The New York herald., 1878-12-31
"AMERICA'S MANIFEST DESTINY"

NEW YORK THE BABYLON OF THE FUTURE
NECESSITY OF THE HARLEM CANAL.
The Rev. Byron Sunderland, d. D.. chaplain Of the
United States Senate lectured last evening at the
congregational Church, Washington avenue, between
165th and l66th streets, taking for his subject
"America's Manifest Destiny" After referring to
the history Of America and the rapid strides made in
manufactures commerce and wealth, DR.. Sunderland
turned to tho promises Of the future. First
there was rapid and unparalleled increase OF our
population. Here are the homes Of millions waiting
for their coming occupants. In the next century
shall be hundred millions. New York whl be the
modern Babylon of the world and Harlem River the
central artery of the city, and Port Morris the harbor
na N s Since that date other ersaion has
followed. and it is more than probable that greater
facilities still may be secured to the people As the
law stands not less than ninety millions of
have been already taken up, whilo sixteen hundred
millions remain as yet untouched.
h relates to the Growth Of trees nrincinsliv nnon
the prairie lands. aud under its provisions in the
last 1--WE years more than one million eight hundred
thousand acres have been taken up One of the cry
ing evils OF all civilization Is the tendency to throng
the great cities thus robbng the outlying regions OF
the presence and culture OF man. one-thrd Of the
people of New York to-day could be set at work on
those Western lands we should hear no more of the
Commune, no more OF the nat money. no more OF
the atrocious watchword, Bread or lead" We
already possess the heart Of the continent. 1t is
only question Of events, and the hours of God
Btrke faSt. - not possible tnAt tno great
hold Of America can remain always divided. There
but rule thus far and that is the rule OF
accretion. Every attempt at dissolution has only
resulted in hrmer solidarity.
But land and labor make commerce. The balance
OF trade is already in favor The vast products
of this country. growing in maenituds and variety,
clamor for transportstion-and they must, they
Will have it! The railways are utterly inadequate.
The bulk of 1t must come by water courses. There
are but two OF these for Eastern trafc-the Welland
Canal and out by the st. Lawrence; the Erie Canal,
by the Hudson and Harlem rivers. Canada contem-
plates an expenditure Of S30,000.000 the
former; Congress has devoted the pitiful sum Of
100000 to the latter There ought to be rest till
this ship canal is cut through the heart Of New
York--thus adding the most famous link in
the great chain Of globe embracing waters-a
marvellous reach Of the pathway of commerce in
her circuit round the world Think of single
grain crop Of 2,20O 900 of bushels Think of the
lumber, the OIL tho coal, the manufactures, the live
stock that must be moved to foreign markets. Think
OF the great mail routes, the immense OF travel
OF time saved, of certainty independent of the tides,
the regularity and rapidity thus to be secured,
and you cannot hesitate, you will cut this canal be-
tween the Hudson and the Harlem and thus add the
one wanting gear wheel in the grand clockwork Of
the worlds commerce.. In respect to intelligence,
time and distance have become nothing. In re-
spect to the business of the nations time and dis
tance have become every thing. The shortest
has not yet been 1t is Tor this country to in
vent hat racQ