Washington telegraph., 1853-12-14
Hugh Mia.er's Idea of America.

An interesting article, entitled, "Ameri-
cas- place in the Earth" recently appeared
in the "Edinburg Witness a paper of
HIGH standing. 1t is said to have been writ
ten by HUGH MILLER. Oar readers will
doubtless be interested to know what views
a clear-headed and lberal-minded Scotch
man entertains of the general character OF
our people, and of the mission which the
descendants of the early Anglo-Saxon set
tiers on this continent are destined TO accom-
plish, and we therefore copy large portion
of the paper referred to
Boston Watchmon
''From the East and the mighty move
ment of which it has so suddenly become
the scene. it is not unnatural perhaps that
we should turn to the very opposite extrem-
ity of the globe, and observe what is pass
ing there. In that division of the world,
a land till very recently covered with for
ests and trodlen only by the Indian, has
now become the seat Of powerful nation.
The predictions advances in art, in wealth
and in political influence which the Ameri
can people have lately made render it indu-
bitable that the nation is destined to play
a most important part in the future history
OF the world The sceptre Of the globe is
fast passing away from Europe Britain
excepted, Europe has lost the power of
originating or heading any great movement.
The malign influence which has crampei its
intellect and genius, sappcd its liberty, and
overwhelmed its bright day of art and civ
illzation in night Of barbaric darkness, it
is Dot difficult to divine But other races
are starting mp TO grasp the sceptre which
the old Latin and Celtic nations have let
fall. Foremost in this great work is the An
glo-Saxon race and of that great family
the American branch is now scarce content
to hold second place. America is plainly
challenging Britain to show cause why she
should longer affect the position of guiding
the destinies of mankind, and why she
should not resign that honorable post to her
sister on the other side of the Atlantic
The contest will be a severe one The vast
and fertile area occupied by the American
people, and their exemption from many Of
those political and monetary Burdens which
press upon ourselves give them great ad-
vantages. They have moreover, youth on
their side which is no small matter to ma
tioD any more than to an Individual. The
Americans are inspired by the consciousness
that they have great ends as people TO full
fill and they have come into the world in
an age eminently favorable to the concention
and The execution of great and generous en-
terprises. The contest. we say, will be
severe one and if Britain would keep
abreast of her noble rival, she must be con-
tent in some instances to learn from her
she must not disdaiH in others to initiate her:
she must not permit the contracting passion
of jealousy to influence her, but she must
surrender herself to the expanding feeling
of admiration and love. She must bring
all her resources into play-her political re-
sources, her commercial resources, and es-
pecially the marvellous inventive powers.
and the rich massy genius of her sons
And she must appear to strive, not to be the
conqrcror of America, or even the rival of
America, so much as her coadjutor in the
noble task Of shedding the light of civilza--
ton and art and especially Of Christianity.
over the world.
America is young, and on that ground we
may be permitted to regard her with a
little more of both interest and anxiety
She is at stage in her career where she is
learning principles and forming habits which
are to communicate a character TO her peo-
pie, and abide with them forever. There
is a dangerous age in the life Of a nation, as
in that of the individual but, if we mistake
not, America has got over that critical pc
riod, and has got we'll over it. 1t was 9th
eIwise half century ago. At that time
inGdelitv was the universal creed Of conti-
mental Europe; and the inflelity or rather
We should say atheism, which demolished
the altar and the throne in the Old World,
found means of propagating itself in the
New. The same creed which found such a
host of brilliant advocates and devoted be-
levers here. had also its admirers and fol-
lowers IN America. It lad hegnn to faint
the legislation and literature of hat young
State, and to sow, as the bsst friends of
Amerlca feared, the seeds Of early dissolu-