The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-14
For he Southern Press.
New YORK, 9th June, Il

MEssRs EDIToRs There is strong "Na-
tional odor" of the ridiculous in many of the in
cidents of the late sentimental journey" Of the
President and his cabinet through the Empire
State, which was ostensibly undertaken in con-
sequence Of an invitation from the directors of
railroad corporation, on the completion Of
their undertaking, accompanied by the polite
offer of free passage. This certainly was an
event which had no pretensions to the character
Of a great national festival or anniversary, and
called for no particular demonstrations Of execu-
tive countenance or patronage; mr. does its his
tory emile it to any special consideration except
MS showing in what manner the people of the
State may be made tributary to corporate bodies
of public spirited spectators.
It will be recolected that in the outset of this
undertaking, the legislature ofthe State of New
York pledg ed the credit Of the State in its be-
half to the amount of So 900, O0O on the express
condition that the expenditure OF this money
should proceed pari paper, with those of the
funds of the corporation, and that no portion of
| it should be forthcoming, until sufficient proof
had been given that this condition had been
complied with. In process Of time it was, how
ever, discovered that by system OF adroit
financiering, which none but adopts can explain
or comprehend, the whole of the 100000
pledged by the State, had been drawn for and
expended, without the slightest regard to the
condition on which it had been granted. A
stupendous fraud had been perpetrated, and this
great national undertaking was suspended for
several years, until the rust of time had in some
measure obscured the briliancy of this great
financial exploit. The undertaking was then
resumed under new direction, whose manage
ment, so far as know, has been perfectly UNI
exceptionabe, and in order il would seem to en-
courage similar tricks, the legislature of the
State agreed to relinquish all claim to the 3000,-
900, of which it had been defrauded, on condition
that tie road should be completed in certain
specified time. Thus stimulated by an enormous
brbe, the road was completed within the pre-
scribed period. The reader will Judge from this
brief detail, whether 1t was not somewhat ride
ulous. to say the least, for the President and his
cabinet, to pay such signal honor to an under
taking, conducted and finished under such cir
cumstances.
But there IL n still broader air of farce in
some of the incidents of this pilgrimage, to the
shrine of abolition or free-soilism. The concert
of locomotive whistles which greeted their ar
rival at Binghamrton-I think-was truly orr
pinal, and would have delighted the admirers of
Jenny Lind, at least, equal to The bird song or
Auc:... su,aAt home" Fortunately, this cele-
brated village had DO walls, or like those Of Je-
recho, they would assuredv have been blown
down without the aid of miracle. The presence
Of Mr. Seward is another original feature in the
farce, and shows how far hypocrisy and dissim-
ulaton may be clrried by the enthusiastic
friends of union. But these are comparatively
nothing compared with the laughable perplexity
all must feel in deciding which was the real
Punch ofthe puppet show-great 1, or little l.
the President or the Secretary. The latter
talked, IL he did not drink the most, and thus far
seems to have taken the lead. He certainly beat
the President on his own ground at Buffalo he
threw him into the shade at Rochester; and dis
tanced him out of sight in what one Of the
Washington scribes calls, "Mr. Webster's Alba
uy speech, which is so grand, and impressive
so happy in every respect, that it abashes those
who would either on sectional or party grounds
undertake to reprehend, or misrepresent his acts
or sentiments"
am sorry to differ with this and other high
authorities in the court Of criticism, on the sub
iect of the late exhibitions of the Secretary,
since the dswning of fruition Of that hope
which animates so many great and little men
among us, and which realizes the definition Of
the poet, that slope springs eternal in the hu-
man breast = for when once awakened, 1t never
sleeps again. Since this vision opened to the
contemplation Of the Secretary, his head seems
20 be n little turned, either bv the decisions of
hope, or the excitement of good dinners and good
wine. His gravity, which has been hitherto
within one degree Of absolute frigidity has
civen place to a playfulness Of humor and fancy
that reminds one Of the gambols ofan elephant
He has become intensely jocular, and il we may
credit the newspaper reports Of his speeches,
actually achieved the miracle ofmaking some Of
the Knickerbockers laugh outright at Albany.
In short, he seems TO be undergoing the process
of the metempsichosis, and will undoubtedly
turn out wit in proportion as his view Of the
Ultima Thule Of MI genius patriots brightens.
Il may be that am misled by an impression
have sometimes entertained, that this gentle
man ha, been always greatly overrated by bis
admirers, especially down East He may be
great in speech, but he is certainly not great in
action: and II IL much easier TO say than to do
great things. Demostheues, though he inspired
others with valor, ran away at the battle Of Ch@-
rones, and the Secretary, have no doubt,
could stimulate "the ancient and honorable
company Of artillery" at Boston to unheard Of
deeds OF valor--especially after the anniversary
dinner. But unfortunately, he has npver ex-
erted his talents 10 this line, and his greatest
fcats of cloquence have been exhibited In dis
cournginr 81 emotions Of high-souled patuot-
ism, all feelings Of national honor and dignity.
Once, and once only, remember he SPOKE man
fully about drubbmg his particular friends the
British one fourth Of July"-5ut this was
after dinner, and IL was not long before ahe
took step backwards"
Be this as it may, must aver in oil fraDkness,
that have seldom met with such tissues of ego
tistical hummery, accompanied by such clumsy,
affected attempts ut coloqual familiarity and
frivolity, eked out by abortve attempts to tickle
opposite parties by deceiving both, as are dis.
PLAYED in the late tours of the Secretary, more
especially the last through this State, admit
that his position was somewhat critical on that
occasion. Two great men were travelling to-
rether, and great men should never hunt in
couples, or ride the same horse, for one Of them
must Of necessity, ride behind. But the Se-re.
t1ry managed pretty well, by identifying the
President and HIMSELF and making them one and
indivisible. The President and ], quoth he,