The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-10

For the Union.
1--WE ask change and least of ALL such change thou
AL-LEG-AH-NI-A.-The two articles in Yesterday
"Union," on the new nomenclature proposed by the
New York Historical Society, suggested the follow
ing reflections:
"Algania," the proposed name in its most eupho-
NOUS form, does not stake" with the sapans any
more than with the mass Of the people. Everybody
in every section Of the Union, writes, talks, and
votes against it. ! am informed that, at the last
meeting of that society the 9th instant, the ma
jorty Of letters on the subject elected at the in
stance of the society from distinguished individuals
were decidedly inimica to the proposed change
With Mr.. Van Buren,, l doubt the necessity, OF
even the expediency, of it, In truth, the verdict Of
large majority Of the whole eAmericann people
(unless very much mistake the signs Of the times)
has been already given in favor of retaining the
present name of our republic; and l cannot bring
my own mind to forego a name SO expressive, and
endeared TO us by so many venerable associations
and indissolubly connected with the very history
and laws of our country.
Now that the question of change is no longer
mooted, it may be deemed work Of supererogation
TO continue to wage battle against it; but must be
permitted to place on record few thoughts that
seem not to have been alluded to by previous wri.
tiers. The New York Historical Society seems 70
lay much stress on the remark of Washington Ir.
wing, that 1--WE want new national name politically
well as poetically;" position that surely needs
demonstration. Our national names Of aColumbia'
and "Fredona" have been "borne along the tide OF
song' with success, and the inventive skill of the
"genus imaginative" can readily add to the num-
fee, the Greek for "Eageland, or other as appro.
pirate. So much for the poetic part of the subject
Adopting new national name POLITICALLY, is moi
only nexpedent, but may be reprehensible. Polit.
ically we not unit, but unity the States are
Free yet bound with chain of alliance, independ
ent,. yet united sovereign, but confederated. Ac-
cordingiy, any name which does not express this
unity or league, which would tend to foster the
idea Of political consolidation in the minds Of the
people, as a State-rights man cannot approve Of
maintain, that we have name thus express
sive--"the United States" There are, it is true
considerations of States in other parts of the world
but we are emphatically "the United States''-s
national name Of which no other nation car
with justice deprive US. These very confedera
tons alluded to, in their own diplomatic Ian.
guage, recognise our republic as "L'Etats Unis'
and no other. Even the term american" has be-
come specific name for the people of the United
States. We are emphatically and exclusively 18th,
Americans" 1 assert it on good and numerous au
thortes that citizen of confcderacy travelling
in Europe, when designated as ''an American,
would be taken for none other than United States
man. Says an objector: sNorth America includes
Canada, Mexico, and Texas" but is Canadian
Mexican, or Texan, designated abroad an Amer
| ican' think not 1t is absurd to contend, thai
| he who calls himself 'san American co nonrine
| raises a doubt as to his nationality. The term
American" as applied to this nation, may moi
originally land at the time Mr.. Irving refers to-
have been so distinctive as it now Isl yet becomes
more aud more so our country advances in age and
greatness. The anticipated fate of Texas fore.
shadows in itself the gigantic strides of country
| to the destiny which awaits her. The occupation
Of Oregon extends boundaries from the Atlantic
TO the Pacic-from the ocean Of storms to that more
~
always sublime" In prophetic vision can bt
seen the coming glores of this 'and with opershad
ocing ,cings," when will be rendered exclusively ap
propriate the of .4nercan republic as applied
to this heaven-favored land of ours! Would il not
then, be almost sacriege to change name which j.
| pregnant with SO high destiny
On the supposition that expediency or conve
nience demanded change of our national name
| some word should be coined expressive of our po
litical character. i accede to the proposition thai
| such word might, with most propriety, be drawn
| from the languages Of our aborgines. But at tn,
| same time, in selecting word, regard should bs
had to the Specification Of the derivative word. Ac
| cordng to the unquestioned authority of Hecke
welder, the name Manhattan" is derived from thu
Lenape Cor Delaware) word "Manhattanick," tn,
| meaning whereof is, the place where we all go
unk"-referring to a well-known scene that tool
place on the first landing of European vessel on New
York island There are many cogent reasons why thu
shutting the name Manhattan for New York, Their,
is an inseparabe objection in my mind arising from
the meaning of the word. So in regard to the name
Aleghana. This word is derived from the aborigin
al word "Alegen'-(ge,cD signifyng ",ohite lol
fairy people, name given by the Delaware In
dams to white race Of people, whom they, (ths
Delawares,) on crossing the Mississippi from thu
northwest, found dwelling on the range of noun
tans now called the Allegheny. Methinks il would
have been more appropriate to have selected name
more Indicative Of our national character than this
We have such name in the language of the Fro
qua. This nation consisted of conederacy of tribes
who chose their own rulers to govern their owr
tribes respectively, and representatives in their ma
tional council, the fire Of which burned in Onondaga
New York. They had really republican form o
government, and were the sovereigns of large por
ton Of the territory which afterwards comprised thu
original Thirteen United States. They called them
selves "United Bravesn--in their language Aganu
sioni; or, according to one dialect, "Aquanusioni.'
Hence derive Agania, Aquania, &c. But am wan
dering from my text.
G. F. Y.
WAsHNeroN CITY, d. c., May 9, 1s45.
| tad.