The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-21

will be as pleased to play host to them, as
SEWARD was in New York
Icy THE "PHARE DE New YORK." in its
second number contains AN interesting compare
son between what it calls le genie American
ct lie genie Francois, that is, in plain English,
the genius, predominating character or DISPOSE
ton of the nations as developed by education.
"Since the foundation of the French repub-
lie, many persons are inclined to look at all its
acts, and Judge all its faults by COMPARISON
with the example and institutions OF the United
States. Without considering the difference OF
manners, Of organization, Of position and poll
teal circumstances, they point to the beat
track, and are amos. indignant that France does
not follow it ut once. Some would fan per-
suade themselves that she is nation in state,
of decay, because in the space OF three years
she has been unable to model her institutions
exactly after those Of America. But justice
demands that the relative positions Of the two
countries should be first considered.
| The greatest obstacle to the establishment of
new order of things lies, not in the consttu-
ton and organic laws of State but in the in
stincts and habits of nation which survive every
revolution accomplished in the form Of the gov
ernment Now, of all the nations of the earth,
it would be difficult to find one that presents so
many points of resistance to change, as that OF
France.
| No people aspires more ardently after changes
of beneficial nature; and yet none is more
profoundly attached TO its habits and usages.
In its Impotence OF the present, it isever dream
ing better future, without we'll weighing the
sacrifices which it must pay for it, and scarcely
does it obtain it's wishes, than it has regrets for
the past. Tae consequence is a great facility in
overturning what exists,--and we have proof
enough Of it in hstory--and an immense diih-
Guilty IN substituting for it, something durable
and dehnitive. The embarrassment commences
Immediately after the victory.
\ The Americans, on the contrary, are not by
nature exposed to engage in enterprises impelled
| by mere love of change. However hazardous
and unknown may be the way on which poll
ties sometimes lead them, we may always be
pretty sure that their line of conduct is traced
out beforehand, and that they will follow 1t out,
and only make such devations from it as the
circumstances may demand. They may not ar
rived at the end proposed; but if they do, then
perseverance will be sure to find its reward.
I This difference in the manner of proceeding
Of the two nations. depends upon moral condi
tons which time alone can modify, if ever. How
which prompts them to throw themselves over
in advance of the present? How prevent them
| from straiDiDg their eyes to the extremity OF the
horizon, before we'll examining the road which
separates them from it! How, in the place of
marching with feverish ardor toward distant
regions, or turning their eyes increasingly to-
ward a half vanished perspective, get them to
consent to remain within the circle of the pre-
sent? 1t would be necessary to change their very
nature to freeze their ardent imagination; that
powerful imagination, which though guilty OF
many faults, has nevertheless had the immortal
glory of giving to the world its most beautiful
discoveries and its most imperishable works of
| art.
The American possesses in the highest degree
precisely that quality which we want: GOODNESS,
or the power of sobery examining what is pre-
scented to him. However splendid and attractive
the prospect before him, he does not allow him
self to be dazzled so as not to measure the dis
lance and calculate all the difficulties He
marches toward the end certainly with hope, but
without illusion. Thanks to his impassability,
reason does not abandon him-he can stop in
time or return, if necessary to his former posi-
| ton.
| We will not say that one of the two nations
is incapable of generous enthusiasm; but there
is distinct difference in the manner in which each
| of them carries it out.
Their social condition is equally dssimar and
contributes not little to render the contrast
more striking Whilst the Unite States opens
| her vast territory to human activity, and every
position in life is still free and unrestricted
France sees her compact population struggling
for existence within limits almost insufficient for
it. In the former there is an unlimited space
where every one may pitch his tent without
| e lon nd IN Hy in fha
latter, whoever has once obtained position,
guards it lealously, for once lost, it would be diff
| fcut to find another. Hence in the American a
complete indifference respecting what he has,
and perpetual aspiration after something more
I whilst the Frenchman, by an opposite sentiment
attaches himself to his acquired position with
obstinacy, somewhat exaggerated, yet still logical
| Thus the parts of each are for the moment
changed, and he who little before was the most
adventurous, the most easy to entice into the
middle of political storms, becomes timid, and
deaf to all appeals, from the moment where he
sees his own private interest at stake.
The education of each nation must necessa-
ry partake Of this state of things, and contrib
utes in its turn to maintain it. The American
system of instruction is the same for all citi
zens (; il consists Of elements extremely simple,
but within the reach of all classes and intelle-
/ gencleS. ana SuluCleni W pftpaib iuah lol iht
eventualities of his existence. Furnished with
these general ideas, the child is thrown without
fear upon the world, with the certainty Of being
able to fight his way even handed with his fell
lows, and make position for himself sooner or
later. Among us il is far otherwise, our youth,
after receiving an amount of education as varied
as the difference in their fortunes and personal
| qualifications, enter the world with the fixed
idea that each one has his career traced out from
the beginning, and that, no matter what hap
pens, he must not quit it,
Thus freedom of action and movement is as
absolute among the former, as it is paralized
among the latter.
Whichever way then we examine the ques-
ton, we shall find between the two nations
nothing but contrasts. That each should be
animated by the same love Of liberty, by the
same desire of supremacy, is nothing surprs-
ing; such sentiments are common to all nations
that are vigorous and progressive. But to sup
IL