The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1840-11-21
CITY OF WASHINGTON,

Of Just and rational Iiberty.-The necessi-
ties of society, the different grades that
must exist in it, and the essential, unera-
dicable inferority of the negro race, can
all be treated III manner within the COM
prehension of the youthful and expanding
nind. Turn over the pages of almost
any one OF our numerous school books,
composed mostly of extracts from English
authors, and one is astonisl,ed at meeting
with articles and essays that are Trades
against this institution aud libels upon
those who sustain il.
Again, a large portion of the contents
ofthese books is devoted to the illustration
of foreign history, and eulogies upon the
splendid monarchies Of the old world
sustained by hereditary faces of titled no
bIcmen. The immortalzed glory ofsome
conqueror is placed in dazzling colors be-
fore the youthful imagination, and most
naturaliyan readilyisthe spirit ofenuons
imitation aroused. We mention these one
or two instances, merely as illustrations of
the tendency Of these books, composed of
extracts from foreign writers, used IN our
schools and academies and the memory
of any one can readily suggest to him va
rious others.
The influence Of these works. read and
re-read III childhood and youth, portions
of which are frequently committed to me-
mory, must be deep and lasting. Is it not
manifest, however, and that without argu-
ment, that their tendency is totally anti
American Do not American character,
history and biography, the principles OH
which our institutions, social and political,
are founded, the destinies of our country
and the duties of her citizens, afford
themes sufficient for the books which are
placed in the hands and must, to an in
calculable extent, form the character of
our rising generations ? Assufedly they
do Not that we would by any means
prescribe the literature and history of an
tiquity or of modern Europe. Far from
it. But while the character is forming
aud the mind is becoming imbued with
principles that will through life assert
their ascendancy, we would prefer to have
that character formed upon the American
model, and that mind mbued with the
peculiar principles of our republican Ii
berty.
We remember to have once seen the
details of plan proposed by that erratic
genius, Gen. Duff Green, for the establish
ment OF an extensive manual labor institu-
ton, in which practical printing should
form a pa art of the exercises of the stu
dents. American works only were to be
printed, and premiums, together with the
copyright. offered for "A series of school
books embracing the whole course of
academlcal education, and devoted exclu-
Isively to American subjects, such as the
history of the country, biographies of its
distinguished men, nature and principles
of our republican government, &c. This
latter feature of the plan was decidedly
desirable one, and we hope to see its sug-
ges'ions followed out by some literary as
ISOLATION or education society.
We will doubtless by some be charged
with an over scrupulosity, and undue SEN
sitiveness, on this subject. OF the Just
hess Of our cause. and the rcasonobleness
OF our apprellcnsions, we are. however,
ourselves perfectly satisfied Our repnb-
lcan government rests peculiarly upon
the intelligent and virtuous character Of
the people. A national character is es-
sential to the perpetliity If national in
situations. If foreign principles and
customs, if an admiration for the mon
arches and arstocracies Of Europe, if
he vices and tolieS of her bloated, per-
haps, miscahed, civilization. shall con
tinue to spread aud extend their influence
over our population, it requires not that
the prophets mllte should have fallen
upon us to give us u foresight of the down
fal and decay of Our glorious fabric Of po-
pular liberty.
We have thus far discussed some of
the causes which have inpeded the de-
velopment ola distinct national character.
In another number we will illustrate
some of those distinguishing traits that
still characterize the American people.
Some little excitement was produced
at Mobile recently, by the intelligence re-
ceived that number Of colored fellows
were about to be landed at Mobile from
Alexandria ID. G. for sale. II appears that
they were from the jails in Virginia, and
had been released by the Governor on
condition tllat they should be sent out of
the State. The contractor, however,
shipped them for Mobile, and the Govern
or of Virginia, on learning the. fact in
formed the authorities there. The brig
arrived, but none of the persons aboard
were permitted to land, and she accor-
|dingy sailed, it is supposed, for New Or
leans. The contractor is liable to a pen