The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-05-24
The two Nations of the World that afford the

The two Nations of the World that afford the
most striking modern example of progressive in
crease in population and territory are RUSSIA and
the UNITED STATES. The one stimulated in its
growth, by the energetic will of series of abso-
lutte soveregns; the other by the influence of liberal
principles; the one achieving its objects by military
force, combined with adroit diplomacy; the other
attaining the same ends by commercial activity
and the avoidance of entangling alliances. Within
three-quarters of a century Russia has annexed
one-half of Sweden, absorbed the greater part of
Poland, wrested from Turkey in ASIA territory
equal in extent to the combined principalities of
Germany,-and from Persia country equal to
England in size. Her acquisitions in Tartarv are
said by well informed writer, to have can area
equal to Turkey in Europe, Greece, Italy,
''and Spain;" the territory she has acquired
since l772, being 'greater in extent and
importance than the whole immense Empire
"she possessed in Europe before that time.
The successors of PETER the GREAT, and the heirs
of bis sagacious policy, have studously directed
their energies to the extension of the Imperial
limits into chimes more genial, seeking everywhere
for outlets to seas where their ships of war and
their commercial marine might find secure harbors.
easy of access at all seasons, and unobstructed bv
the icy barrier which closes, for SIX months in
every year, the ports in the Gulf of Finland. Tt
was for this, that Russia took possession of the
Crmea. 1t was for this, she fortified the almost
imprcgnablc position of Sevastopol, thus COM
handing the navigation of the Danube and me-
nacing Constantinople. When the Western pro-
gress of Russia was checked by the armed inter-
position of England and France, she turned her
attention to Eastern Asia, and is now buildinc mn
a second Cronstadt at the mouth of the Amoor
river. .-t .ai
The progress of the UNITED STATES, during the
same period, has been of an equally extraordinary
character, though under different influences and
governed by other motives. In 1872 the Ohio river
formed our Western boundary, our Southern the
Gulf Stream. Since that time we have increased our
population from 1900, 900 of souls to % DOC. Oo0
have peopled the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, have
crossed the Gulf Stream, transcribed the Rocky
Mountains and occupied with an industrious people
the shores of the Pacific. Almost simultaneously
with our appearance in California and OREGON. we
find Russia emerging from the magnificent valley
of the AMOR river, and occupying the islands in
the sea of Ochotsk. When our Government dis
patched squadron to Japan to negotiate change
in the restrictive policy of that Empire Russian
frigates followed in the wake of our vessels. and
forthwith laid claim to similar advantages. When,
more recently, we sent an Ambassador to China to
watch over our interests in that quarter of the
GLOBE Russia also sent an Ambassador clothed with
similar powers, and not with equally pacific in
structions. Here, then, for the present, the par
alle ends but in the rivalry of the respective ma
tons for the commerce of Asia, the regard which
they now entertain for each other may be changed
into antagonism Let us hope that each nation
may succeed in working out its particular destiny,
without the necessity of coming into collision
with the other ..". 1850 .-.