The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1857-07-22
bor the Lancaster Ledger.
" WESTWARD THE STAR OF EN-.
PlRE TAKES ITS WAY"

We are now landed safely upon Ameri-
can soil, and will continue our march
through wilderness whose only inhabi-
tants, is tho aboriginal red skin. 1t is then
with emotions that thrill! our hearts with
pleasure, that we turn from the contcm-
plation of oriental and European men and
things, to those of our own free and happy
land. Truly the star of empire travelled
with Our pilgrim fathers. when they cross>
ed the almost raekess ocean.
We can fancy this small group Of men
women ard children rs they stand on the
beach of the old world ready TO embark.
What thoughts crowded their minds 3
What noble feelings swelled their gallant
souls.
To mention the dangers of so hazardous
avoyage is unnecessary. We must behold
them when they land, wearied, sick and
dejected they si"k upon welcome soil,
iphnling with !he first breath the inspira-
lion OF liberty, procaming the principles
OF divine religion. Thus commenced n
government whose very corner stones was
laid under the influence of the Christian
religion.
stesring our course South wcstwardly
within the boundary of the United Repub-
lie, re pass by unnoticed the kingdom Of
Nontezeuma, Cortez's despotic career and
The realms OF South America. The revolt.
ing calamties unfortunate catastrophes and
the wonderful achievements, miraculous vic
torres, unanimity of action Of our prcdcces.
sors. and such scenes as above drlneatcd
should eauSa every true American 10 cher
lsh The hope Of happy futurity. A re-
Prospect of such "reminiscences as these
ought to resusctate in our hearts feelings
OF intiexibe patriotism. But The chivalric
southerner questions the cxpedency of en-
)0ying the future under the bane of the vile.
factious and diabolical aboliiionists of the
North, who denounce national laws made
for the security of Southern rirhts. mill
and void and insract them almos, daily.
in attempting to dissolve the prospect of
It's dim vista, we cannot but predict that
in the march of Empire southwark. slavery
will still recede from the middle states and
De established in our Mexican Territory,
hnaily, resulting in the amalgamation of the
African and some Of the Mexican blood
that the founda,ionIof this magnan;mous
fabric will be shaken by every effort to nd.
mit new State and perhaps issue in its
dlss2lutlon. ln sketching examples de-
monstratng the progreSs of mind and i'm
ProVcment, we refer you t. Washington,
Jackson. Clay, Polk, and n Prentess, who
all distinguished themselves in western ad-
ventures. The Pater Patrae on an errand
through the wilds and deserts of wilder.
ness, whose silence was cnly broken
by yels Of the Indian and howling Of
beasts to the Mississippi river. Jackson
went orth as the mighty herald of the law,
sometimes filling the offices of ATTORNEY, Ju.
Ey and Judge. James X. Polk as an unassun.
ing and ordinary limb of the law emipratcd
the same country and rose to the same ex-
nIted position. Clay, marched westward,
rose to distinction and left name immor.
talized. Prentess, who was scarcely excel.
ed in eioquenao, owed his glory to western
enterprise.
Alabama can boast of code Of laws
and authors Of law books, unsurpassed for
legal skill by any state in the Union. Texas
will soon figure in the way Of literary in
situations, as State worthy of high pQ
stlon in the Independent galaxy. Thus we
See that the marsh Of enterprise and civil.
zation has been perpetual and apparently
has almost reached its journeys end, which
inevitably will soon be consummated.
RIP VAN WINKIE.
LancastervilIe, July 22d, 1857.