ry, the only way it will ever cease to stain the Union
is by the force of public opinion, and by the immigration of the white
man gradually driving the negro southwards from State to State. As his
value decreases, breeding for the market will gradually cease; and he
may eventually die out if the millennium does not interfere with the
process.

Another, possible cause for division in the Union may come from
California, in which State a feeble cry has already been heard of--"a
Western Republic." The facility of intercourse afforded by railroads
seems likely to stop the swelling of that cry; but if California did
separate, it would not be attended with those evils which a disruption
of the Southern States would inevitably produce. The only other chance
of a division in the Republic which I can conceive possible is, in the
event of a long war with any great maritime power, for ends which only
affected one particular portion of the States; in which case the
irresistible influence of the all mighty dollar might come into powerful
action. The wealth of America is her commerce; whatever checks that,
checks the pulsations of her vitality; and unless her honour was
thoroughly compromised in the struggle, neither North nor South would be
disposed to prolong a ruinous struggle for the sole benefit of the
other. The prospects of such a contingency may, I trust, be deemed
visionary. France is not likely to come in contact with the Union; and
the only other maritime nation is Great Britain, whose interests are so
identified with peace, that it is hardly possible she should encourage
any other than the most friendly relations. Neither party could gain
anything by a war, and both parties would inevitably suffer immensely;
and although I fear there is but too strong evidence, that many ignoble
minds in the Republic make blustering speeches, and strive to excite
hostile feelings, the real intelligence and wealth of the States
repudiate the unworthy sentiment, and deprecate any acts that could
possibly lead to a collision between the two countries. Besides all
which, there is that strong affinity between _L. s. d._ and dollars and
cents, whereby so strong an influence is exercised over that commercial
body which constitutes no unimportant portion of the wealth and
intelligence of both nations.

If the views I have taken be correct, it is indeed impossible to
foreshadow the future of the United States; centuries must elapse ere it
can bec