The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-08-11
HE r EPU BLIC.
FOR THE REPUBLIC.
Roads.


Roads. u # III
If any one feature in the history of modern en-
terprise demands, deserves, and must receive pre-
emlnence, it is the increasing attention to roads
and prominently rairoads-which latter class of
improvements, if the last in gaining public atten-
ton, is destined to be in many respects of far SUI
perior Importance to not only the turnpike road /,
but to navigabe rivers and canals. Such state
ment when first heard may startle; but though
demanding no miracle, its fulfment is destined
to be the glory Of the last half Of the current
fury This Improvement on road systems is de-
stlned to make land more-on given distances-
naylgabe in safety, speed, and security of arrival
ut stated points, in given time, than human power
can ever effect seas, oceans, lakes, or rivers.
II those positions be realized, then one of
the greatest improvements ever made in the con-
dition of mankind is yet to be accomplished The
first ship navigated by means of the mariners
compass over narrow decided tho problem
that countless thousands of other vessels, SINH
larry constructed and guided, could be navgated
over the widest ocean. ~
We are therefore on the dawn of one of those
great and reversible changes which must give
increased power to all coming generations of man,
and reduce comparatively former ages to infan-
tile weakness and imbecity.
Europe, by the Dictionary of Geography, Lon
don, 1850, contained an aggregate population of
249 1897 900 inhabitants, an area of 3, 1916, 709
square miles, giving distributve population of
&c to the square mile. On the most restricted
comparative measurement, that part of North
America which, in all human probability, is des-
,l.I L..
Saxons, will rather exceed than fall short of
double the area, and in respect to habitable acii
ties equal space compared with Europe, surface
compared with surface.
Proceeding on these data, and adopting what
has been deduced from analysis of the census
of the United States, or an increment OF ONE
THIRD DEcENNIALLY, when would the United
States population amount to an aggregate equal
to that stated for Europe, as quoted above from
the Dictionary of Geography
On the principles by which, from the census
returns, have dcduced the ratio of increase of
ono third dcccnnally, the aggregate Of 1850 will
amount to 4O5, $4,000. Pause, reader, and await
results. About eight or nine years will bring
forward the time of the census of 1860, which,
from the system on which this communication is
founded will give 80, 508 $40; or one-third in
crease ON the aggregate of 1850. General atten-
ton has never yet been extended to the results of
the census to any amount adequate to its bearing
on the history of the nation, and indeed on the
world ... m. ". .- ... ".a ..a#
1t is more than simple inattention to the real
irresistible and irreversible changes in operation
on the extremes of the civilized world. Those
persons who carp at inquiries into the inevitable
changes, the silent work of time, would be, for
their own instruction, quite as well employed on
inquiries into the phenomena which operates and
produces influences on their every interest, what
ever regard or disregard they may themselves ex-
hibt.
The proud lordlings of Great Britain lost that
region on which we are now descanting because
they were wise in their own way, and now there
are others in fair train to share the bitter fruits
of folly of the very same nature, origin, and ten
dency.
The people of the United States have another
career to pursue, more sure of reward, and that
reward the most glorious of all conquests-a tri-
umph over Nature. ... ...a .
1t has been remarked that the discovery of new
appliances of the laws of nature, and the simulta
neous discovery of new fields of application, have
been in most striking manner displayed in re-
gard to the propulsive properties of steam. OF
Ill parts of the EARTH North America presents in
the most expansive theatre of action;
ind there only, on earth, can be opened system
If railroads or widely extended land system of
between the two great oceans
which battle the eastern and western shores of this
great continent. On earth, where but in Ameri
ca can be opened not one but system of railroads
from ocean to ocean, opening widely land in
accommodation by means more rapid in mo-
,on over like spaces, on the earth, and more sure
IF arrival at given time and place, than can ever
30 accomplished with ships oceans or seas'
Nor have the least doubt but that the time will
come when America will be in every respect more
luvigablc than human power can effect on
In equal surface of sea; and that the time
will come when the Atlantic ocean will be re-
yarded as far more difficult, dangerous, and tedi
BUS to pass over than North America. y.
UNcIRr.rNry OF THE LAw.-A laughable illus
ration of the heading of this article occurred in
illinois lately as will be by the following