Columbia gazette., 1854-03-25

latcrs an Erisson in the field, reducing
the invisible air into subjection. Not
speeding his sails to court the hayward
breezes, and speed onward as its change
full vacillations will permit, on ocean S
bosom to his Gestination-bu he has
deprived the air of its freedom, and con-
fning it in iron shackles, endowed it
with a breathing power, and with its
iron lungs compelling it to yield submis-
sion and carry man its conqueror with
er his wishes direct And yet more: We
have the startling proposition form one
| who has more than a hundred times al
ready cleft the air with bird like flight,
and sailed among the clouds, above the
Eagles soaring: we have from him pro-
position, and no, ''the baselcss fabric of
a vision" to curb his flying steed, and in
the space of three short days compel its
fight through mid-heaven, high DER At
lantie's boistrous wave, and safely land
within these girt cliffs Of Albion's Isle
But We have another devclopemcnt Of
this versatility in the character Of the
pioneer of our "backwoods" and praiiies
Of the interior continent; he who dwells
where nature is yet uneultiyatcd, and
eo-habits with the warning fortunes of
the Red man of the forest, he who pio-
neers the way for civilization, the
fLeather Stocking Of the west, en-
vclopcd in mixed and mongrel costume
of civilized and Of savage make, his ap-
pearancc is cmblematic of his own mix
ed character, and while he retains his
civilization he cxecls even the red man,
in the acuteness Of his physical scnscs,
in tracing his enemy Or pursuing his
game, by those apparently invisible
marles on the green sward, or dry rust
ling leaf, Or barren rock known only to
the red man, but in which he is soon ex-
cclled By his competitor, whose energy
enables him quickly in all the features
Of savage life, to leave the native In
dian far behind.
And while in these many and varied
fields the versatility Of our energy adapts
itself and outstrips all, whether in the
pursuit of commerce, On the battle field,
or competing with the native of the for
est, this versatility has equally adapted
itself to the production of minor matters
which contribute to the wants of man.
Not only the stupcndous and pondcrous
engincry of steam, not only to chaiu and
curb the lightning, and subdue the an;
but the power of the Press has been
multiplied to an almost inconccivable
extent and scatters its influence broad
cast upon our nations, as it docs upon
no other; and even the thousand and one
minor inventions Of the day are revolu-
tionizing society in all its branches.
Especially prolific have beer. The pro-
ductions of our brethren of the Eastern
States, and useful too even down to the
production of the himself & commonpl.
Yankee clock, which is found in almost
every hamlet the world over, and some
have even assured our Eastern friends
(entirely and wlcharitably of course) of
producing unspicy nutmegs not of lcgit-
innate growth; handsomely rounded and
well shaped hams Of woody fibre; and
elegant combs from the tortisc shell,
which would not bear shower, without
dissolving in some fair Southern lady's
ringlcts, all of which only illustrates the
versatility of our genius which cannot be
confined to the ordinary ways and ma
terials Of nature.
But where has our subject been so
powerfully illustrated as in this land of
gold. When the indacement ofits golden
treasures were brought to light, it was
land without inhabitants; and without
culture; now, I need not describe it, it
is before you, look at the contrast, and
where can we find more powerful
stronger illustration, not only Of the in-
domitable energy of American character,
but the versatility Of that energy, ad-
apting itself, no matter what had becr