THE REFLECTOR. VOL. I. MILLEDGEVILLE, G. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1817. NO. 3. MISCELLANY. A PEEP IN 10 FUTURITY. »t m. nr. n>n. The United States have been free and indepen dent 34 years,* and they hnve made great acqui sitions in territory, in population, ana in wealth. Their growth has been extremely rapid ; they embrace an immense surface : and the principle or spring which produces this increase, still con tinues in full vigor: in a word, such has been their progress, that history presents nothing e- qual to it among a young people, cither in ancient or modern times. It cannot, therefore, be otherwise than interes ting to investigate the probable consequences of their advancement. At the first glance, the leading effect of the pros perity of the United States would appear to be a tendency to divide the whole of America into two parts, one of which, that of the north, will bear the same character ns the United States and that of the inhabitants'of the north of Europe; and the other will preserve the characteristics <*■' Spaniards and those of the people of the south. Canada and Acadie (or Nova Scotia) partake of the manners of the English. The United Stata^jjthemselves are an England in America, anr^.en something more than England ; for, in stituted later than her, they have been able, by taking advantage of the lights of their age, to c rect themselves upon a better foundation than that of England, although the best in Europe, but ■which was the result of times less enlightened than those in which the United States were foun ded. This great northern division of America will, therefore, act under the influence of the cus toms and the civilization of the people of the north of Europe. On the other hand, all the se cond division, peopled from the southern parts of Europe, wifi remain under the influence of the manners of the south of Europe.—The dominion will be changed, but their customs and their roanners'will remain ; and, in the end, it is man ners and customs that fix the destiuies uf nations America, then, will be divided into two zones of manners, morals, and customs, as Europe is di vided into two zones of climate, of manners, and of religion. Since the year 1778, the territory of the United States has quadrupled, the population has in creased three-fold, and their commerce and nav igation have multiplied still more considerably the American flag is to be found every where Except that of England, it asserts a pre-eminence over the flags of all the other nations of Europe even in their own ports. This is a real encroach ment. The population of the United States, on the Istof October, 1816, amounted to, Whilesf 7,000,000 Bl»rl* j 1,6.50,000 Their exportations, which, in 1794) were only g 33^)26,123 Amounted, in 1806, to 101,536,960 Their merchant vessels, to 12,000 Their revenue to g 25,000,000 Surplus, 5,500,000 Their annual expenditures to 19,5oo,ooo If a little more than thirty-six years have suf ficed to produce this result, what will jt he at the end of one hundred, or of two hundred years ? For America, the future is incalculable ; "site is evidently destined to change the face of the world. Following the calculations of Franklin—calcu lations which have been realized—the population of the United States ought to double every twen - ty-two years. Let an estimate be made, if pos sible, of the effects of a few periods of this pro gression; it must be reckoned by hundreds of mil lions of men. (1) Nothing can arrest it; the circumstances which created the first million will create the last; and these circumstances are, the ease with which subsistence is obtained, and the occupations of commerce and industry, which will augment for them those productions which will benefit all the nations of the globe. By the laws of communication established between tliem, every advantage, which each one acquires, will become common to all the rest. Thus, when in dependence has vivified South America, the Uni ted States will associate'themselves to its pros perity, by taking part in her commerce, and will direct towards that section of the American con tinent thousands of vessels, which are excluded by its present state of dependence. For exam ple, the more that Russia prospers, the more the United States will convey thither and bring from thence, and they will prosper with her. It is in tliis action and re-action, this flux and re-flux, of relations and exchanges, which multiply the ac tivity, and, by that means, the population and riches of a country. The United States, there fore, will profit of the prosperity of the world at large, and will know how to turn it to account. The sourced"her grow th, as is seen, is great and abundanM^k ^ If tbePHR has found it difficult to sustain the ^ weight ofmghteen millioimmif Englishmen, seek ing every where for powers the means of secur. jog commerce, and pursuing commerce ns tli e means of securing power) what will it do under the burden of an infinite number of Americans, put in mution by the same motives, placed Le-‘ yond the sphere of those disheartening obstacles which prevail in Europe, and thus freed, in a great measure, from the leading strings, or from ideas which restrain the development of enterprise a- mong the Europeans ? The American is not an American of America, but an American of Eng land ; and Englishman, pure and verified, who retains, in moving front his country, the courage, the spirit, the activity, the aptitude for labor— and for those affairs which, in Europe, distinguish the blood from which he sprung. The American is directed by instinct towards the ocean ; to wards commerce 8c navigation ; 8c it is there that he will open for himself a grand career, he has yielded to the native impulses of his blood, which carry him towardsevery maritime and commercial occupation. What has been said of the Hollan ders may be said of the Americans—“ Let com merce augment, and it will increase the Dutch men.” The United States have acquired Louisiana: they have extended themselves prodigiously be yond the Apalachian mountains, and stretch to wards the coasts of the South-Sea. On the north, their establishments flank Mexico : it is not to he doubted that they will push the frontiers of Loui siana to the great river del Norte. When Eng land possessed the United States, she was careful to join to tliein^Acadie (or Nova Scotia) by the peace of Utrecht, in 1713 ; and Florida by that of 1760. By this double annexation, England completed the occupation of all the eastern snores of America, from the gulfof Mexico to the river St. Lawrence, and at the same period she gained dominion over Canada. She thus removed the inconvenience of having, upon two extremities of her colonies, the possessions of a foreign power or an enemy : she re-united these two arms to the. United States, and fulfilled the design traced out by nature. The same plan will not escape the vigilance of the United States, They have already begun to occupy the Floridas; and with respect to Acadie (Nova Scotia) and Canada, the United States al ways keep in view two things—their separation from England by independence or by conquest. The slender population of the U. States lias hither to preserved these possessions ; but when its in-, crease shall have placed at theif doors an enormous mass ofAmerican citizens,how willEngland defend herself against them ? The day on which the U. S shall be able to set on foot an army of fifty thou sand men, Acaide (Nova Scotia) and Canada will cease to belong to the English. These lat ter will find themselves, with respect to the A' mericans, in a situation similar tc that in which in former days, they found themselves with re gard to France. The English will be in Cana Ja as they were in France, Whilst they retained possession of Guienne or Normandy ; as the Swedes were in Finland, after the foundation of St. Petersburg ; but with this difference, that Guienne and Finland are situated at no great distance from England and Sweden, whilst the United States are adjacent to to Canada, and England is a thousand leagues off. We must add to this first consideration that of the relative expense which a war would occasion to the two countries : It is obvious that every war is Vmerica, in Canada, will cost England infinitely more than it would the U. States. It would be matter of curiosity to ascertain what tne Inst Canadian war cost the British govern ment. It' is, then, demonstrated, that the United States, or American confederation, will govern all the north of America. In this confederation, what will become of them Will they remain united and republican ? Are they destined to falsify the principles of antiqui ty, which assign a period to the existence of all republics of sucli immense extent ? tiois. This science presents a field where enter-tlieir operation. We are too generally disposed prise can find objects worthy of its noblest efforts, where ambition may receive the sanction ami re wards uf virtue, ftnd where invention can em ploy itaelf without end. The diffusion ofa spirit of scientific agriculture throughout our country would contribute much to give simplicity to, the manners, and manliness to the feelings of our citizens. It would a.ford new securities to pub lic virtue, and Would fortify and elevate our pat riotism. Such reflections as these are naturally excited *by the success of the experiment which lias bpen recently made by the Massachusetts, ‘gricultural Society.—They have called to the d of the object of their patronage the excite ments of personal competition, and all those so cial and festive feelings from which every end of human pursuit may derive wonderful assistance. We congratulate them upon the auspicious ap pearances of their interesting experiment, anti cannot but hope that other States will be induced to imitate it. * Ufctc l*r»clt reckons from the peace of 1782-5. f 'im total of the population of the United States in the year 1810, according to the census «f that period, amounted to 7,239,903. M. de Pradt allows, therefore, for the increase of six years 1,410,097. This estimate is, we think, rather under, than over rated. (1) Table of the probable increase of population in the U States during a period of sixty-nine years which is equal to two generations. In 1817, 8,650,000 souls In 1840, 17,300,000 In 1863, 34,600,000 hi 1885, 69,200,000 Continuing this estimate,wc should find, in 1919 138,400,»oo Or, tour-fifths of the population of Enropc. The annual increase of the whites is shout two hundred .and ten thousand, accruing solely from internal causes ; for emigrations produce to the United 9tates scarcely four thousand souls yearly, and nearly an equal number leave file country, to go and establish themselves in Canada or elsewhere. HON THK SNITCH WATCHMAN. The increased attention which has been recent ly excited in New-England to the subject of ai_ nculture, constitutes an interesting era in our history. Public enterprizc shou’d select no oh ject more directly connected with public liappi ness than the estulishment of societies, festivals and rewards, for the honour and encouragement of Agriculture. No exertions should be spared and no expedient should be left untried to make this object popular. That man is a public bene factor who makes two spears of grass to grow where but one grew before, and the gratitude of future generations should crown the memory of him who first established a society for the promo tion of this oldest and best of sciences. Tiler is no object of public interest which it is so inv purfant to surround with artificial honours and so cial embellishments. There is none which needs so much the attractions which popularity can giv to it, and none which can better support, altlmu_ it seldom receives, the dignity and graces which follow public distinction. The wealth and enterprise of this country as of every other, are drawn off and wasted in the chan nets of corruption and luxury, without adding any thing to our national strength or happiness Whatever tends to divert their courses to an ob ject so valuable as agriculture, should be festered and encouraged. This vital principle of our country’s growth should be shelte.cd with all the vigilance and jealousy of patriotism. Its guar dianship should not be entrusted to the hands of labuur and poverty. Jt should call into exercise the energies of individual talent, the resources of learning, and all the aids of public patronage and private munificence. Other sciences have been indebted for their growth to the love of fame, which actuates their followers, and have flourished in the same ratio in which they have been fashionable. Nothing therefore but public distinction is wanting to give to agriculture the strong impulse of private emula EDUCATION. FROM R1LKS* HKQtSTBM, Respectfully addressed to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, past Presidents of the U. States. It 13 not a common occasion, venerable fathers f the republic, that could induce me to prefix your' names to a public address. In my estima tion, there is something in it that they may make me liable to be considered indiscreet, if not im pertinent, by some who will not take the trouble to ascertain whether I am influenced by an hon est intention, or not. Iain unwilling to be sus pected of either of these, towards you—and vet when I regard the va-t importance (in my opin ion) of the matter that I have to propose, and feel the weakness of my powers to press it upon you as I think it deserves, I am truly humbled. There is no affectation in tliis—several gentlemen in the United States can produce evidence in my own hand-writing, that I have long entreat ed them to undertake that which I am now about fo do—they have unanimously, and in very flattering terms, approved of the project, while they referred it back to myself, calling upon me to lay it before you and my countrymen, for con sideration, Thus situated, the only alternative is to abandon one of the fondest wishes of my heart, or to attempt to excite an interest in fa vour of it. There are very few men that live for them selves, or belong to themselves, only. Some iso lated individuals, like specks in the great ocean are so barren of ought that is good, as to exempt them from this general remark : but we belong to out; families—to neighborhoods—to counties—to states—to nations and to the world, according to our different abilities to serve the human race.— Hardly any man’s character or talents arc entire ly his own—they are the property of the circle within which he moves : aiul every one mav be respectively called upon to exbrt them for the common benefit of his sphere. Impressed with these sentiments, I am about to invite you to lend to the people of the United States, (to whom it belongs) the weight of your talents and character to influence the education of their children—to teach them, not only the reve rence due to their Creator in the days of tliei youth, and the necessity of a due observance of the moral law, hut to impress upon their tender minds an uncxtinguishable love of country and a profound respect for its republican institutions ; so that,ns they come to maturity, they mayproud- ly feel that they are men ;—and acknowledge no superior but God and the law. “ Delightful task to rear the tender thought, “ And teach the young idea ho\v to shoot.” I have exerted myself a little, according to the ability afforded, anil I trust not without some pro fit, to build up a national character—but “ the work is great and the laborers are few.” I am much encouraged, however, by the belief that a proud monument is erecting in the hearts of my countrymen, sacred to freedom ; pledged to per petuate the principles of the revolution, and to preserve inviolate those of our invaluable system of government. In this glorious edifice, I would entomb party distinctions, whenever the repub lic should be assailed. “ A difference of opinion is not always a difference of principle,” as to the choice of men and measures ; but I sincerely de precate the unsafe state of tilings which must in evitably grow out of a too easy yielding up of our it intel- wills to the wills of others. A manly an ent opposition is the life of liberty—without it, the most active and generous form of government will sink into a dangerous calm, the precursor of unprincipled faction, or finished despotism :"but there is a point at which opposition ought to cense, and “ all. at the call of the law, should rally round the standard of the law, and unite in common efforts for the common good.” But how is this point—this most important, most essential point, to be discovered, in the bustle of party and phren- zy of faction ? I can see no othefc.way than thro’ an appeal to the hearts and consciences of men— and as these are much moO(Eded by education, “ for as the twig is bent the tree’s inclined,” how interesting is it that that education should he pro perly conducted !—that its elementarv principled should lead to a love ami inspire a pride nfcpfln- try! Like a rock, planted by the Eternal rn the great deep, it will fesist the buffetings of nations, or bear the eagle-banner to the mountains’tops, if the t allies, and plains should bow to the oppres sor. But you, gentlemen, require none of my ar guments to convince you of these things. Our nation is young—we are but just separated from a country whose rule of action and habits of thinking are much the reverse of what our> should be. -We have not yet had time, perhaps, to ascertain all that is needful to us in our nation al capacity; and it is hard to break through old rules, however erroneous they may appear to the ifewthat trouble themselves tilth investigating to do a tiling which our fathers did before us, >e- ■cause they did it; shrinking from the labor of ex* nmiuing for ourselves. HenCe it is peculiarly the duty of the few, when they observe that the" an cient tract (though originally good) from time or circumstances, ought Ho longer to be followed, not only to expose its errors or imperfections, but also to direct the many to anew one that niag|> be travelled safely. Much lias been accomplished by the general devotion of the people—by a wise administration of their pablic affairs, and by the cgurage and skill of the army and navy of the United Slates, to exalt the character of our countrymen: but the pride which these have justly excited is not yet fully rooted : the warm feelings of patriotism that burst forth from such causes will be deaden* ed as Time lays bis hand upon them, unless we seize him by the forelock while we impart them to our children. And this, in my opinion, can be the most certainly done through our common schools—in the very A. B. C. of manhood. 1 sir. licit you to penetrate these, by giving to U3 two or three elementary books, fitted to lead ourChil- dren to moral and political truth and.virtue. Without condemning eri masse the books gene rally used in our schools, it may safely be said, that for the false principles of men and tilings which so much abound in the United States, we are more indebted to the use of books carelessly put into the hands of our youth, than to any thing else. Many of them are expressly calcula ted to inspire a belief in the “divine right of kings,” and the train of silly notions that are pendant on tliis grand algidity. These books, if not always of foreign product, very generally possess foreign feelings—for he must fear the lash of criticism that dares to diverge from the line laid down by our British masters in literature, who rule as absolute in this department as they once did in the political. We seek a new revo lution, not less important, perhaps, in its conse quences than that of 1776—a revolution in let ters ; a shaking off the fetters of the mind : and, like a political dismemberment from England, it requires the wisest heads and able-t liar.as in the re pubic. To effect it, it sceinS to me most need ful that wc should begin with the establishment of first principles ; which, as the Declaration of Independence, shall be the base of nil the rest— the common reference in cases of doubt and dif ficulty. Tne compilation of these books, from the abun dant materials that may so easily be obtained, with yoUr mutual judgment and nice discrimina tion, would not much interfere with the repose that you have so richly earned ;—and, stamped with the authority of either of your nantta, would instantly supercede most others used in our schools. So great would be the confidence of parents in those works, that they would unreserv edly, direct them to be put into the hands of their offspring, “ the hope of posterity assured) that while their literary education, was accomplish ing, they would nho learn their duty to them- selves and their country, as men and citizens.— 1 he books that I would wish to see written or compiled, arc, plainly, a spelling-book anil * reading-book. If I could suppose there was any thing in this request derogatory to the dignity of your charac ters, I entreat you to believe that I am one of the last men in the United States that would prefer it. On the contrary; and after the best reflection. I could give to the subject, I have firmlv believed, that such performances by you would have a mighty effect to hand down your names to future ages, as rivals for the fame of Socrates and Plato; and give a finish to your reputation as philosophic cal statesmen. It is the glory, the imperishablti glory, of the greatest men of antiquity, that they were the instructors of youth; that they taught even as it were in the market place, those doc trines which have given them to immortality, We ask not this labor of you, venerable fathers— ne only ask from you the introduction of a line of principles by which nurchildren shall be taught. All men will agree that you are competent—most competent, to this ; and when the weight of your character is superadded to the excellency of vnur talents and the power of your acquirements, the tout ensemble of the effort will be irresistible.—> How can it be a falling off from the dignity of the author of the Declaration of Independence, that he was also the author of a plan to perpetuate its inestimable principles?—or that he, under whose administration his country rose into a blaze of glo ry, in the shades of retirement devoted a part of his leisure to keep the flame alive ?—that one who had been twice elected chief magistrate of the re public by the deliberate ballot of its citizen 1 -, and who passed into the ranks of private life, after two periods of service, with liis own free will, felt himself inclined to lend his support to those rules of action under which his country had pros pered, amt he himself received the highest hon ors that it was in the power of his couutrymen to bestow? This applies to either of you, and the request is made jointly, that you would under take the things proposed. One. more remark, ami I Imve done. This ad dress is made publicly, because in my private character I would not have presumed to hope to induce a compliance with the request that isntade. But, perhaps. I may have struck a string that is in unison with the feelings of the people : if such is my good fortune, success is almost certaiu— for, it is my opinion, that neither of you will re sist the general wish of your follow-citizens, in a case like tliis. With the most sincere desires, that the evening of your days may be as happy as the dawn and meridian ol your lives have been beneficial to vour country, 1 am, your very respectful and grateful friend. t FOR SALE, A LIKELY Negro GIRL, between seventeen *r ’ and eighteen year*: of age. Printer. Enquire of the Nov, id.
