Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-17
From the Scientific American.
Mae hfnery the Power OF Nntfons.

Many entertain the opinion that the number
of inhabitants, the climate, the extent of terri
tory, and the natural fruitfulness of soil, are
the opponents of nations power. Ifthis were
so, those nations would be the most powerful
which possessed the greatest number Of inhab-
itants the 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 of the weakest and most
depressed of them, TEEN with inhabitants, back
ing under the most serene skies, and walking
upon the most extensive and fruitful plains
Look at China, Persia, and some of the Indian
kingdoms, in Asia; all Africa Spain in Europe,
and Brazil in America, for proofs of this opin.
ion. On the other hand, virtuous, industri-
Gus, and ingenious people viii 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, I'M.
less the people develope and apply them. 1t is
therefore the genius and the industry of the
people which constitute the power and the
wealth Of nations. Take Great Britain at the
present moment-because that country pre-
sents a prominent example. It's population
amounts TO about twenty and half millions,
10, 536, 357) with only two and seyen.tenths
of an acre Of land for each, climate by no
means genial, and a soil not very productive
naturally. II maintains the largest fleets that
ever hoated on the ocean since the world be-
gan, and an army both large and expensive.
The annual revenue Of the general govern
ment amounts in round numbers to about two
two hundred and fifty million of dollars, in
volving a tax of more than twelve dollars for
each man, woman, and child. Now, if we al
low one fourth Of this population--a very fair
estimate-as being the actual producers, it
stands out in bold relief that 5,l34,0s9, pay
5000 900 of taxes every year TO the gene
raj government, besides supporting all the rest
Of the population, and paying the great county
and municipal taxations Of the country. rs
not this apparently wonderful and extraord-
nary thing in the eyes of men 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 machinery; in our day that country which
employs the greatest amount Of the best ma
chinery in every department of industry, is the
most powerful. II was calculated ten years ago
that Britain had manufacturing machinery in
operation equal to the labor of four hundred mil.
lions fmen--nearly half the inhabitants of the
globe. This is the secret of her power and
ability to raise such extraordinary revenues.
The genius and industry Of her people have de-
veloped her natural resources, and small though
she be in extent, the roundelay Of her drum,
beats morning march round the globe. Our
own country is extensive in domain, fruitful in
soil, varied in climate, has one-ffth more in.
habitants than Britain, and possesses natural
resources SURPRISING those Of all other nations.
Its commerce floats on every sea, its inhabi-
tants are ingenius, 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
possesses-those Briarean hands of iron which
spin, weave, SOW, forge, grind, saw, plane, and
hew--our country would not be powerful,
though its inhabitants we're twice as numerous,
and its natural resources ten fold more album
dant Machinery, then, is the foundation on
which rests the physical power Of modern ma