The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-12-12
LETTER FROM BOSTON.

BosToN, December 6, 1850
To the Editor of the National Era:
Everybody is engaged this week in discussing
the Presidents message and the accompanying
reports With the former the Hunkersm of
both parties is in raptures, of course. The ldis-
seq fare doctrine is ever palatable with that wor
thy faction, from whatsoever source it comes.
But one opinion seems to be expressed in re-
gard to the Postmaster General, recommending,
as it does a reduction of postage. This is a
measure on which the People have set their hearts,
and have it they will and although the reduc-
ton proposed is not such as could be wished, still
it would be hailed with pleasure, as preparatory to
a still greater reduction. Two cents prepaid on
the single letter must eventually be the rate of
postage throughout the United States. The Peo-
pie demand it but if the present Congress will
give US the reduction proposed by the report, of
three cents prepaid, and five cents not prepaid
we may compromise" for the present
Last week, Thanksgiving and the great HUI
initiation Meeting were the great events. Loud
was the cacklng in poultrydom, great the chuck
ling on State street.
The " Coalitionn met in considerable numbers
at Faneuil Hall in the midst of drilling rain.
The shibboleth of cottonocracy had gone FORTH
and the faithful troops were on the ground, pre-
pared with reverent genufexions and sycophantic
protestations to appeasc the Southern Moloch
Whiggery and Locofocoism met in maudling en-
brace, and stood with uplfted eyes, to see Messrs
Choate, Hallet, Curtis, &c, save the Union The
saving process, as conducted by these gentle
men, was fully entitled to the dramatic criticism
of being good acting. The bugbear of Disunion
was duly paraded in all its terrors the country
was tottering, falling, and one course alone re
NAMED, by which to avert the threatened ruin
In one way the Union may yet be saved But
how Bend your-knees, ye sons of New Eng
land, and here, we men of Boston, in full view of
Bunker's Hill, bow down your necks, receive your
masters collars-give in your submission-do
homage to the monster Slavery-perform the ty-
rants bidding, and all will yet be well Such is
fair paraphrsse of the doctrines which these
gentlemen gravey strove to instil into the minds
of Northern freemen Truly, one could laugh
at such subserviency, but all subjects are not suit
ed TO comedy.
On Wednesday evening c. p r. James Esq,
lectured before the Mercantile Library A,socia-
ton His subject was {" The Anglo-Saxon racer
Mr.. James took survey Of the race from their
earliest history so far as it is known, touching
upon their manners, customs, laws and character
stics, in different ages, and concluding with de-
scription Of their condition at the death of King
Alfred The principal traits by which they were
distinguished at this period from other nations
were, according to the lecturer, their system Of
jurisprudence and their gluttony The subject
was we'll treated, but the time was too limited to
do it justice. DR.. Orville Dewey, Of New York,
delivers the next lecture before The Association.
The Poetry of Science" is the title of a nice
little volume, by Robert Hunt, which has been
lately republished in this city. The object Of
the author is to lead the mind, by the coDtempla-
ton of Nature, cup to Natures Godp lie pre-
sents in a brief condensed and forcible manner, |
the various scientific facts Of the present age, |
which bear upon natural phenomena as seen in
the differA conditions of matter and shows their
mutual dependence and relations to the great
system of the universe. This Is one Of those
books that every body ought to read.
Rev Matthew Hale Smith, recently dismissed |
from the pastoral charge Of the Church Of the
Pilgrims, in this city, has been admitted TO the
practice Of law in the various courts in this Com
monwealth Mr.. s. has been engaged for some
months in the study Of law with the Hon, Rufus
Choate; and it is understood has signifed, by
letter to the Clerical Association with which he
has been connected his withdrawal from the min
istry and the reasons which have led him to adopt
this course
The weather for several days has been change
able in the extreme, with prevailing east winds,
however, and considerable rain. To-day little |
snow is falling, and the air is as damp and chill
as though we had a family party OF icebergs for
next door neighbors GIL b.