Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-02-03

Tho accounts received from the South Seas inform us
that Louis Napoleon has through naval force, taken
formal possession Of New Caledonia island about
the size of St. Domingo, lying just above the tropc
of Capricorn and about 900 miles east Of Australia.
Tho ntmaton to be given, moreover, that it
purposed by the French Emperor to proceed in the
good work Of annexng all the beautiful Islands which
lie clustering around it
New Caledonia is island of English discovery,
and bears British name, but it is still occupied
ciusvely by the native inhabitants and has been
taken formal possession of by the British government
save such rs Capt Cooke took by discovering and
landing on its shores
The English have no doubt some good pretensions
To it, or think they have. The French found il,
waf on the ocean, and have appropriated it them
selves
Some quarrel or perhaps some diplomacy between
the two governments will most likely grow out Of it
In these days of annexation, and colonization and
enterprise, it was hardly to be expected that Napo
leon iii. should not desire to gather some of the
fruits which falling so profusey into the laps of
other nations.
This new absorption of territory long lain in the
darkness and Incidence and vice of untold centuries
oy European power, is suggestive of some rciiec-
ions calculated to stir the deepest feelings of every
lover Of light, and progress and civilization.
Ancient civilization arising in the cast, as is now
generally supposed in the Delta Of the Ganges, has
travelled gradually westward, improving as it adj
Vanced through the lapse of centuries until it seems
now in the form Of what call modern civilization
fast returning on itself-having circled the globe,
and radiating as it went.
Little more than two hundred years ago modern
civilization land by it we mean modern science mod
ern arts and christianity was confined to few coun.
tries oil Europe, and even these under sort of para
fysis' The whole vast continents OF America. Asia
ana Africa had either only the civilization of two thou
sand years ago or were else sunk into absolute bar la
ris In all those vast masses of the globe there was
nor as we now remember, one single radiating point
oi modern civilization. There was was not one yed
permanent light to cheer the Surrounding darkness
Even LORD Bacon In his earlier life could turn his
globe, and except in EWope, his eye would light ON NJ
spot where he could hope that the PRINCIPLES
ana teachings of his immortal works could be
comprehended. 1t is true there were fitting T.b,s
passing to and fro through the more enlightened nor
IONS OF these regions-travellers and missionaries
and Mariners whom science, or gain or odv.n,,,-.
or religion, induced to peril themselves Bn. sneoL
ng IN general terms, save Europe, the world slum.
bered in night Of moral and social d,rl,,aSs H.,
l.
ring all this period civilization was strpgg,r,. ~
1t is now struggling, to perfect itself for lis crco,
WORK oil human regeneration. 1t was in travail nm
III the day OF its mission should come Nations roso
and Tell, science was slowly progressing, inventions
were being made until the magnetic needle the rrcs
ana steam, had so far advanced it as to enable il 70
make agsressions on the domains of darkness.
Fancy Lord Bacon, to-day, again on the earth, re-
hat 4 Il i
spo.s would meet his eye where before there wa
,'.n'"s ou' dense darkness or glimmering twi
light. wv
ine "hoie American continent blazing with the
"si' Of modern civilization. A b,lt of fixed radatine
Pohs-a Gordon of Bude lights surrounding and
els Veioping the ancient civilization of Asia and
the an sient degradation of Africa. An.,i-
can civilization in the Pacific strcaminc, ovcr
h'o Asias eastern sidc-Brtish and American c;vi
lHauon IN her very heart, in China, in Burnab in
inda' not mere ignes fatu but permanent rad,t;ng
points OF light French civilization in Nortbcr, AZ
rica' Dutch in Southern America and British on bor
coast ut Liberia, Sierra Leone and other poins And
III Inc Islands IF the we behold the American and
British and French flags waving together over tbcir
dusky inhabitants.
"hat may not be expected, when all these for
ueSSes oil civilization and science if we NAV a coli
theh' open conformity their batteries on the world
VINO uouots that they will do and arc doing this to
some extent?
" "e 'lat IN the march OF the triumphal car of |
cNilizahon, we behold some Of the nations of the |
ea'h crushed under its wheels The Asiatic Indian |
hhd the American Indian have suffered terriby-per.
maps may be extinguished No doubt cruelties and |
wrongs nave been practiscd. But Providence uses |
us own means TO accomplish its own ends and out |
oi evil ever finally extracts harvest of good WRONGS
and injuries and lines are at last but te Hind cor
wants and unconscious ministers that wait on trutb
andr right and virtue
Old Burton in his Anatomy Of Melancholy. quantity
says somewhat to this effect "As out of serocnts,
scorpions and poisonous herbs often wholesome me.
ornaments for the health of mankind arc extracted
80 out Of every evil thing some good may be obtain-
cd How much more comprchensiply true is this
'e evils winch the relentless and crushing tread Of
modern civilization leaves behind it?
What farmer fails to fallow his field because far
s'otn the toad, the worm, the mole are ruined and
oestroyed-their habtatons broken up-by the
Keen tooth OF the plough What farmer hestates to
%" MS seed, because perchance, cookies may grow
among the real grain?
we know subject like this is but little fitted to
'ne hssto and pressure of daily journal. A mere
glance at it, is all that be given yet we could not
resist the temptation to throw out these cursory re-
Elections.
" ihc present worthy First Auditor, Robert John
on resigns his ofice-tbo resignation to take effect tho
l" OF March The Legislature have adopted Joint reso
luton to proceed to the election Of Secretary of the CO
non"ea'b' la aud I'd Auditors &C. on the 9th instar
We arc not spprised whether Il Is CONTEMPLATED IN o Il