Year: 1869

The Meeting OF Western and Oriental


Civilixafion-The Worlds March Com.


pleted.


The activity exhibited by the promoters of
the various schemes to facilitate transit across
the North American Continent from Canada to
the Isthmus of Darien is remarkable indica-
tion Of the temper of the times 1t is pre-
monition Of the advent of an age of develop
ment far beyond anything the world has
hitherto witnessed. A similar activity of en-
terprise marked the period which followed the
discovery Of America by Columbus, and both
are events in the march of the human race
from its cradle on the high plateau of Asia
round the world. But the later is much
greater than the former event. 1t is the cul-
mination of the march of the human race-the
meeting of Western and Oriental civilization


Dating back to an era beyond the reach OF
history, Western civilization has marked its
westward journey with the rise and fall of
empires along the shores of the Mediterranean
and the Baltic seas until its gather
ing force on the shores Of Europe
sped Columbus and his followers Across
the Atlantic. Since that period 1t has ac-
cumulated wonderful power and activity in
the development Of the printing press, steam
and electricity, and is now about to burst upon
the populous East. The Oriental civilization,
with shorter march, has congregated i'm
mense numbers of the race on the shores of
China, among which the great instruments of
Western civilization have but recently become
known. These new powers have enabled it to
send out the forerunners OF its new eastward
march in the Burlfngame mission, and the
whole civilized world feels the premonition of
the coming blending Of the two civilizations
and the development Of a far grander and
wider field Of enterprise than has ever been
known TO man. IL Is the marriage OF three
hundred millions from the West with four hun
dred millions from the East in one common
scheme of human development.


Without any logical data which shall war
rant the undertaking Of SO many and great en-
across the American Continent, the instructive
| power Of the age hastens to its labors. The
Pacific Railroad only approaches compile


ton and already two or three other


enterprises Of the same character are received


with favor aud encouragement Mr.. Gushing


returns from Bogota with the ink hardly dry


upon the treaty for the construction Of the


Darien canal, and by the same mail we learn
| that Louis Napoleon has also negotiated for a


ship canal across the Isthmus Of Nicaragua
| Coincident with these strides come the grants
| Of the Mexican Congress for the opening of


the Guaymas and Tehuantepec railroads, the


intelligence of renewed activity on the part Of


the British holders of the Honduras route,
| aud new scheme for the construction OF an


interoceanic railway through the territory OF
! Costa Rica. This coincidence of separate and
distinct enterprises is one Of the most remarka-
BILE signs Of the times; and we may mention
another fact in the same connection which
shows that the spirit they indicate Is not ex-
elusive with the civilization Of the West.
When Mr.. Burlingame was here we are in
formed that he stated incidentally, In connec-
ton with the subject OF the Darien canal, tina!
the Emperor Of China would take stock in the
enterprise to the extent of eighty millions Of
dollars and contract to supply oil the labor
needed for the work. rs


This single incident, rightfully viewed, will
enable us to take the measure Of the results
which must flow from the meeting OF the two
great masses of civilization. Widely differing
in their products aud their needs, they will
give rise 10 a commerce vaster than ever en-
tered the widest dreams Of man. Its rills in
former ages poured wealth into the laps OF
Palmyra, Alexandra and Venice and clothed
their merchants in purple. What may we not
expect. then, from the meeting Of tho two