language and conduct, in regard TO
other States, and in relation TO The varied
interests, institutions and habits Of SEN
tmen. and opinions, which may, res.
peclively characterize them. Mutual
respect and non int rierence
in our personal action as citizens, and an
enlarged exercise of the most liberal
principles of comfy in The public deal
ings of State with State whether iI leg
isla,ion or in the execution of laws. are
the means to perpesuale ,ha, confidence
and fraternity, the decay Of which a
mere political union on so vast scale
could moi long survive.
In still another point Of view is an