The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-28

but too palpable to the naked eye that we cut but
a sorry figure in many Of the departments Of
industry and art. II was discovered, perhaps
for the first time by some, that we could
not beat all creation in every thing; that some
folks could do some things as well as We. and
trifle better
This was wet-blanket 10 our vanity, but
no bad cure for it. However, after all, we
had some things to be proud of; we certainly
did beat all in the art of sculpture; there was
nothing in the Palace that could compare with
the "Greek Slave;" and in our farming uten-
slls, agricultural labor-saving machines, car
riages, light wagons, and sulkies, sleighs, and
some other articles, we stand confessedly fore
most.
The lesson we have been taught by the Great
Exhibition is most salutary one, and might be
vastly profitable to us if we would but profit by
it; but we apprehend we shall do no such thing;
the idea of our own superiority over all the
world, in every thing, has taken too deep
root in the public mind to be affected by the
opportunity we have had of comparing our
selves, and being compared by others, with
''all the world and the rest of mankind;" and
we know that SO long as an individual enter
tains notion that he is superior TO everybody
else in every thing, he is little disposed to
correct his faults or set about the work of self
improvement; and so it is with nations.
Let us not be misunderstood We are not
endsavoring to depreciate our nation, but to
correct some Of its faults, and show it that it
may yet improve. We are a young nation,
| and as such have performed miracles, as COM
pared with others; still, however, we have
much to do, and we shall do it-only let us not
| think we are greater and more advanced than
we really are let us not exhibit an overween-
ing self-conceit and national vanity We have
much to be proud of, but in some respect less
than we once had; for we were once more
order-loving and law respecting people than we
now are; crime has fearfully increased amongst
US, and we fear there is less of reverence and
respect, not only for the laws and judicial tr-
bunals, but for age, character, and sacred
things, than there once was. But above all,
and most of all, there is less attachment to the
UNION; for, whereas it was once looked to and
spoken of with the greatest possible reverence,
and no thought of its dissolution permitted to
enter the mind, it is now spoken Of, in some
quarters, in the most fippant and even con-
temPtuous terms, and its dissolution openly ad
vocated. This, if nothing else, should mode
rate our vanity and our too great confidence in
an unchecked career of growth and prosperity.
Still we have much to excite our just pride
md ctipo late A s tI,.t D.,
violence has Swallowed out to us. We have a
great destiny to fulfil, high and lofty purpose
to accomplish. 1t is our duty, and we trust it
is our destiny, to teach mankind that man is ca
pable Of selfgovernment, and that every just
law can be enforced, anEwill be obeyed, with
nett that the will of the people, legitimately
expressed, is as potent as the will of monarch,
backed by hundred thousand household troops;
and that all those antiquated governmental ma
chimes, in which KINGS, QUEENS, PRINCES,
LORDS, and Crowns form so important part,
may well be dispensed with if the people are
but educated to respect the laws, and to obey
them from choice instead Of compulsion.
The following extract from the Liverpool
Journal speaks of the United States in less
patronizing and more fattering terms than the
editor of the London Times has thought proper
to use:
America exists to rcproach and reform the
world. The rough and ready republicans expand
themselves universe: the Union has Just
been enlarged by territories large Europe, and
already the new State of California exports half
million of gold per month, and prepares to open
steam communication with China and Japan. The
Pacific becomes the highway of nations, and
terprise unhenrd of approach maturity, while the
mind of the ancient world ia absorbed on the mis-
cradle subjects of divine rights and sectarian
troversy. The majesty of civilization and COM
merce brightens regions rich and vast while Eu-
rope pauses to parey with idiot legitimates and
ancient nonentities. The Republic of America
bids fair for the mastery of the universe and will
achieve it.''
AS we have referred to the article of the
London Times. we give it place in another
column.