Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-08-14
"MEN AND MANNERS IN AMERICA

In admitting that the standard Of manners in
the United States il somewhat lower than in
England, wish to be understood as speaking
exclusively Of the higher circles in the latter
country. am not aware that, batting few pc.
culiarities. the manners Of the first rate mer.
chants Of New York are at all inferior to those
either OF Liverpool, or any other Of our great
commercial cities. am certain that they are
not inferior to any merchants in the world, in
extent Of practical information, 10 liberality Of
sentiment, and generosity Of character. Most
Of them have been in England, and. from actual
observation, have formed notions OF our national
character and advantages, very different from
the crude and ignorant opinions, which, l must
say, are entertained by the great body of their
countrymen. Were il admissible to form gene
raj conclusions Of the American character, from
that Of the best circles Of the greater Atlantic c-
ties OF the Union, the estimate would be high in
deed.
Unfortunately, however, the conclusions drawn
from premises narrow, would be sadly erro-
neous. The observations already made are ap.
plicable only to very small portion of the po-
pulation, composed almost entirely Of the first
rate merchants and lawyers. Beyond that,
there is a sad change for the worse. Neither in
the manners nor in the morals Of the great body
OF traders. is there much to draw appreciation
from an impartial observer. Comparing them
with the same classes in England, one cannot
but be struck with certain resOlute and obtru-
sive cupldity Of gain, aud laxity Of principle
as to the means of acquiring it, which | should
be sorry to believe formed any part OF the cha
racter OF my countrymen. have heard conduct
praised in conversation at public table, which,
10 Enslsnd, would be attended, IL not with
voyage to Botany Bay. at least with total loss Of
character. 1t is impossible to pass an hour in
the bar Of the hotel, without being struck with
the tone Of calous selh,hness which pervades the
conversation, and the absence Of all pretension
to pure aud lofty principle. The only restraint
upon these men is the law, and he is evidently
considered the most skilful in his vocation who
contrives to overreach his neishbor, without in
curing its penalties.
1t may probably be urged, that. in drawing
these harsh conclusions, l judge ignorantly,
since, having no professional cOnnexi0n with
trade or traders, cannot be supposed to know
from experience any thing of the actual character
of their commercial transactions. To this re-
ply, that my judgment has been formed on much
higher grounds than the experience OF any indi-
vidual could possibly afford. If am cheated in
an affair Of business, can appeal but to single
case Of fraud. | can only assert that a crcum-
stance has happened in America, which might
nave udppVuCu wi W 1uiVpS. Duts
when man publicly Confesses an act OF fraud,
or appiauds il in another, two conclusions are
fairly deducible: First. that the narrator is a
person Of little principles; and, second, that he
believes his audience TO be no better than him.
self. Assuredly, no man will confess any thing
which he imasines may, by possibility, expose
him to contempt; and the legitimate deduction
from such detail extends not only to the narrator
Of the anecdote, but to the company who receiv-
ed it without sign Of moral indignation.
II may be well, however, TO explain, that the
preceding observations have not been founded
exclusively on the population Of New York.
The company in a hotel is generally composed Of
persons from all States in the Union; and il may
be- that the standard of probity is somewhat high
err in this opulent aud commercial city, than in
poorer and more remote settlements. For the last
three weeks have been daily thrown into the
company Of about one hundred individuals, for
tultously collected.
considerable portion Of these are daily
changing. and it is perhaps mt too much to
aye specimen Of their class. Without, therefore,
wishing to lead the reader to any hasty or exas-
gerated conclusion, l must, in candor state, that
the result Of my observations has been to lower
considerably the high estimate had formed Of
the moral character Of the American people.
Though have unquestionaby met in New
York with many most inte lligent and accomplish
ed gentlemen, still, think the fact cannot be de-
MED, that the average of requirement resulting
from education is good deal lower in this coun-
try than in the better circles Of England. In all
the knowledge which must be taught, aRd which
requires laborlous study for its attainment,
should say that the Americans are considerably
inferior to my countrymen. In that knowledge
on the other hand, which the individual acquires
for himself BY actual observation, bears an imme.
dlate marketable value, aud Is directly available
in the ordinary avocations Of life, do not ina,
CINE the Americans are excelled by any people
IN the world. They are. consequently better fit
ted tor analytic than synthetic reasoning. In the
former process they are frequently successful.
In the latter their failure sometimes approaches
the ludicrous
Another resalt of this condition Of intelligence
10, that the tone Of the best conversation il
pitched in a lower key than in England. The
speakers evidently presume on an inferior degree
Of requirement in their audience, and, frequent
L. leem N necessary IN advance deliher 70 o.oof