Evening star., 1870-02-05


Tor population than there is left in the Missis-
sippi Valley. Their greater cheapness compared
WIN any except the government lands OF the
west, Is not the only, though an important At
traction. The warmer climate, their compa-a-
tive nearness to the great commercial markets.
and especially their eligibility for the cultiya,
ton of cotton and other most profitable agricul-
tural staples, must give them precedence OF the
western lands.
THE ULTIMATE RESULT.
The ultimate result will be most clearly seen
in this way:-First compare the whole extent of
the Atlantic and the Mississippi lands. A glance
at the map of the United States will show that
the Atlantic are somewhat more extensive than
the other, not reckoning the desert. Then,
when all the lands OF both sections shall have
been taken up, consider which section on the
average, will have the largest farms, for the
agricultural population is always the larger. the
smaller the farms In the Eastern and Middle
States, all will adm; that the farms arc smaller
than i'm the West. And. though, at present in
the extreme South, the farms may be OF greater
average size than in the West, the indications
row are that they VIII be subiiyided very
generally, and ultimately become as small as or
smaller than, in the Mississippi Valley. Ii Is.
therefore, evident that then the agricultural
population of the Atlantic, will be greater
than that of the Mississippi section
as well as now, while the town and city
population will be immensely more. Finally,
in the ultimate condensation of the population.
when there shall be no longer room t. expand
what causes will determine the law of subdivi-
sion into small estates, and where viii Ii be
most active? The commercial cities and m anu
featuring towns will have the principal in.iu-
ence to this result. Ii is first seen i'm the seec-
ton Of sites for market gardens, orchards, vine
yard and dairies, TO supply the demand of those
cities and towns, as already extensively exhibit
ed IN New England, New Jersey, and New
York. Hence, the East, with its commercial
and manufacturing superiority, will keep the
lead in that respect.
THE EAST MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN THE WEST.
Next, and close upon the frs; cause, and even
simultaneous with 1t, are sites for villas and
country residences required by business mea in
the cities and towns, and by rich men who retire
from business. For the same reason that the
commercial and manufacturing cities and towns
are larger and more numerous there the
East Will always surpass the West i'm this
respect. And in this connection another i'm
peTtant fact must be noted. When men
of wealth return to the country for
beautiful and pleasant homes, the picturesaue-
ness and aftractiyeness OF the country itself are
essential conditions, which, together with yicin-
ity to the city or town, the facilities of good
society, and convenient surroundings, determine
the choice OF nne-tenths of country seekers. In
beauty Of landscape and delightfulness of
scenery, very little OF the West has anything of
which to boast. In truth, the greater part OF
the fertile portions sorely deficient i'm this
respect; and will prove in the future TO be a
serious drawback TO a settled population of
taste and refinement. But i'm the East, nearly
all the portions so largely occupied by the com
mercial and manufacturing interests are cele-
brated for the beauty of the country. Especially
has New England every variety of pleasant
scenery, mountain, ocean, hill ard valley river
and lake. The little State of New Hamnshire
has more annual visits of health and pleasure
seekers to its mountains, lakes and beaches.
than the whole Mississippi valley. And this
yearly tide of health and pleasure travel from
the West even, to the East, should have It's
weight in the determination of the position of
he capital, which is always a point of interest
to travellers.
ACQUISITION OF NEW TERRITORY
Since the comparison of the Atlantic and Ms
sissippi sections has been viewed, all along not
only in regard to their present situations but
in respect to the probabilities of the future itis
proper also to contemplate the possible acqui- |
sitiOns Of additional territory.
LITTLE OR NONE CAN BE ADDED TO THE WEsr
The Mississippi valley being hemmed in, ex-
cept to the North, by the Atlantic and Pacific
sections, there is no possible chance of adding
to the extent of that section except from the |
cold regions of British America lying adjacent
thereto. And even if the Pacific section were
TO add its chances, there is scarcely any more
country, except the Sandwich Islands, which |
could be annexed in that direction.
MUCH NAY BE ADDED TO THE EAST. |
On the other hand, almost in every direction, |
is a chance, if not probability, of additions to
the Atlantic sections. On the north the whole |
Dominion of Canada lies contiguous; to the |
south and southeast, Cuba and other rich and |
productive West India islands are not far away; |
and on the southwest, Mexico and Central |
America, If ever united with us, will nearly all
belong to the Atlantic section by vicinity and /
commercial relations. And even if we should /
contemplate the remote possibility of South /
America, or any portion Of it, being joined to /
our destiny, it would all belong to the East. 1t
10 certainly possible that i'm the future Washing
ton will be nearer to geographical center of /
the Union than any central point i'm the Missis- /
sippi valley.
THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE NEAR THE OCEAN
In pursuing the comparison, the practical /
operations and concerns of the government |
overmatch all other arguments. The great pur-
pose oil the government is the preservation and
protection Of the nation. And whether an enc
my is without, or within, IL absolutely essential
tkGtt governments should be located schere IL con
discdys reach and command the ocean. The expe-
rience gained by the great rebellion proves this
in respect to internal danger. The one great
advantage which the government had over the
States in rebellion and which perhaps was the
only certain assurance from the beginning that
the Union would be ultimately successful, was
the control that it had Of the ocean and the ef-
fectual blockade Of the South. Had the capital
been located In the center of the Mississippi |
Valley, 20 disadvantageous would have been its |
situation that not possibly merely the South |
might have shut 1t in1and turned the great bat /
tie the other way. In war with . foreign foe, |
the necessity Of having the capital within sure /
reach Of the ocean is q self-evident proposition
No nation in modern times should be guilty of Il
the folly Of locating its head i'm the middle of its
body. The life-blood Of q nation flows in its /
veins of trade. The eyes OF q government /
should be where they can guard the heart and /
other vulnerable vital parts. 1t would be blind /
indeed to close its eyes and burrow in the bot /
tom Of hole, like hare, seeking safety i'm /
stunning the sight Of danger. And vet the
country would commit that ineffable folly II IL /
should place its capital west Of the Alleghanies