The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-04-25
AMERICA DEFENDED VS.. M. THEIRS.

Lc1 US nVW turH 10 SouctnluB WHICH COnCernS
America in France.
AMERICA DEFENDED VS.. M. THEIRS.
The French Moderates are led by their prnci-
Piles to a systematic depreciation of everything
American. M. Theirs is noted for his attempts
to discredit the United States. In one Of his
speeches on the law for Public Instruction he said :
f" Look at the tendency of heads of families want
ing their children to learn everything in o short
time. Parents educated their children above
their station, giving them Latin and Greek, and
other things connected with the learned profess
sions, all so slightly that they were for the most
part mere sciolists, knowing little Of everything
and nothing well. This state Of things was de-
structive to the grandeur of the country, and, if
persisted in, would lead France at last 10 the SIT
uation of the american nation, pho gained their
knomledgs from the newspapers. TWAS evident that
a social change ought to be effected in this re-
spectD Cries of Yes yes, on the right
This gratuitous and insulting fling at our in
situations awoks the wrath of W. H. Fry. ESQ,
who published An answer, over bis own signature,
in Galignanrs Messenger of the Goth Of February
As this paper has produced quite sensation in
the English-speaking circles in Paris, being the
subject of both extravagant eulogy and blame, it
would not be proper to pass it without notice. In
the outset of his article, Mr. Fry claims to speak,
not as an American, but as a man. disclaims
national pride, and that horribly. abused Greek
and Latin word patriotism, which is a term
convertible with colossal selfshness, with national
robberes and murders committed for personal
and general aggrandizemelR Having thus taken
high moral position, he aJDgrts his proposition,
that America in essential grandeur, exceeds all
other countries, ancient or modern" He then
passes in review the general diffusion of educa-
ton, the intelligence of the clergy, the great
number of railroads, canals, and teegraphs, the
facility of transport for merchandise the ease and
cheapness of travelling, the s0briety of the sail
ors the smallness Of the army, the extent of the
foreign commerce. the growth of art, the celebrity
of many of the literary and scientific men, such as
Franklin, Carey, Bancroft, Prescott, Irving, Wal
ter johnson, and Audubon. This is followed up
by extracts from the works of travellers, showing
the grandeur of America and the excellence of
her institutions The whole is wound up by q
peroration, remarkable for its strength of style.
Indeed, the answer shows plainly that its author
is a man of ability and rather eccentric withal.
His piece would have lost none Of its real value
by the omission of such phrases as Elastic de-
mocracy is hell proof"-whch startle the quiet
people who read Galignani IS they sip their morn
ing's coffee. A few sentences from this rugged
little phrase, the author gives us q specimen of
"elastic democracy for which he has not prepar-
man who has defended the cause Of the laborer,
and inveighed against aristocracies and tyrannies
through two columns Of close type, to turn round
at the end and undo his work, by apOlogizing for
slavery and Lynch law7 What aristocracy aud
what tyranny does he mean to attack Alas! it
is only what is to be found in Europe, while he
defends the most salient forms Of aristocrscy and
tyranny in his own country. This democracy is
too elastcn to he proof of criticism, although it
may not be proof against the heat Of the place
Mr. F. wishes TO test it in But here is the pas
sage alluded to "Slavery in America, 80 much
abused, is q heapenly destiny for the blacks. 1t
has elevated them from barbarians, killing and
killed 1t huris them on to liberty and Christian
ity Texas will exclude it. The country Of San
Francisco has excluded 1t. Nay, more the Amer
lean colony Of Liberia, democratic though black,
will within a century carry glad tidings to the
heart Of Africa. So, TOO, Lynch law is stupidity
held in chronic dishonor. But it Is the safety Of
the back woods 1t puts to shame the late Draco
code Of England. 1t saved California in her rst
season.
What precious tumble Of ideas here il, to be
surel We would humbly suggest to Mr.. F. that
it is not in perfect taste to brand as stupid seven
tenths of his fellow citizens who hold Slavery
and Lynch law in " chronic dishonorn And
this, too, in defence Of Americans Fie, Mr..
'"io 'O0"o INV "o"S'hB yVuf o"u
under the pretext of indicating them from the
aspersions Of M. Theirs And do enlghten us
on one point. How long do you suppose this
heavenly destiny of slavery will be "hurlmg"
the blacks on to liberty2 Apparently, the rate
Of hurluag is very slow one, as the blacks have
been hurled on to more than two millions and
half who are still enjoying the heavenly desti-
N.Y. What has connected in w II. FPS mind
the idea Of Heaven with that of the slave States
must be the analogy-that few enter either place
And then, MIR. Fry, if slavery is heavenly, why
hnri the blacks on to liberty, which must be hill
nh There is a curious confusion in Mr.. F,s
mind, of slavery, Lynch law, and Heaven. The
fact roundly asserted, Of the salvation of Cal
ifornia by Lynch law, is novel and startling
Other Americans, and certainly all the Europe
ans, were laboring under the illusion that the un-
settled state Of things in California, during the
first year, the violences and murders committed
had hindered the immigration Of large numbers
Of peaceable and industrious persons. But Il
seems that everybody was mistaken.
The authors touch at the colony Of Liberia
democratic though black n-is worthy Of the
rest Of the picture. Certainly it would Be natu.
raj for those who hsd been forcibly excluded
from the Heaven Of American slavery TO est up
an imitation Heaven on the shores OF Airios,