The Washington union., 1857-04-25


world of trade In furtheance of that trade she has
contributed the skill and the services of her chief
gineer of hydraulic works. The King Of the Meth
erlands has appointed select committee, consist
ing Of the ministers Of commerce. industry, and pub
lie works. who are enjoined TO inquire into the con-
sequences which the opening of the Egyptian canal
is likely 10 work the navigation and trade of
power which, in Malaysia, still possesses the isles Of
Sunda and Batavia and nearly controls the commerce
of Japan. These possessions Of Holland, which,
within the last third Of century, have received
forward impetus have more than doubled in their
productive capacity.
Such are the facts which look as in the face
facts against which we may not close our eyes,
in wilful blindness The mere announcement
of free, navigabe way, offered TO all the maritime
powers, including, through wecombined system
of railroads. all the inland nations of Europe, has set
them in fever Of excitement and hope. Each is
grding itself TO struggle in this theatre Of renewed
activity and TO gather in the advantages which are
TO be shared by all the competitors, each in pro-
portion with his genius and his enterprise
In this great exodus Of human industry--in this
remunerative and civilizing invasion of the East
shall ours be, the only unrecorded name--the only
unexerted energies2 Europe, man, leaps in
rapture at the idea of canal across the isthmus of
Suez, connecting, by that point, with the already
constructed Alexandria and Cairo railroad. And we
who have better than three isthmuses own
contnent--two channels of communication, all but
made ours by the rights of American industry and
a mortgage to American capital-a third guaranteed
bxa ali of doll
but forfeited to by the violation of laws, human
and Diyine--we, in the vigor Of national youth
in the afluence of national power, remain in a
condition Of apathy when the Old World is under
going the renovating myth of Jason, and making gal
vanic efforts to acquire that which we but have to
stretch our hands to secure!
Our Pacific possessions look directly upon this
coveted East. The rudiments Of Atlantic and Pacific
communication, overland, now about to be deyel
oped will give them an additional Importance, to
be enlarged with the enlarged necessities of inter-
course. This, however, may answer for home con-
sideration and home policy but the natural via
duct of our commerce and industry is across
those unmstakable highways, which Nature her
self has marked out for their diffusion and spread,
under the triumph of mans ingenuity Whether
through these transit routes or over the bay OF San
Francisco, the result is bound to be the From
the margins Of the latter, the hand Of Providence
seems to have scattered along succession Of innu-
merablc islands, as many stepping-stones for the
advancement Of our commerce and the spread Of our
influence These natural, obvious facilities invite
MS to the task-they challenge us to the easy oon-
quest Of advantages which Europe is now
sraining to attain. And yet, for people who
have faith, and justly have faith in themselves we
seem to have fallen into the fatalism Of those
worn-out nations Of the East, and to be awaiting
until some providential interpositon shall induct
u.s. without own eKertians, into that career Of
grandeur for which we marked by every tenden
cy of our institutions and every element Of char
acter This should not, and it must nat ho On the
great field of commercial competition in the East
energies must match the energies Of Europe Let her
go to quarter of the globe other than her to
make an outlet for them. For our part, let our
motto be data tata seetaaa; and we must carry ont
those destines through those channels which are
more obviously defined in the physical confguration
of our continent. Those desnicsare happily within
the control of tho good and sagacions men now at
the head Of our government. In them we have every
reliable confidence. We know that they are not
only alive to the instant interests Of the country but
solictous ALSO we fell convinced for the welfare Of
generations yet to come.
There is not one Of them but brings to tho dis.
charge Of his duties experience and craftsmanship
matured by years Of faithful and distinguished SER
vice The questions Of the day do moi come up be-
fore them with the character Of novelty, Those inn
mediately connected with these remarks have we
are assured, long before this, passed through tho
process of their analysis the easier therefore, their
deliberations and the safer be conclusions to which
they may come. Under all circumstances, however
the matter commends itself 10 prompness and ener-
gy. We do not altogether advocate the application
of the words of the parable compel them ia came
in to the races which control the portions Of this
continent where ths more favorable outlets of trade
are placed, and yet which seem ~ bqll back from
the enlarged circle Of industry and comforis TO
which they are invited by the enterprise and activity
of the age. Still we not ready TO assert that il
is either expedent just that they should oppose
an inert power against their advance We may,
with the infinite resources Of diplomacy at com
mand without derogation to tho rights Of natonai-
ties level down barriers against the continuance Of
which not the mere considerations Of self but the