Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-06-10
Territorial Aggrandizemcnt
il excellent


To use it like giant.
Anation's strength is estimated by its area
of acres and the military ability of its pop
ulation. The high state Of civiliz alton that
people acquire in the scafe of human in.
telligeree and intellectual power is not taken
into consideration while arranging the posi-
tion nation is to occupy in the worlds es-
nation. This classification is the sole work
Of public opinion. And this mighty dis
penser of power, has not yet learned to
judscof nations greatness and a: nations
influence BY its commanding might of mind.
Civilization is not far enough advanced to
demand the right of a peoples occupying q
position in the worlds esteem above that
which it acknowledges as due to territorial
power and military skill.
Consequently we see that Russia -barba-
rian as she is-stands FIRST among the sor-
origins of the world, solely on account of her
vast acres and millions of inhabitants. But
instead Of commanding by the intellect, she
commands by the bayonet- instead Of gov
erning obedient subjects, she degradss op-
pressed bondmen instead Of encouraging
science and the fine arts, she Furnishes even
those OF her subjects that dare suggest the
idea--instead of educating her people and
clevating them above the brute creation,
she inbors to sink them far deeper in ignor-
ance and barbarian. And vet snch IL the
chara ,ter of the people the world designates
the ss6rst" of sovereignties. This may
show a vitiated taste on the part of that
great and distinguished parsonage, ssPub-
lie Opinion,' but nevertheless by it's stern
dictates Dire We so be governed and inHu-
enced.
Such, then, bcibg the inevitable conclusion
deduced from Che experience and ohserya-
ton of all ages, it behooves the United
States to look well to this branch of nation.
al influence. II the power and greatness
Of nations are to be estimated according to
thsir area OF territory and number o inhab-
itants, then this fact should be an incentive
for our government to increase her terrific
rial power. Butt understand US, thisshould
be an incentive only and never a paramount
object. God forbid, that we should so far
forget our humanity as to advocate terrific
rial sggrandizcment for the avowed pur pose
of the realization of mere sordid and self
ish ends. Whatever our country labors to
accomplish, it should always be prompted
by high and holy motives that would be
worthy the attention of great and pros
porous nation.
Unless wc are selfish to deplorable ex-
tent, We should labor to extend to people
that are tyrannized and oppressed tho same
form of government that has rendered us as
. people so emine.ltIy prosperous md hap
py.s We oasght not to be content with the
exalted position tho world is compelled to
grant US, and remain inactive while the
children Of OPPRESSION and despotism, i'm
plore us for succor and assistance We do
not advocate the interventioa of our govern
lnent with foreign powers for the purpose Of
compelling some relentless despot to respect
the we'll regulated laws Of natl ,nY. We
wish to have our government confne itself
to perform ng acts Of charity nearer home.
This boundless continent of ours comprises
field wide enough and the work to be per-
formed is vast enough to call into vigorous
action the entire energies Of our conntry.
hut we will be plain. We will talk round
the subject no longer.
The Sandwich. Islands, fearing . seisure of
their powcrless forces by some European
power, have signihed their willingness and
desire to become part and parcel Of the
Emitted States. To this We have no objec-
tion. Their position inrespect to the shale
fshersies and their central situetioa in the
great thoroughfarc. between the Asiantis
ei.ieSand. asia and Australia; their earnest
desire to become annexed to this country
far ths reason that the establishment Of a
government similar to oar own would b or =
inently con.luciye TO their welfare md hap
riness; OH the Territorial power AID wealth
fSsy possess, all taken together should be
nrgmmsnsy of sufficient weisht to insure her
speedy anne xatioa.
Cubs, the ''quaeu of tbs Antilles is rap