American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-06-23

IL Llt EiON DEN, til AN I-nDhBJb.
About l o'clock last night, the Waterman
stationed in St. Charles street, opposite Lafay
cite Square, found an individual ''couchant'
on the pine-block pavement in that neighbor-
hood. Having an lnsurmoantabe objection to
any thing stationary-an objection so great
that he keeps his accounts on a notched stick
to avoid using pens and paper-he babe him
''move on" This language, which was spok
en- in the potential rather than IN the impera-
tive mood-whch was more a request than a
communicates allowed to pass unnoticed by
the recumbent gentleman; on seeing which,
the Waterman applied pcrsuader, in the shape
OF his baton to his side.
''Hallo!n said he whose lodging was on the
cold ground, 'hallo, there! what's that Ii
you want to become drum-beater to an auc-
tioneer, you had better find something else
than my ribs to practice on"
"Get up" said Charley, ''and keep movin;'
you are already behind the age; if you lie in
the public street you will not only he passed
by but run over. What's your name?"
'Peter Plowden, said that gentleman rising
up, "but should like to know what business
that is of yours"
''Peter," said the Waterman, 81 knows you
and | knows you to be humbug''
"Well, SIR" said Peter, speaking in tone
his actions were about to DO misconstIued,
"well, sir, and if | am, what of it? Is not
humbug the all-pervading principle Of the
times? Ike the oxygen in the atmosphere, does
1t not infuss itself into every department of
hfe-every ramitication Of society? Is not
humbug the fulcrum by which your cunning
men move the masses--the lever by which the
selfish ascend to place and power. The"
ooh, that's all very WE'LL" reto-ted the
Waterman, 'but it amt no defence for laying
in the streets"
"Certainly not" reoned Powden, "because
humbug, aud not the principles of law and
Justice, will decide my case. Talk of tai
ent, patriotism and genius-it's humbug, all
sheer humbug, sir. Talent was never known
to do more than serve as stills for hunabug; pa
triotism, whenever it has taken the field, has
fallen sacrifice to humbug or left it laureless;
and genius has been but the tail ofthe kite that
guided the flight of humbug. Why, sir, let
either talent, patriotism or genius start on a
race with humbug, and if it would not iostle
them altogether off the track it ould distance
them long before they could get within sight of
the winning post-usng the refined idiom of
the times, they couldn't come it, No, my
friend, (here he assumed patronizing air to-
wards the watchman,) if you have children,
and would have them to succeed in the world,
teach them-though doubt if you know how
but at all events have them taught the SCI
ence-or at least the first principles of humbug;
all the rest-including the living and the dead
languages-they will learn themselves; be-
sides
Besides, )" said the Waterman, 81 reckons
you's beside Yourself"
''Yes," said Peter Plowden, "and Pm before
the humbugged and behind the humbugs.-
They move along on the electromagnetic
speed principle. In fact sir, as believe |
have already remarked, although without prin-
ciple themselves theirs is an all-pervading prin-
ciple. Humbug mixes our physic, makes our
laws and administers our Justice. 1t POUNDS
new systems of philosophy and enlarges the
limits of philanthropy. 1t forms societies for
the preservation of our bodies and institutes as
,ociations for the safety of our souls. In short,
Charley" said Mr.. Plowden, familiarity ad-
dressing the functionary who had awoke him,
''humbug is the great motive power OF niah-
kind, as the world is now constituted; and I'M
less can contrive to get on little more of its
steam than | have heretofore done, my loco
motive on the railroad Of prosperity will, fear,
be slow indesd.''
The Waterman said there was "sum'ut'' IN
what he said, but still he felt bound to take him
to the watch-house.
New York HIsToRIcAL SocIETY-Respect
to Gen Jackson-Spsech of Mr.. Webster. The
New York Historical Society held meeting