The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-06

FoREIeH NEWSPAPERS TIE UNITED STArns-
UNITY OF THE AMERICAN REPuBLIc.-Few persons,
We believe, nave any idea of the great amount Of
foreign literature which fourishes in our CON-
munity, and throughout the Union in general.
Some conception may be formed of its great ex
tent, by consideration of the number Of newspa-
psrs in foreign languages, which published in
various parts of the United States, and which meet
with such patronage as to render them lucrative
TO their propnetors. We have three or four Ger
man newspapers in New York alone and there is
scarcely city of any consequence in the Union
where at least one newspaper entirely German, is
not well supported Then, again, we have French
papers, Italian papers, Spanish papers, Franco-Ita-
lian, ADeo-Franc, Anglo Italian, and others,
published in New York, In New Orleans, in Phila-
delpha, in Boston, in Baltimore, in st. LOUIS, and
other cities of the Union. These facts tend to
show The immense foreign population settled down
among and become thoroughly Americanized in
all cacep; their ancient language, which cannot be
20 easily changed. II is famous law maxim
Memo potsn erues pdtrian !" but we believe it
would be more correct If applied to his language
and mother tongue
Among the numerous reflections to which the
facts above mentioned give rise nothing strikes US
as being more worthy Of remark than the fact of
the unity of the great North American republic, in
the midst of elements apparently so dscordant and
conflicting.
This unity ofthe Americ people and nation il,
IN fact, one Of the most remarkable phenomena in
the history Of nations. Under all the various
phases in which the action Of our free institutions
has been considered and sulogised, this singular
and remarkable feature has, we believe, escaped
particular observation and remark. Its parallel,
however, is not to be found in any other people.
We are composed, in the aggregate, OF many peO-
pie, nations, and tongues and yet, under the
smalgamating influence and equality of our
republican principles and organization, we form
Z more compact and more united people
than many nations of the old world, which
have remained for ages isolated and un-
mixed with any other people. In those old eoun-
tries, there often are in the same nation, and
among the same people, constituting by birth and
language one single family, far greater divisions
and social distinctions than are TO be found among
US, Notwithstanding the heterogeneous nature of
the elements which compose our national exls-
tence. They may be said to be homogeneous bo-
dies, and yet they are divided into classes which
never cohere or unite; while we, on the other
hand, are, as it were, an heterogeneous COM
pound, and yet we unite and cohere to form one
great united coherent and homogeneous political
body. 1t is q sublime, wonderful spectacle (!
Few people, perhaps, are aware Of the varied ma
lure of the elements of which we are composed.
In all our great cities, in al our extended coun-
try, there are vast masses of what may be called
foreign people, who csmbine, with the utmost ia
ciliiy and good order, TO form, with ourselves, one
united people. In New York, there are thousands
Of Germans. Italians, English, Swedes, Spaniards,
and others, who, on touching our shores, lose all
their distinctive nationality, and become merged
in the one cognomen OF American people. 1t is
the eame throughout the Union. Such is the
wonderful effect of the civil and religious liberty
we enjoy. Such is tn. influence Of our political
equality. Such the action Of our republican sys-
tenn Esfo pUpefua.