Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-06-13
From Tho \. y. Commercial and Enquirer.


AusrRALrAS PROoRrss-one whose faith ia the destiny
OF firmly settled may derive profit from
studying tho history Of Australian progress The Anglo
Saxon has been thrown Into dreary wilderness and
rounded with all tho difficulties aud dangers incident to
pioneer lie large portion of the carly settlers were
convict transported from the As England. aud mburd
with all the vices OF civilization; the laws OF the Colony
made by those who necessarily ignorant Of the
character and wants of the community aud executed by
others irresponsible for their conduct save to distant
authority Tho material of tho carly population was bad
and the legislation of the colony tended in respects
to hamper its material prosperity, by impeding the free
settlement of the Crown lands and yet we already see
there empire which possesses the expansive vitality and
enduring soldty Of the British aud American natious-
These attributes have never been exhibited in higher
degree than at the present momeut Immediately
ing TO struggle of class interests similar those which
produce revolution in Paris or pronuncismeuto in the
Spanish States.
We commented in article some time since upon the
excitement occasoucd in Sydney of the cost
made by portion Of the wesher classes supported by
the government officials provide, in the proposed new
constitution for the creation Of titled aud hereditary
biiy The evident opposition of public sentiment in the
colonies combined with the dictates of the British nobility
to submit such rcica carcstuc have tho alb
surdty OF the scheme, and the popular mind
upon that point Changes have been effected in the pol
tor disposing OF the lands, whereby the settle
and development of the agricultural regions are pro-
inotcu Throughout the colonies generally and
ldsrly in the mining districts of Victoria and in the ag
rcultural section OF New South Wales there appears TO
he entire absence Of that political excitement aud pop
uar discomfort, which threatened than &C.
casion during the past TO bring the people in coils
ion with the colonial authorities
The Australian mind, like that Of England and Ameri.
appears to feel necessity for absorbing object
of pursuit, and The political excitement ia nov followed
by increased activity social and industrial
School houses and temperance leagues railway, mining
and agricultural operations are pushed ahead with in
creased zeal aud energy
The Australian press is actively engaged in shaping
out practical scheme for system of railroads adequate
to the wants of widely scattered population Aspriyate
enterprise is entirely unable to the necessities the
IS o6vious that Government aid is necessary
the completion OF general system OF internal improve
meut But Colonial Jealousy Of Government influence is
too grca; TO allow the rulers Of the Colonies build and
control great system OF railways. 1t could be ac-
ccptabc TO the nticentrazng tendency of the public
mind. Ii is urged BY the liberal journals that private en-
erprise should be LEFT free to- work out the internal devcl
opmen OF the country but that should be aided by
era grano Of the crown lands according to the policy OF
the government OF the United Staies The articles OF the
allan press frequently reproductions of the argu
by which American justify the practice
OF granting lands 10 RAILROAD companies for the purpose OF
promoting the settlement oi the public domain, and the
policy appears TO be becoming equally popular in that
mote region.
The steady growth of the country based upon too So
lid foundation TO be checked by any temporary hCcua
tops OF the mining The is extensively cul-
tivated, and If believe the numerous
writers, cotton planting will eventually prove profitable
a
lug editorial upon this topic, and makes the following
statement
1--WE persuaded that cotton growing might be made
most profitable occupation North Australia Mr.. Am.
brose Edridge, who has tried the experiment a small
scale-on only five of land-realzed a net profit
after making every Necessary allowance, of 81 per
the capital invested, and this under all the dsadvanta
ges of high priced labor and OF knowledge and
perence in the cultivation. Now take that one grain
OF practice in such matters better than Fights
of theory and look upon Mr. Edridgos experiment As
i i'm dis.
tricts would be highly remuneratve"
Whatever may be the advantages of climate and soil
possessed by Northern Australia for Gotten growing the
amount thrown into the of the world must bc
Insignificant long the gold mines of Victoria in
existence, and wages range at the present exavagan
nte5.
One great element of the prosperity of the Colonies il
active AMI iegiving press The leading journals are
respectable limitations OF the London press, and discuss
the preat social and political questions Of in AL
able and conservative style. Australia /. entering
upon the course hch America has already run Her
march to prosperity aud greatness will be comparave,
slow, but equally certain and her fortune ouly be
known 10y searching out secrets Of English and American
greatness. With free, energetic, and expanding
people, and continent of bouUdess extent fertility ana
resources, its future can be but dmly oreshadowed