The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-11-24
From the Scientific American.
s,s.o~v the Power of Nations

From the Scientific American.
Machinery the Power OF Nations
MANY entertain the opinion that the numoer u
inhabitants the climate, the extent OF ,eiii'o'
and The natural fruitfuIness of SOIL are the expo
nents OF nations power. II this were So '"ooo
nations would be the most powerful Whlc" PIo.
scssed the greatest number of inhabitants tue
LARGEST extent of territory, the finest climate, and
the richest SOIL But do we find this TO be true
respecting the nations OF the earth? No; some oil
the weakest and most depressed OF them, teem
with inhabitants, basking under the most serene
skies and walking upon the most extensive ana
fruitful plains. Look at China, Persia, and some
ofthe Indian kingdoms, in Asia; all Africa; SPAN
in Europe and Brazil in America, for proofs oil
this opinion. On the other hand, vlrtuous, indus
trious, and ingenious people will make any coun.
try great and powerful. Not without natural
resources to be sure, but what signifies an abun-
dance of natural resources in any country, unless
the people develope and apply them. 1t is there
fore the genius and the industry OF the people
which constitute the power and the wealth OF ma
tons. Take Great Britain of the present moment
because that couhtry presents prominent ex.
ample. lis population amounts to about twenty
and half millions, (20,536, $50 with only two
and seyen-tenths Of an Of land for each,
climate by no means genial, and soil not very
productive naturally. 1t maintains the largest
fleets that doated on the ocean since the
world began, and an army both large and eXpen.
siye. The annual revenue Of the general gov.
eminent amounts in round numbers TO about two
hundred and fifty millions of dollars, involving
tax Of moro than twelve dollars for each man,
woman, and child. Now, if we allow one fourth
of this popuiaton-a very fair esimate-as being
the actual producers il stands out in bold relief
that 5,l34,069, pay $3.50. 100000 Of taxes every
year TO the general government, besides support
ing all the rest OF the population, and paying the
great county and municipal taxations of the coun-
try. Is not this apparently wonderful and ex-
traordlnary thing in the eyes OF mon? But this
small army of workers cannot perform such won
ders; they cannot pay such taxes and support
such ornaments by the labors Of their own hands.
How, then, are all these things done !? By
chlnery; IN our day that country which employs
the greatest amount Of the best machinery in cv-
cry department Of industry, is the most powerful.
1t was calculated ten years ago that Britain had
manufacturing machinery in operation equal to
the labor of four hundred millions of men-near-
ly half the inhabitants Of the globe. This is the
secret of her power and ability to raise such ex-
traordnary revenues. The genius and industry
of her people have developed her natural resour-
ces, and smcH though she be in extent, the roun-
delay OF her DRUM beats morning march round
the globe. Our own country is extensive in do.
main, fruitful IN soil, varied in climate, has one.
fifth more inhabitants than Britain, and possesses
natural resources surprising those of all other ma
tons. Its commerce floats on every sea, its in.
habitants are ngeu!us, Intelligent, and industrious,
and Its moral and physical power is second to no
other nation. But without the great amount Of
useful machine power which our country possess
es-lhose Brarean hands of iron which spin,
weave sow, forge. grind, saw, plane, and hew-
our country would not be powerful, though its in
habants were twice as numerous, and lis natural
resources ten fold more abundant. Machinery,
thau oh fllan hx-sIa al
power Of modern nations, and its perfection and
multiplicity should be The aim and object Of every
citizen. New and useful inventions should there
fore be fosered and encouraged by all, and in.
ventors amply rewarded for their productions, be-
cause they are the sources Of national power.