The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-03
THE PROGRESS OF POPULATION IN THE UNITED
STATES 81


We republish from the Albany Atlas and Argus q
suggestive article the progress Of population in
this country and its effect upon eur political system
1t is not to be Disguised that the great West and
Southwest, which now constitute what may be
termed the garden of the States in the earlier hiso.
ry of the government have been treated rather as
minors and dependents than Us stalwart and power
fnl adults This was perfectly natural because it
is scarcely quarter of century since the whole
Plain of the Lakes and the Valleys of the Mississippi
and Missouri We're virgin forests and prairies Hi
nois, which new claims the fourth rank in the house
hold, twenty years ago was a mere Wilderness So
were Indiana, Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa. Mime
sofa, and Missouri. These States had not entered
the lists as producers they had no commerce ex-
cept that which WAS embraced in the TRANSFORMATION
of emigrants and their effects. Cleveland Detroit
Chicago, Milwaukee, and st. LOUIS were little from.
Tier villages. with high7soundipg city names and
enormous expectations, which sane man thought
would be realized. Now they are powerful munich
palities with elaborate systems of police and govern
ment, and the marts of great commerce based upon
the productions of the States in which they are sit
uated, and linked together by network of roads
and canals, which have literally removed all the OBJ
stacles Of distance and equazed the value of prop
erty throughout the whole interior of the country
The American people have witnessed these wonder
full events of their recent history without realizing
their effects upon our political system--wthout re-
garding them controlling power in the legsla-
ton of the country able TO dictate measures of pol
icy to the government. Those who reflect upon public
affairs will be able to see at glance the direction
of empire in this country. They will see it in the
complete works of Improvement in the West con-
sructed and conducted by individual enterprse-b
increasing and Notwithstanding population over
the interior country~in the comparative decline of
the East and augmentation Of the West in the ma
tional legislature and in the control which the latter
soon destined to exert upon the general industry
and commerce of the whole Union. The recent
measures adopted by the government to open inter
and the Pacific States will soon present new phase
of our affairs which will command the attention of
statesmen and philosophers. The immense resources
of the interior, which could only be reached and de-
veloped by organized government, now brought
within the scope of our emigrant people. What has
been done in the lake and river States remains to be
done the eastern and western slopes of the
tains. The current of population which, less than
forty years ago, invaded and subdued western New
York and Ohio, and has since covered Indiana Mich
igan Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa. Minnesota Missouri
Kansas and Nebraska, is still moving with accel-
Grated steps to the West and Southwest 1t is
neither desirable possible to check this current
or turn it aside 1t now commands, in connexon
with the southwestern regions Of tho Union,
pre of production and prosperity greater than the
world has before seen and its industry and
wealth constitute, after all, the vital power which
animates the business Of the Atlantic States.
Our industrial system can never be said to be com
pete till all the fountains of wealth which lie hidden
in the earth shall have been developed This, we
lpprehcnd should be a rule to guide politicians and
AS we have no power to stop The wheels
Of progress, and as every advance step 10 the way
If unfolding our resources has added wealth and
to the nation tho lesson is too complete
o be overlooked or neglected. The Legislation of the
country should be in harmony with ts interests and
is evident des my.