sons. inconsiderable when compared with the salaries of country parThe learned Agassiz has lately had the courage to prove, by recent researches, to the people of the state of Massachusetts, that the negro, if from any Adam at all, is descended from a black one, or sprung from some impure compromise between humanity and the lower animals, and any admixture of the races dies out in the fifth generation. Baron von Raumer, in a work on America, written in a spirit of candor rare in a foreigner, says, "The history of the world knows no country of equal size where, within a brief period, the population has increased so regularly, and to such an extent as in the United States." The simple figures are here so eloquent and instructive, that we must present at least a few from the countless mass. Next year's census will show between 35,000,000 and 40,000,000. We have lived through all the diseases of infancy. We have learned from Europe all that she had to teach, and sent her in return unrivalled specimens of every branch of industry, in mechanism, science, and the arts. The English boast of their yachts, we cross the ocean and beat them in their own waters, with what we would now regard as a second-rate vessel; they excuse their devotion to horse-racing, as having given their horses superiority over those of the rest of the world, and improved that noble animal to an extent otherwise unattainable; in this field too one American triumphs over them with home productions, whilst another tames, with a word, steeds that they had considered hopelessly wild. From us comes the application of steam in all its branches, even when used to drive the printing press; as well as the telegraph, an invention far more necessary to them than to us; if we failed to bind the ocean with its space-annihilating wire, it is only because we trusted to them details so simple that it was thought even English stupidity could not blunder in their execution. Chess, the only game where skill is everything, and chance nothing, has long been the test of mind, yet an American boy, in this, has conquered the gray-beards of Europe, and stands undisputed master. The English ministry and the English press admit that in those rare instances where Americans have turned their attention to the study of the science of diplomacy, they have mastered the whole subject, and that the works treating of it by Americans are thorough and exhaustive; whilst those of our representatives, who have so to speak jumped into the ranks from other vocations of life, are less ridiculous than representatives of other nations, similarly situated, would be. A post captain of the English navy who, weary of the monotony of the old world, has spent some years in studying our people, climate, and country, in a little treatise says that the climate of America is hostile to the Caucasian race, and that, were it not for the introduction of new blood by foreign immigration, our people would deteriorate, and perhaps die out, and that the rare examples of families whose race has been purely American since the first settlement, show a near approach to the physical conformation of the native Indian, and an inferiority in health to the rest of our population. Another states that the instances of consumption and premature decay are due to the fact that pork and Indian corn are the chief food of a vast proportion of our people; it is well known that the use of pork was forbidden to the Hebrews, because it is a food unsuited to man, and that in proportion as its use is avoided do nations escape from consumption and its kindred scrofulous diseases, whilst Indian corn, from the quantity of lime it contains, is too heating for many constitutions. Without pretending to pass judgment on either of these points, we recommend their consideration to those learned in such matters. One thing, however, seems clear, namely, that previous to the time of Columbus other nations of white men had discovered this continent, and Icelandic legends state that: "In the year 1029 a certain Icelander, named Gudlief, undertakes a voyage to Limerick in Ireland. On his return home he is driven out of his course, by north-east winds, heaven knows where. After drifting for many days to the westward he at last falls in with land. On approaching the beach, a great crowd of people came down to meet the strangers, shortly afterwards a tall and venerable chieftain makes his appearance, and, to Gudlief's great astonishment, addresses him in Icelandic. Having entertained the weary mariners very honourably, and supplied them with provisions, the old man bids them speed back to Iceland, as it would be unsafe for them to remain where they were. When Gudlief landed on the strange coast it seemed to him that the inhabitants spoke Irish. Now, there are many antiquaries inclined to believe in the former existence of an Irish colony to the southward of the Vinland of the northmen. Scattered through the Sagas are several notices of a distant country in the West, which is called Ireland ed Mekla -Great Ireland, or the White Man's Land. When Pizarro penetrated into the heart of Mexico, a tradition already existed of the previous arrival of white men from the East. Among the Shawnesse Indians a story is still preserved of Florida having been once inhabited by white men, who used iron instruments. In 1658, Sir Erland, the Priest, had in his possession a chart, even then thought ancient, of "The Land of the White Men, or Hibernia Major, situated opposite Vinland the Good," and Gaelic philologists pretend to trace a remarkable affinity between many of the American Indian dialects and the ancient Celtic." If the results of food and climate are such as, in process of centuries, to convert a white man into an American Indian, if he dies out if not renewed, or if these and other causes so amalgamate him with the natives that his distinctive character is lost, so far from striving, as the native American party wished to do, to exclude the tide of immigration, we should hail it as necessary to our national preservation, and glory in the fact that ours is the only country in the world where the oppressed of all nations can repose in peace and plenty, washing out their antecedent career in the waters of freedom. We are aware that modern philosophers, wise in their own conceits, have repudiated the doctrine of a common origin for mankind, and maintain that no change of food or climate can alter established types of race; but strong in the divine expression, "the wisdom of men is foolishness with God," we accept with childish sincerity the story of the creation laid down in the Bible, and rather content to take our chance in the faith of Calvin and Luther, Fenelon, Burnet, Warburton, Cudworth, Barrow, Hooker, Taylor, and hundreds of others, who combined the knowledge of this world with the hope of another, than to be led astray by the specious arguments of Hobbes, the ribaldry of Voltaire, or the scientific atheism of more recent writers, we hold to the faith that such changes can be, and are brought about. That this country was once the dwelling-place of other white races, who have been swept away in the divine displeasure, we sincerely believe, as we also believe that we, a people chosen by the Lord, have here a great mission to fulfil, in "replenishing and subduing the earth;" that, if we are true to ourselves and the great task we have undertaken, we shall in fifty years command the whole American continent; that if, on the other hand, we allow the Mormons, -who are real Anglo-Saxons, emigrants from the British isles— encouraged by their perfidious government, to come here to cast a stain on the robe of freedom, to perpetrate unpunished their unhallowed impurities, a visible manifestation of divine wrath will sweep away us as it has the white nations who have here had their dwelling before us, and as it is soon about, through the instrumentality of France, to blot out, or reduce to subjection, that Anglo-Saxon nation, whose mock philanthropy has so often striven to sow dissension between sections of the Great American people. Biographical Sketches. HON. ISAAC TOUCEY-SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Ir a consistent political course, an unchanging devotion to political principles, and a fearless vindication of political opinions, constitute any merit in a statesman, Mr. Toucey has well deserved the confidence of the public. The characteristics of the individual will display themselves in the politician. Man's nature is not often changed by his elevation to political or social rank. Qualities which in one position lie dormant are often displayed and brought into relief in another; and it is the surest touchstone of merit that the traits which adorn the private citizen, still exist to add grace and strength to the character of the public servant. Mr. Toucey is in the prime of his intellectual vigor and usefulness. In his tastes and tendencies he is essentially scholarlike and refined. These tendencies are indicated by his personal appearance and manners, which are remarkably gentlemanly and dignified but unostentatious. The prevailing expres sion of his features indicates determination of character, coupled with a courteous deference to the claims of others. He is a favorable illustration of the New England character in its higher developments, possessing a keen and shrewd sagacity, united to a conscientious pursuit of his object, and a straightforward, earnest, and sincere disposition, together with an untiring industry, so that labor is his habit; he never relies upon a subordinate in the discharge of duties appropriately his own. Mr. Toucey received early in life a thorough classical education; and his tastes for classical pursuits, so far from being extinguished in the active scenes of professional or political life, as is usually the case, still exist in undiminished strength, his practice being to devote a portion of every day to the reading of those ancient languages which have transmitted such intellectual treasures to modern times. He pursued the study of the law in the office of the Hon. Judge Chapman of the Supreme Court of Connecticut. On his admission to the bar he established himself in the city of Hartford, and soon gave evidence of those traits of character by which he has become known to the nation. Assiduous in his attention to business, and scrupulously faithful to his clients, his efforts at the bar were marked by a forcible and vigorous logic, which enabled him to dispense with the reputation which depends on mere rhetorical display. His first vote was cast in support of the Democratic cause; and unseduced by the prestige which so long clung to the leaders of the Federal party, he entered upon the course, which he has ever since pursued with uniform consistency, that of a warm and earnest advocacy of popular institutions, as explained and illustrated by the great leaders of the Democracy. From the commencement of his political life to the present day he has been open and consistent in the avowal and maintenance of his opinions upon the questions which, of late years, have so agitated our country. In public and in private he has never hesitated to avow and to defend those opinions, thoroughly national in their character; and although, on some occasions, they may have caused his defeat in his native State, few men upon the whole have been more successful. While others, his opponents, have seized upon a fleeting notoriety by sectional agitation, he has steadily pursued his upward and undeviating course, and now justly enjoys the reputation of a statesman whose views and policy embrace the whole country. Previous to his entrance into our national councils he had represented his town and district in both branches of the Legislature of his State; and it is not an unimportant fact, illustrating the force of his personal worth added to distinguished talents, that when elected to the State Senate, he overcame an opposition to the Democratic party in his district which had stood firm and unbroken for nearly twenty successive years. Other important positions he occupied; and more than once he was invited, by friends, who had the power of bestowing it, to take a seat upon the bench of the Supreme Court. These flattering invitations he declined. He was elected to the House of Representatives as a member of the twenty-fifth Congress; and at once took a prominent position as the advocate of Democratic measures, In 1846 he was elected Governor of Connecticut, in which position he was distinguished for his administrative talents. His administration was made memorable by his veto of the bill, at that time quite popular in the state, authorizing what was called the "Air Line Railroad Company," to bridge the Con |