Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-09-07

| \ NATIONAL TRAIT.-Nations have
their pocuiiarites as we'll as individuals
The various traits Of character which dis
tinguish individuals, arise from multitude
Of causes while those which mark the
character Of nations grow out Of but one
| circumstance, which is education. 1t is
equally hard for nations to discover fully
their own ccccntricities as for individuals.
The people Of the United States arc free
| to crltlcisc the forms of government, and
the habits and manners Of other nations,
but arc apparently unwilling 10 extend the
same prcrogatlvc to others. Our people
have been educated in the belief that our
form Of government approaches to perfect
Utility, and that the genius Of our nstu-
tons transcends in wisdom all others. 1t
is true that every American has ample
cause TO be proud of his country, but it be-
trays a weakness and sell-conccit forus 10
imagine that we as nation, have approx
!mated TO condition Of perfection, beyond
which there can be no Improvement.
1t will be recollcctcd that Mr. John S.
Buckingham, denomiuated "the Oriental
Traveler," gentleman of distinguished
literary attainments, and Briton by birth.
visited this country some year or two since.
His lectures Of travel on modern Asia and
Africa, excited universal interest in this
country. Literary associations rendered
him public thanks.and the press was liberal
in its praises. Every mark of respect which
is due TO literary merit and distinction, was
bestowed upon him. This same Mr.. Buck
ingham has recently written a book on
America, in VI hich he has seen fit to animad-
vertupon some of our institutions and peculi-
ar traits Of character. The reprint of this
book in United States, has excited quite
sensation among portion Of the press,
and those who but q short time since were
loudcst in the praises Of Mr.. Buckin CHAM,
arc now among his most violent condem-
ners. The discovery is now made that
Mr.. Buckingham, was no gentleman on this
side of the Atlantic, and that he is the vcries,
imposter living.
This extreme scnsatveness with regard
to the criticism of foreigners, is peculiar to
the people of this country-it is one Of our
Sfr hnv OF II i, Al
all other nations are comparatively barba-
rams, consequently have no right to ques-
ton the infalbility of our government, or
the correctness Of our national habits and
manners. A foreign critic may publish a
review Of the character and literature OF
the United States, and provided he lauds
every thing, he is sure to tie treated with
great complaccncy by the American com
munity. But if ne sees ought in this coun-
try which he is disposed to ccnsure or con-
denim, the cry is instantly raised-off with
his head. Mr.. Buckingham is by no means
the first foreign writer of book on Anne
RIGA, who has ruffled the temper Of the
people. Capt. Basil Hall, Miss Martineau.
and others, have each in turn wounded the
sen>ibilities Of the people Of the United
States, and called forth the maedictions
Of the press. Mrs. Trollop's book, is yet
fresh in the minds Of all. A woman of no
extraordinary talent, and scarcely known
among the literary circles Of England; We,
her domestic manners.in America" threw
the whole nation into commissions, and ex-
cited its excavations, The press from Maine
TO Louisiana, teemed with invections a.
[ galnst the book, and the hitherto isolated
authoress was speedily brought into noto-
rlety before the world. Mrs. Troliop doubt
less is indebted to this sensitive trait 10 the
American character, for her present extern