The Placer herald., 1860-03-24
Growth of the Republic.

lhe New ork Hcrdld has been figuring
up the population of the United States. and
makes a much CHER estimate than we have
seen from any other source. Basnc cal
culation upon the general average increase
per cent. in the twelve States and six Terri
.ories in which census has been taken
since 1850, it is estimated that the national
census to be taken this year will give total
of over thirtv-four millions of Inhabitants
being an increase Of over eleven millions
Sta es, since 1850, is put down at the rate of
33 l3 per cent in the old slave States at
the rate of so per cent; in five Of the North.
western States at the rate of GO per cent
Texas at the rate of lG0 per cent, and Iowa
and California at the rate Of 200 per cent.
which give the following results:
Old free States ,3S0.558
Old slave States. ...........l3. .990,0l3
New Slave State (Texas). ).......... 53S,19S
New Tree StatS...... .......... 4,436,925
territories. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 23,327
Total. tal.............................. 4.5S0.051
This estimate gives larger population
than the census returns will be likely to
show. According to the ratio of increase,
as shown by the several censuses taken since
1890, the population of the United States
doubles once in about twenty. y.three years
and estimating on this basis the census of
1860 will give 4 tota population of between
thirty-one and thirty-two millions. We have
noticed several estimates made by well in
formed statisticians, and none of them have
exceeded thirly-two millions as the present
population, and some estimates come down
to thirty millions.
The Secretary of the Interior has already
issued preliminary instructions to the census
operations on the first of June, and complete
the work in every State and Territory within
the shortest practicable time.-Neuada Dem.
The ANCIENT DRuDs.-No system Of
idoatrous worship ever gained greater as
cendancy over the minds Of m3n than that
Of the ancient Gau!s and B:etons. Rough,
reckless and barbarous as they were, their
priests led them as thoagh they hal been
lambs. These priests possessed both civil
and criminal jurisdiction, and they were ex
empt from the dangers of war and the de-
mands Of taxation. They imposed the most
rigid laws upon their subjects; and severe
and terrible We're the pun;shments they Wis
tied upon the heads of offenders. The awe
which they inspired was SO great that al
though no other guard than the deep forests
was thrown around the treasures which they
accumulated, no robber was so daring as 10
moIest their spois, or attempt to make them
his prey. These priests practced the shed
ding of human blood at their sacrifices. The
utmost mys cry and gloom seemed always
to hover about their haunts; and their aItars
were the shrnes of violence and murder.
Such were the Druids; and the influence
which they exerted over cir followers eX-
tended into anoth world, for they taught
the doctrine of the transmigration Of souls;
and their power to intlict punishment did not
end with the present life Of their victim.
But dark and terrible rs WAS the sway o. the
Druids, it had its use in restraining that wild
and warke people. When that use WAS
fulfilled they were swept away. They had
ruled by violence and hlood and they were
violently destroyed; fer their blood quenched
the fire Of their turning houses, as they died
by the sword amid ,heir consecra:ed groves,
and aItars, in the reign Of the Emperor Nero.
41mrican Banner.