Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-09-19
THURSDAY, SEPT. IA, 1854.
OUR COUNTRY.

1t is astonishing with what rapidity our country
has grown from infancy into the giant man.
Starting with only thirteen States, few in num-
bers, and tottering beneath the weight of seven
years. war, she has gone forward, adding State
after State, until now America occupies the most
commanding position of any nation on the globe.
Little did those who first trod our soil dream Of
such result. Little did mother England imagine
that her child, whom she attemptedto chastise for
dsobedience, would grow up to rival her in great
ness, aye, to outstrip her in power and influence.
Little did the old musty monarchs of Europe, sup
pose that what they deemed a hazardous underta-
king, would prove gloriousreality- reality of
self -government-the reality of republicanism-
the reality of living on soil unpolluted by the
tread of tyrants-the reality of breathing the
pure air of freedom. That small band of veteran
men who dared to proclaim their rights and then
defend them, has passed away, but the seed sown
fell on good ground, and from it sprung gigan-
tic tree whose branches extend nearly all the
North American Continent. 1t is still in its vgor,
still fourishing, still destined to extend its arms,
so that beneath its shade, the nations now strug-
Cling to be free, may cluster and sing peans to
the Goddess of Liberty.
Our country is onward. Nothing can stay her
march, for the hand of God points to her final
destiny. She is yet to become the mightiest of
all nations great moving power, into which
other nations will merge and wipe out forever the
last yestige of barbaric, brutal age. Then will
her mission be fulilled-then will Liberty triumph
over Oppression, and the brightest hopes and
wishes of our pilgrim fathers, be most signally re-
allied.
We have been induced to make these remarks
from perusal of the following facts concerning the
resources of our country. They foreshadow all
that we have predicted for her, and even more,
for if we progress in the same ratio for the next
fifty wears as we have in the past, America will
become the greatest, the most powerful and the
most influential nation that ever existed.
oThe United States are composed Of thirty-one
States and nine [seven] Territories.
They contain population Of 25,OOO,OOO, OF
whom Fl 100000 are whites.
The extent of sea coast is l2,669 miles.
The length Of it's ten principal rivers is 2O,OOO
miles.
The surface Of the five great lakes is 10000
square miles.
The number of miles of railway in operation is
10000, which cost $600,0OO,OOO.
The length of its canals IS o,OOU miles.
1t contains the longest railway on the globe
the Illinois Ccntral-which is I3l miles.
The annual value Of its agricultural produc-
tons is $500, 100000.
Its most valuable production is Indian Corn,
which yields annually $4OO, 100000.
The amount Of registered am enrolled tonnage
is 4, ,407 ,0l0 tons.
The amount of capital invested in manufactures
is $600,OO0,0OO.
The amount of it's foreign imports in 1858, was
$267 ,97S ,947 ,-and of its exports, 10
The annual amount of its internal trade is
Scoo, ,ooo, ,Ooo- ------
The annual value of the products of labor
(othcr than AGRICULTURAL is 81 ,5O0,OOO,OOO.
The annual value of the incomes of their In
habitants is $l,OOO,O00,0 1000.
The value Of its farms and live stock is $5,-
OO0,000,OOO.
Its mines of gold, copper, lead and iron are
among the richest in the world
The value of the gold produced is $lOO 1000, 600.
The surface of its coal fields is l33,l3l square
miles.
Its receipts from customs, lands, &C., in 1852,
was $6l ,372, ,274 and its expenditures 43 1868
Within her borders are 81 900 schools, 6,O6O
academies, 234 colleges, and $500 churches.
OF its white inhabitants, 100000 OF its q,
100000 are native born"