Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-09-29


From the returns of the census of Texas,
now nearly completed, it is ascertained that
its population will not fall short of four hun
dred and fifty thousand. No State in any
section of the Union exhibits a more rapid
growth, or greater evidences OF singular
prosperity. In eight years it has more thar
doubled its number of inhabitants, while its
productive capacity has been developed in
still higher ratio. The same impulse, which
sends a ceaseless tide of emigration int the
Northwestern States and Territories, is giving
ali extraordinary vitality to this vast South
western region, outlying on the borders of
Mexico.
The moral influence of this prosperity upon
the adjoining Mexican States is already
apparent. Tamaulipas, Nueva Leon and
Coahuila begin to feel the contrast between
their condition and that of Texas, and, dimly
perhaps. to perceive the happy result of its
union with the great North American Con-
federacy. The allegiance to the central gov
ernment is growing weaker and weaker.
The civil connections which continue TO par
alyZe their enterprise are but warning signals
of their desire to adopt the policy which has
produced upon their borders so rich a harvest.
And, as the wave of population rolls nearer,
gathering strength and volume, even the an
tagOnism of race and the pride of nationality
will give way before it.
II cannot have escaped the observation of
those who have watched the development OF
the Northwest, that at last. the tide of immi-
grafton has reached the arid plains which
stretch eastward from the base of the Rocky
Mountains. and begins to be DETECTED towards
the Southwest by this natural barrier to its
further progress The lines of cOmmunica-
ton between Iowa and Kansas, and Texas,
already projected, will ere long, give such an
impetus TO its current, that the past growth
OF this empire State will bear no comparison
to that which is to mark its future progress.
And when it reaches the eastern borders of
Mexico, converting all the region of the Rio
Grande into waving harvest fields, and filling
the prairies and river valleys and Gulf ports
with the sounds of peaceful industry, will the
inhabitants of the States. separated from this
scene of unexampled prosperity only by
narrow river, be content with government
that palsios enterprise and gives birth only to
civil strife?
The extension of American territory and
Southern institutions is, therefore, inevitable
in this direction. Gravity does not with
greater certainty decree the attraction of the
lighter body towards the heavier, than the
example of the prosperity Of the State of
Texas is sure to prepare for the annexation of
the frontier Mexican States to our Federal
Union. Men are now living who will see the
American flag floating from every city and
stronghold of these already semi-independent
provinces.
The course that emigration begins to take,
and the works of improvement in progress TO
link the extreme Northwest with the extreme
Southwest suggest the speedy appearance of
a new balance of political power in the re-
public. The commercial and industrial in
tercsts of the States bordering upon and west
of the Mississippi river. are almost identical.
They have a common, natural outlet to the
ocean. They feel common interest in the
policy that controls the public domain. Their
people have little sympathy for the follies and
the prejudices that prevail in the older States.
A freshness and originality of character,
strength and vigor of purpose and a restless
ness of enterprise mark the inhabitants of all
these States. They are progressive and ag-
gressive Like the lsraelites, when led by
the pillar of fire and cloud, they are ever on
the march to the promised land. These States
will soon disturb the present balance OF pow
er in the Union, preventing any mere North
ern or Southern coalition from deciding the
policy of the General Government.
While politicians lay crafty plans for their
own ACKNOWLEDGMENT and, looking ever at the
North or at the South, seem to See only grow
ing antagonism of feeling and wider separa-
ton of interest while those of one section
exult in apparently increasing sectional pow
err and those of the other begin to prepare
for bold resistance to anticipated encroach-
ment upon CONSTITUTIONAL rlghls' they appear
to be utterly ignorant of the consolidating
political strength of a section that will CO.
operate with neither party in its extreme
measures.
The Northwest and the Southwest will soon
develop a policy suited to their wants. They
will he felt in the council halls of the nation,
and dictate Presidential elections. The quar-
rel over the question of slavery will ere long
give place to new political issues in which
they have deeper practical interest Terri
torial expansion; connection with the rich
Pacific slopes, and a controlling influence
over the waters and territories of this western
world, will be demanded by the young giant
of the West and Southwest, who acts under
the influence of firm belief in manifest
destiny."-N. o. PIC.