Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-10-11
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
New YoRK, SEPrEMBER 25, 1851.


muncation, made passing allusion to The separate
action of certain German Democrats, and express
ed the intention of recurring to the subject in flu
ture letter and am the more inclined to draw
public attention to this new element in the potca
history of the times, because, SO far as am in
formed, the Germans are the, only portion of ouI
naturalized fellow-citizens who have assumed such
position. We have lately seen the like attempt
of few Germans in St. Louis to form an organ
zation similar in its separatism, and partly similar
in its aims to that recently formed in this city, The
programme of political doctrines to which wish
10 alluds is put forth by what is styled the Ger
man Free-Soil Democracy of New York." and its
object is TO state certain principles to be dstinc-
lively advocated by Germans, and to be especially
supported by Germans. In the estimation of these
Teutonic reformers, our much-boasted AngloSax-
onism has become barren and effete they propose.
therefore, to pour into its feess trunk fresh in
fusion of native vgor from the parent stem of Ger
manism. Why certain of our German citizens
entertain such disparaging estimate Of this same
Anglo-Saxondom, it is impossible to tell for they
cannot ignore the fact that its cuabula GENTS lie
between the banks of their own Rhine and Elbe,
and that our ultimate ancestry is, in part at least,
common one. Yet, despite this admitted kinship,
it is undeniable that the opinions and modes of
thought which prevail among each people are wide
ly variant, and the matter for surprise is that the
weaker and smaller element of Germanism in our
country should expect the larger body Of Ameri-
canism to gravitate towards it. When the noun
tain would not come to Mahomet, Mahomet went
to the mountain. In order, therefore, that your
readers may be duly informed of the measures pro-
posed by these reformers, who deem it "conforma-
BILE with their rights and duties to banish from
political and social life every thing that prove
Il
. welfare of mankind in general, and to the prog
! perity Of this republic in particular" present
the following summary Of what are called the prn-
ciples and reforms of genuine Free.Soil De-
mocracy !" taz
All public lands be hereafter given grauitousy actual
cuivators in limited quantities, the maximum Of which is
to be appointed by Legislative enactment and with the pro-
viso that the State remains sole proprietor Of the lands thus
given;
Abolition Of slavery in the District of Cosmbis, and all
other places under Congressional jurisdiction;
Opposition TO new slave States and slave Territories;
Support of all efforts made by Southern em,ncpaonss,
such as Cassius M. Clay and others;
Repeal Of Fugitive Slave Law;
Advocacy Of the frees trade possible
Direct election by the people Of all officers appointed
by the Government;
Universal suffrage, without distinction Of color;
Immediate submission to popular vote Of all important
laws;
Baoines to be held whenever demanded for the recall of
Representatives;
Abolition of death penalty, and pententia reform to be
introduced in State prisons;
Limitation Of the time of labor eghs and at the fur
thest ten hours;
All charters granted by Legislature to be repeaable.
Such, then, are some of the measures by which
it is proposed to conduce to the i" freedom, pro-
gress, and welfare Of mankind in general, and to
the prosperity of this republic in PARTICULAR And
yet we are told by leading German organ in Ibis
city that these doctrines do not go far enough
woman should be installed in the rights now with
held from her; justice should be administered in
all cases at public expense; and, before all
\. things, the Presdentship, as now constituting an
: independent branch of the Government, must be
abolished, as an institution the most destructive OF
republicanism that can possibly be conceived
1t is in perfect keeping with his principles that the
Editor Of this same German organ advocates not
the reform of our penitentiary systems, but their
entire abolition-the idea of punishment being pro-
nounced theological, barbarian, and unreasona-
bic fgment."
Itis fact perhaps not generally known that at
least two Of the German papers published in this
city advocate unreservedly the principles Of :" So
cialism' in society, and of :" Humanism" in reli-
gion. One Of these is entitled g The Lucifer,''
and might be expected, the light it sheds islurid
in its briiancy and sulphureous in its odor. For
tunately, however, the unknowndial and Gothic
text in which is printed prevent from exercs-
ing any sensible influence on American readers.
Among the items of news brought by the last
steamer, find an ordinance issued by the Prefeet
Of Police in Paris, NJ. earlier, the object of which
il to procure more rigid surveillance over certain
foreigners, charged with abusing the hospitality
given them in France by, planning manouvres
against the safety Of the State This ordinance re-
calls to my recollection statement llade by the
principal editor of the Journal des Debats, to the
effect that the late revolution in France di-
rectly due to the speculatons of German thinkers
and schemers the first revolution TO the doc
trines promulgated by the Encyclopedias. 1t was
also further stated that the leaders in Parisan clubs
and the most active advocates. in Paris of the
"Repubique Democratique ct Sociale" are at pre-
sent resident Germans. From this il would seem
that the sons Of the Faderland, foed in the attempt
TO attain selEgovernment at home, have taken it in
hand to help other people to this desirable blessing
Unless greatly misconceiye, the German mind is
must almost incurable idiosYncrasy. that
early day profound practical statesmen. What
ever question your German investigates and sub
jects to critical development whether it be some
truth system of truth in sciences religion or poll
tics, his mind almost invariably gravitates towards
the ideal pole of that truth. In all his Intellectual
processes the conclusions Of an nexorabe logic are
pushed to the EXTREMIST bounds of the possible and
transcendenta. Hence, whatever line of inquiry is
pursued, the same ul:raism is evinced II ne is