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In these facts are to be found the explanation of the want of
ancient edifices in America。 Two centuries and a half are no very
remote antiquity； but we should regard buildings of that； or even
of a much less age； with greater interest； did the country
possess them。 But nothing was constructed a century since that
was worth preserving on account of its intrinsic merits； and；
before time can throw its interest around them； edifice after
edifice comes down； to make way for a successor better suited to
the wants and tastes of the age。 In this respect New York is even
worse off than the other ancient places of the countryancient
as things can be regarded in Americaits great growth and
commercial spirit demanding sacrifices that Philadelphia and
Boston have as yet escaped。 It is quite within the scope of
probable things； that； in a very few years； there should not be
standing in the old town a single structure of any sort； that was
there previously to the Revolution。 As for the new towns；
Brooklyn； Williamsburgh； etc。； they had no existence worth
alluding to anterior to the commencement of the present century。
If any dwelling is to be found within the limits of either； that
can claim a more remote origin； it is some farmhouse that has
been swallowed up by the modern improvements。
That which is true of the towns； in this respect； is equally true
of the whole country。 A dwelling that has stood half a century is
regarded as a sort of specimen of antiquity； and one that has
seen twice that number of years； of which a few are to be found；
especially among the descendants of the Dutch； is looked upon
with some such reverence as is felt by the modern traveller in
gazing at the tomb of Cecilia Metella； or the amphitheatre of
Verona。
｛tomb of Cecilia Metella = the most famous monument on the Appian
Way outside Rome； commemorating the wife of Crassus （d。 53 BC）；
who as member of the First Triumvirate； joined with Caesar and
Pompey to end the Roman Republic； amphitheatre of Verona = built
by the Emperor Diocletian about 290 A。D。 to stage gladiator
combats； it is one of the largest surviving Roman amphitheaters｝
The world has had a striking example of the potency of commerce
as opposed to that of even the sword； in the abortive policy of
Napoleon to exclude England from the trade of the Continent。 At
the very moment that this potentate of unequalled means and iron
rule was doing all he could to achieve his object； the goods of
Manchester found their way into half of his dependent provinces；
and the Thames was crowded with shipping which belonged to states
that the emperor supposed to be under his control。
｛abortive policy = in the early years of the 19th century the
French Emperor Napoleon had sought； largely unsuccessfully； to
blockade England from trade with Europe｝
As to the notion of there arising any rival ports； south； to
compete with New York； it strikes us as a chimera。 New Orleans
will always maintain a qualified competition with every place not
washed by the waters of the great valley； but New Orleans is
nothing but a local port； after allof great wealth and
importance； beyond a doubt； but not the mart of America。
New York is essentially national in interests； position； and
pursuits。 No one thinks of the place as belonging to a particular
State； but to the United States。 The revenue paid into the
treasury； at this point； comes in reality； from the pockets of
the whole country； and belongs to the whole country。 The same is
true of her sales and their proceeds。 Indeed； there is very
little political sympathy between the places at the mouth of the
Hudson； and the interiorthe vulgar prejudice of envy； and the
jealousy of the power of collected capital； causing the country
to distrust the town。
We are aware that the governing motive of commerce； all over the
world； is the love of gain。 It differs from the love of gain in
its lower aspects； merely in its greater importance and its
greater activity。 These cause it to be more engrossing among
merchants than among the tillers of the soil： still； facts prove
that this state of things has many relieving shades。 The man who
is accustomed to deal in large sums is usually raised above the
more sordid vices of covetousness and avarice in detail。 There
are rich misers； certainly； but they are exceptions。 We do not
believe that the merchant is one tittle more mercenary than the
husbandman in his motives； while he is certainly much more
liberal of his gains。 One deals in thousands； the other in tens
and twenties。 It is seldom； however； that a failing market； or a
sterile season； drives the owner of the plough to desperation；
and his principles； if he have any； may be preserved； while the
losses or risks of an investment involving more than the merchant
really owns； suspend him for a time on the tenter…hooks of
commercial doubt。 The man thus placed must have more than a
common share of integrity； to reason right when interest tempts
him to do wrong。
Notwithstanding the generally fallacious character of the
governing motive of all commercial communities； there is much to
mitigate its selfishness。 The habit of regarding the entire
country and its interests with a friendly eye； and of associating
themselves with its fortunes； liberalizes its mind and wishes；
and confers a catholic spirit that the capital of a mere province
does not possess。 Boston； for instance； is leagued with Lowell；
and Lawrence； and Cambridge； and seldom acts collectively without
betraying its provincial mood； while New York receives her goods
and her boasted learning by large tran｛s｝shipments； without any
special consciousness of the transactions。 This habit of
generalizing in interests encourages the catholic spirit
mentioned； and will account for the nationality of the great mart
of a great and much extended country。 The feeling would be apt to
endure through many changes； and keep alive the connection of
commerce even after that of the political relations may have
ceased。 New York； at this moment； contributes her full share to
the prosperity of London； though she owes no allegiance to St。
James。
The American Union； however； has much more adhesiveness than is
commonly imagined。 The diversity and complexity of its interests
form a network that will be found； like the web of the spider； to
possess a power of resistance far exceeding its gossamer
appearanceone strong enough to hold all that it was ever
intended to inclose。 The slave interest is now making its final
effort for supremacy； and men are deceived by the throes of a
departing power。 The institution of domestic slavery cannot last。
It is opposed to the spirit of the age； and the figments of Mr。
Calhoun； in affirming that the Territories belong to the States；
instead of the Government of the United States； and the
celebrated doctrine of the equilibrium； for which we look in vain
into the Constitution for a