The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-10-03

FROM IhE AURORA.
STEADY HABITS.

HE influence which habit holds over the
mind, is universally admitted, but il is seldom
admitted to be examined soberly il is even
called second nature, and yet il il be only
second nature, il is !ofien in opposition to the
hrst laws Of nature, and in contradiction TO
sense, to reasons, to morals, TO interest, and
policy. Whether we have fallen into habits
OF thinking or acting which il perscvered
IN Will prove injurious to us individually, or
to tho country at large, is . subject wsrth
inquiring into and il we only imagine our
selves placed three or four ceniuries back,
and our habits the same which prevailed then,
we shall be able to Judge more correctly,
That our early connexion with England
has given Us predictions in favour of the
customs and manners of the people Of that
country, and a prejudice in favour of the f-
brics OF that country, cannot be doubted. De-
irving much OF our population from the SHINE
sources with them, subject to the same laws
In particular sense, and recognizing her
power, have tended, no doubt to keep up the
prejudice, especially when 1t is considered
that the great facility of intercourse between
the two countries, and the particular facilities
granted by the commercial skill of British
merchants beyond the usage of merchants of
other countries. But however strong the
Prediction An favour Of that country, wheth-
er it arises from one cause or the many, it
appears, contrary to every principle of reason
and policy, that We should prefer their inter-
ests to our own--that we should set our own
talents at naught, TO elevate the understanding
and abilities Of that nation almost TO the
height of alteration, to look on each being
from thence, who may arrive among us, (no
~astr hD~u Incl H.. 4
considered in his own countryo az snheriour
10 as both ia hcinf Of manners and ia under
standing Heis an Englishman--thc term
appears to carry magick in the sound. Thus
we sec the rude boy just emerged from the
warehouse OF Manchester weaver, or
Birmingham bottom maker, with an education
only fitted for such employment, and his paws
covered with the scales Of his college, in-
stantly on his arrival among us, assumes the
consequence of Bashow he looks around
him, and is even surprised himself at the
nanner in which hc is treated, so different
from home, 10 find his society sought after,
and his company courted by those who hold
themselves up as the well corn or best blood
I OF the country, and rank themselves of the
hrst circle OF society man Of this kind is
not SO ignorant as not TO know himself, from
this knowledge he learns TO despise all he
sees aud hears. The scanty habits contrac-
ted in his warehouse arc forgotten, and
while he fares sumptuously every day, he
dawns, with all the suilen dignity of over fed
vulgari,y, the stupid race that sdmires and
feeds him. He recolects the superiority oi
his former masters over himself, and the SUI
periority OF all around him to himself, and he
learns to admire and feel a sentiment which
never before warmed his heart, or entered
his imagination.
That we should thus debase ourselves to
elevate an individual Of any country, is an
inconsistency Of conduct, yet for the truth of
the fact, the Inhabitants Of every city on the
continent OF the United States can vouch
and SO far has this prejudice Of habit wormed
itself into our minds, that many will not al.
low, or believe il possible for that nation to
do US wrong-nsy some 20 so far as to affect
TO believe, that the very frowns OF England
are meant as smiles upon us. How long
this infatuation may last God only knows,
but If so long as it does exists, and our mnds
enslaved by it, we may call ourselves by what
name we please, we can have no National
character, we can not be free and indepen-
dent people.
ITeIuuiCC CSCt uds q tCudSuSy W (~bCNh
enquiry and prevent improvement, prejudice
has induced us TO believe that it would be
utterly impossible to manufacture any article
within the Territory OF the United States,
which would equal that which we have been
in the habit of IMPORTING from England, or
that would answer the same purpose as tive
imported one so far at one time was this
prejudice carried within the memory of the
writer, who is not ye. old, that even the ar;i-
cles Of Snuff, spun and cut Tobacco, were
considered unfit for use, unlcis manufactured
in England in the iourteehth century the
English sent their wool to Flanders to be
spun and woven and dyed; We sent our To-
bscco to England to be ground and spun for
us in the last century But this is only one
of a thousand prcjudices, aud is only men,
toned in consequence Of our reason having
~..-.-~~x~ ,-tt,e aavio1 fI;s rnakca IN f,e