Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-18
From the Scioio (Ohio) Gazette.

HE y MERRIAM NiiNN-NS LIN
II has been common remark among The
people OF Europe, that the Americans have no
national eharacter-a Judgment which is ralh-
or distinguished for its want oil acute oOSerVa-
ton. than for its uncandid and liberal survey Of
our society. In reality, no idea can be more
mistaken, and no error more striking'y shows
the difficulty with which old associations are
broken and new ideas are permitted 10 obtain
access to the mind. Society in thess states is
modelled after a very different fashion from
what il is in the old world: and those who con-
sent % be the inattentiye observers OF II, must
no, be amazed if in the vehement pursuit alter
knowledge of all kinds, which marks The peri
Oh in which we live, they should be discovered
TO be ignorant Of some Of the most interesting
facts in the history cscur species.
Ii is not character vi ich we want. 1t is on
" true that we have few Of those broad pecuii-
aritie. OF temperament which are noticed "a
mong other .op.e, and vi iCh are considered
as stampiug q aan them a distin. gushing and
inGe!ible character. Thus toe Frenchman is
remarked Tor his ,ivaoi,y and talkativcness SIS;
the Spaniard for his cold and naughty reserve;
the Dane for his phicgmatic disposition. The
absence Of singular traits OF this descriptions
may in reality be an indication OF a very extra
ordinary cast OF character, although there
position SO prominent as 10 win The attention OF
a general observer. III indeed those peculiari
ties can only be controlled and suhdued by 9th
or qualities Of more masculine complexion,
there can be nothing improbable in the asser-
ton that the American people arc distinguish
ed by as marked and well defined lines OF char
acter as any nation Oh the globe.
A people W 40 are addicted to martial pur
suits, or people who are animated by an at.
,achmcnt TO bigotted and cruel religion, are
understood by very one 10 be impressed with a
visible national character; while people who
are al once distinguished for commercial &C
tivity, political ,sagacity, and civil courage,
qualities which suppose if they do not create a
character Of great aud decided energy, are treat.
cd as deficient in national character. But wrl-
tiers who profess TO be engaged in an inquiry
into the national ChaTa, ter OF other people, are
in reality, only discussing the existence OF some
predominant temperament; while in this coun-
try, mere physical causes and even external cir
cumslances are SO much subjected 10 the will
Of the individual, that for that very reason you
will in vain look for the gay and airy fancy Of
the Italian, the elastic vivacity Of the French
men, or the sombre gravity Of the Spaniard. l
should saw that the Americans have a more
marked personal character than any other peo-
ple, and that this is the distinguished national
trait. The character Of the individual is more
thoroughly developed among US, and so univer-
sav is this the case, that instead OF destroy ing,
it mainly contributes 20 the existence OF one
general and uniform character. That sameuess
of manners which is denominatsd national, may
be produced by very different causes, and be-
cause in Europe, old institutions which derive
Irresistible strength from immemorial usage,
have fashioned the national disposition after one
despotic model, it does not follow that the same
uniformity may not exist where the freedom
from external restraint has quickened into ac-
tivity the efforts Of every class Of men in the
community. England and America indeeda APP
pear to me 10 be the two countries in which the
people have the most decided national charac-
ter. - do not know, but might add that they