The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-07-26
ed her armies nj q hundred battles,

LED her srmies ut q hundred battles. We
should not omit here TO notice the very
unequal distribution Of wealth in England
and the unhappy influences which, this
produces. This can answer no
higher purpose than to crafty family
pride. which exists among the nobility OF
England. and can but result in the accu-
mutation OF . few private fortunes at the
expense of the great body of the nation.
Thus we see that the peouniary affairs Of
England. like her political aud social af.
fairs. are governed by extremes. IF she
furnishes examples Of surprising splendof.
she also furnishes examples Of poverty al
most beyond belief. The palace Of the
royal and the splendors which attend them,
are surrounded with abodes Of perfect
misery; and while the tolls of one man
gain him but a scanty subsistence. the
other rolls in affluence and luxury com.
paratively at the expense Of the former.
The hindrances at which | have thus
glanced. as arising out OF the political in
slitutions Of the Old World. are but few
OF those which actually exist. They have
grown up in long course Of years and
have been hallowed by age and made
venerable by antiquity; and they will not
cease TO exist. until some great political
convulsion shall re.organize society and
tear up the foundation Of long established
,yrsnnies. and Eprostrate in one common
ruin the fruits and prejudices OF centuries.
In turning to inquire how Tar the insti-
tutions Of our country operate as encour-
agement to enterprise. it is not to be ex.
pecied that within tie limits of an exercise
like this,l can do more than to glance a,
asfew of the mos, prominent aspects OF the
The. differences existing between the
Old World and our country are by no
means confined 10 dissimilarity in political
institutions. .5sa
We are. comparatively. q young nation
inhabi,ing new portion Of the globe. The
spirit of enterprise which prompted the
first settlers OF this country to dare the
dangers and difficulties which they en-,
couniered. has been transmitted to their
descendants. The grestlove which draws
the oppressed Of every cline to seek sheI
ter under the Stars and Stripes. borne aloft
by the untired Eagle. (our national en-
blems,) still exists in the bosom Of every
true American, as firm as when our lore.
fathers shouIdered the musket. and raised
the sword in their country's defence.
That ever-burning love of liberty and
religious freedom. which sustained the pill
grims across the painless ocean. to land
upon an unexplored shore and erect iheir
standard upon Plymouth Rock, and wor-
ship the God OF nature upon natures own
altar. has lost none Of its vigor in its trans.
mission to the present time. Sfssi 2ss,s'i.
The vast extent and natural condition
oil our country both tend to encourage the
spirit Of enterprise. A centurypgo our
settlements were principally upon the sea
coast, but within the space Of one hun.
dred years the march Of Improvement has
been onward. They have extended from
the waters Of the Atlantic to the Valley o.
the Mississippi. Yes, they have CROSSED
the, Rocky, Mountains. and its march was
still onward until it reached the Pacific
and there. not to be baffled. its course was
turned sou,hwardly; then penetrating into
the interior until it reache,l the land q
gold-,he Valley Of the Sacramento, where
thousands, are at the present day seeking
to share the favors OF fortune. In it's marcf
IL has left traces that will mark its way fo
centuries to come. / mean its improve
ments--ihe speedy transportation of pas
sengers and merchandise by steam. .and
communication from one place 10 another
by the electric telegraph. or these, to
tgether with our natural and artificial riv
ers snd steam navigation, we may b.
proud; for they are lasting monuments o
American improvement and American en-
terprise. To gain these as . people on
effort has been great. and we have beer
re~srded in exact proportion to the amour
Of effort expended afafa 30 ,4sii8a
| The Valley Of the Mississippi also offer
great inducements to effort. Tho West
the great. unsubdred West, opens broa,
her arms for oriherecep.ion OF every adyen
,urous spirit. She points him to her males
tic lakes and mighty rivers, and he appre
Fciates their advantages for inland nayiga
tion. She reminds him Of her wealth con
tanned in the boundless praifies and exten
tsive wood lands and she.also ore.tells he
growing political power. and prophecie
that in . aquarter of q century. tho destinie
Of this nation will depend upon the heart
and hands. of the aWest--andl lthe enter
prising emigrant gloriss in the possibilit,
that exists, land tho probability which h
fancies that it may be his sphere 10 direc
tho transactions ofy this, portion Of tn
country for the prosperity of the Who'll
union. ssa.siis ssaas9 sgs 81 gssIfl1o
This probability Of reward addrssse
/ itself 10 ihe. strongest feelings Of our ma
ture. and its operations are forcibly show
in thai portion Of our political linsiiiution
that abolish all distinction except thos
founded upon merit, and fendersthe wealt
and honors and emoluments OF the Ian
accessible to all.ifl1o ssai4taeh sa'f II
j We have already glanced at the condi
i ton Of the laboring classes underdespoti
rulers, and We need but extend the exam
Iination into England and lFranosito max
q comparison and show the superiority Z
our governmsnt and institutions. In IN
item of wages The. difierencssis almostin
|credible. France contains Z. populatio
Of 40. 600. 600, and out sof this numbe
I9, ,000. 900 are compelled to. subsist npo
Iths sum Of $4,000 per tannnm, and 60
I0oO, 600 more Of her Inhabitants are CON
|pellsd, 10 snbsist upon the small pittano
t>e e. l.. L. n