Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-01-11
From the New York Journal Of Commerce.
View nf Congress.

That the annexed letter may be properly appreci-
ated we take the liberty to say that it is from the
pen of distinguished French gentleman who has
been brought to this country by desire to study the
character of institutions and people, well as
in furtherance of certain scientific enterprises which
he is prosecuting with great ZEAL and with encoura
ging prospects of success On his return to France
It is his Intention believe to publish the results
case we may expect work Of great interest and val
ne:
WASHINGTON, December, IS49
g Here I am, in the American capital. Washing
ton is the head of empire larger than that of the
Romans who filled the world with their renown-I
The moderns hasten visit the remains of the great
republics of antiquity they go among the ruins of
palaces of columns, of triumphal arches, and medi
tate on the Instability of human grandeur Such
mediatons are rather meditations death than life
The torch of civilization has left the Roman world
civilization has crossed the Atlantic it is the
American shores that the true philosopher must come
to study the life and the growth othe largest empire
now existing.
In the Old World nations employed many centu-
ries to attain grandeur and civilization the Ameri-
can empire has become great and civilized in less
than century 1t may be said to have sprung like
Minerva from the head of Jupiter. Washington
brings to mind Rome Not that the seven hills are
to be SEEM but because in this vast area few houses
scattered here and there. But while the voids in
Rome result from the rayages of time, and cover
ed with ruins, the voids in Washington those of
virgin soil, and, while every day increases the
mains of Rome, every day fills space marked by the
foresight of the founder of Washington.
True it is St. Peters is larger than the Ameri-
Capitol but St. Peters the last effort of the
Roman power, dwindling into the hands of Pope.
"The institutions that made Rome great could a.
lone keep it So AS long as those institutions were
supported the large basis of the people, the Roman
empire stood but it vacillated and fell when the
publican institutions became corrupted when power
passed into tyrant's hands.
Tn all ntrieS ofo
strength They have similar wants, they have SINH
lar passions. Institutions do not destroy strength
wants. and passions, but develop and regulate them
So long America remains faithful to her institu
tons, so long will she prosper.
. At the opening of session | was anxious to
observe the workings of these institutions, do not
know, care to know, what has been written from
Washington by various correspondents belonging to
different parties but that during twenty days of in
organization much order should have reigned, al
though the lower Chamber presided over only
by clerk, is to subject admiration. The de-
alterations were steady and comparatively calm,
sidering the great questions that agtated. A
Speaker becoming candidate in night obtaining
one hundred and twelve votes, and falling suddenly
to the ground we'll angry words spoken
in the heat of debate, trifes when COM
pared to what passes in another republic the other
side of the Atlantic.
s'Americans are evidently made for self-govern-
ment, and the last twenty days passed in abnor-
NAL state, support this opinion. Yet | admire the
foresight of the trainers of the Constitution who placed
the seat of the empire far from the operation Of a
mob. Had the Congress been held in New York.
Paris, or London, it would have been impossible to
prevent the mob from assembling around the build
ing and the deliberations would have been infuen-
ced by the pressure from without
Indeed, the members went to Congress as to a
scientific meeting they stocally bore the tedousness
of sixty-four ballots, and ended by organizing the
House. To unpreiudiced mind, the calm and per
feet quietness of all the citizens of the Union during
shows marked difference he
tween the United States and European governments
The President waited patiently the organization Of
the House. and the country did the same certain
are the Americans that they masters of them
the vessel of State cannot be wrecked on grain Of