Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-11-19
ALEXANDRIA:
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10, 1915.
THE FORCE OF LOCAL ATTACHMENT.

THE FORCE OF LOCAL ATTACHMENT.
The criticism on Birkbeck's notes on
journey in America, ID the Edinburgh he
view of June last, contains passage on the
subject OF Emigration, so deeply founded
in the philosophy Of the human heart that
we have selected it for the perusal OF our
readers, with the most perfect conviction
that the far greater part Of them will agree
with US, that in'doing il We dispose OF so
much Of our columns to greater advantage
than we should do il we appropriated it to
a discussion Of any point of that wearisoIne'
WORKOUT, disgusting, humdrum subject, po-
litics.-The reviewer speaks in the true
spirit of that kind of patriotism which binds
men down to their country by an early I'M
bibed love OF the spot on which they were
born and reared, or, in other words, local
attachment, which he co INSIDERS as an insu-
perable bar to emigration from Europe 10
The new world on the very extensive scale
which many Spectators seem disposed 10
anticipate and OF which Switzerland has
presented such extraordinary proofs that it
has been called the Swiss malady-many OF
that people having languished under it to
death itself, even when the change they
grieyed at, was the superior climate anu
comforts of France itself.
"This" (says The reviewer, after quo
ting a strong and vivid description Of the
advantages attending removal TO this
country - this is unguesllonably one OF
the most tempting ponls OF view IN which
emigration has ever been represented to
men of moderate fortunes and industrious
habits. Yet we are not of the number OF
those who view with alarm the probable
consequences of such a temptation being
held out. After all. says DR.. Smith, man
is, of all luggage, the most difficult to be
transported.-In ruth, he takes such root
wherever he has been planted, that long
after almost all nourishment has been eX-
tracted from it, we find him cling TO its
bare rocks, and rather wither than be torn
away. Ii is in vain To remind him how
bleak tire sky, how scanty the nulrlment,
how exposed to tempests the position. We
find INN rebuilding his cottage upon the
half-cooled lava which has swept all his
possessions away, and obsinateiy refusing
to quit spot OF earth which tine perpetual
conflict Of the elements hardly leave at
rest Tor day. Not even the Presidential
swamps Of Guiana and Java can frighlen
bin from his home, and dissolve the most
powerful of all iies-local attachment In
vain we remind him Of his privatlons, his
sufferings, his risks. He knows il all ne
feels il 10 be dear price Tut his home
he deems above all price, and he willingly
pays it. In vain we paint to his ir1agina.
ton the delights OF happier climates, and
the rich abundance OF more luxurious soils.
He admits Il all {; but in those lands he feels
tina, he would ever be stranger, andaga,nst
all those enjoyments he sets one word
home. Even when he leaves il for a season,
he fondIy dwells upon lis pleasures, now
magnifed in his Imagination, while the
friendly treachegy of his memory sinks
every unplea>ing reality, which fancy had
failed to varnish over with fairy colours
And in the midst OF distant pursuits, which
leave hardly possibility that his connexion
with the sacred spot should ever be other
than nominal, he refuses to give it Up, re
il but name ana his heart loudly protests
against any final step that may dispeI nat
he knows, all the while, to be mere ''u-
sion of the brain. If providence h5d not,
by so powerful an instinct, set IL Canon
against emigration, all the laws oil mar
could never |rave tied the bulk Of any com.
muni'y TO a country where they are doomed
10 pine in want-while ease and comfort
are within their reach, and TO be purchased
by the single act OF changing their MACE OF
abode. Nay With The vast majority ot man
kind, those feelings, which tie rudest eli
mate and meanest lot cannot subdue, are too
strong even for the rudest hand OF the 60
government and its agents-what shape
socver they may assume--whe;her OF IN
quistors. or spies, or mercenaTy troops, o.
collectors Of taxes.
cit thus happens, that unless in circum-
stances the most extraordinary, the number
of emigrants from any community must al
ways bear small proportion to the whole
population.
WINGED GUDGEoSs.