The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-20

heads, rs the steamer, under full head Of steam
swept by the mole.
As the Crescent City passed by Moro Castle, she
fired gun in honor of the flag that foated proudly
at her foremas head, and seemed to bid defiance
to the frowning castles of despotism.
The Characteristics OF the Americans.
[From the Dario de la Marina, Sept %
That our neighbors are testy and suspicious
lace, is tact well known to all that have been
brought into contact with them. We cannot, we
think, do better than to compare them to the oar-
cenNs, (we know of no English word equally ex-
pressive,) who, even in the midst of luxury, opu
lence, and honors, are keeny and painfully alive
to the slightest insinuation criticism against
them. Hence it is, that they always touched to
the quick by the satires and Of heir semi
countrymen, the English. who have the peculiar
talent of throwing them into the most burIesque
furies, and drawing out traits of character fully
equal in comicality to those which furnished rich
a fund to Basil Hall and Mrs Trollope, to Charles
Dickens ard Captain MarIyatt. Indeed, they are
culated to show their originality. Thus, for. in
stance, very short time since, Mr.. Livingston,
bearer Of dispatches relating to the fishery question:
took advantage Of the opportunity afforded by
banquet given on board the steamer to eulogize Mr.
Webster in such extravagant terms that they
not be read without laughter. Not only he pro-
claims him the greatest man in the universe-a
point which we Will not dispute, as we know of no
IL
sion-but he proclaims him to be human incarna-
tion Of divine intelligence! This figure of rhetoric
has gone the rounds Of the American press, and
though admitted into the columns of all the papers,
there is not single that has appeared 70 sus-
pect the sublime ridicule OF so emphatic pane
gyric
But to return to the point whence we started
If it be indisputable that the inhabitants Of the
United States be querrelous about mere trihes, it
will be admitted, think. with less Doubt that
they are not people whose serious faults can
be revealed to them without exciting displeasure
Even the serious counsel offered by NJ. de Toaue-
vile, with so much measure and moderation, was
received with mpatience notwithstanding the excess
sive encomiums that accompanied his stric ures-
encomiums so great, moreover, that we strongly
question whether their author now that he has had
more experience, would ratify them we're he called
upon to do so-and if his reflections, coming as they
did, from friend, met with unfavorabe reception,
we, who have never fatterei the pride and vanity
OF the fierce democracy, can surely not expect to
meet with better lot when make bold to speak
the truth, and depict it it actually is with all its
spots and shadows This happened when, as simple
historians, we set before our readers n few of the
charming little compliments which were so freely la
Wished by politicians of both sides, on the prominent
candidates for the first magistracy of the Union
TINS VIII doubtless happen anew, seeing that We
scenes thu have lately enlivened the federal Con.
gress, the details of which, though not quite so
fresh as they might be, nevertheless deserve being
carefully put on record The fault, doubtless is
Hiceceroo, who will bear the chief weight Of pub
lie indignation, for having ventured modestiy to
perform the part of translator True IL un doubted.
ly is that the in: dent partakes OF the drama
tic than the parliamentary. True il Is, too, beyond
question, that the language employed on the occa-
sion snot very usual, among persons havinga mode
rate share OF self respect even in the walks of pri
vate lfe-but since are told that the lie was
actually, and freely given. and gross insults inter-
changed, the only question is to ascertain if this be
really true or not.
Now, adopting the first supposition, viz that
il IS true, repeat that the fault neither ours nor
Hcecero0s and, indeed, we would neither of us
consent to incur the slightest degree of responsibility
In this matter, unless il should clearly be proved
that, converted by necromantic art into impapablc
and misleading Spirits we insinuated ourselves into
the bosom or the head of the Honorable Colonel
Polk, member Of the federal Congress for the State
Of Tennessee, ana suggested TO him the energetic,
but somewhat unusual flowers which characterize
his eloquence.
And If, as simple chronclers, we have added no.
thing 10, and taken nothing from the truth the real
historic truth, it will also be granted we hope that
we have not abused our Office of commentators The
reason OF our reserve in this respect may, perhaps
be asked, but it has but little to do with the matter
Mayhap we think that "beauty unadorned is
adorned the most" and that to comment on facts
spt akpg so eoqueHtly for themselves would be but
folly and waste of time or perhaps we may have
come other reason which leave our readers to di
vine One tning certain, however, is, that the ma
tional writers themselves leave us far in the rear
be doubted by any, We would refer all such to tn,
HERALD of August 70, and particularly 70 an article
headed Climax OF Congressional Blackguardism."
We would remind them, however, that the expires
tion belongs TO the HERALD, not to us
But if the authority Of the HERALD be not deeued
suihcienc, We have III reserve that Of the Courier
ana inquirer This paper, which some days back
had been loud in the expression Of its joy at the
election OF Mr., Benton to the House of Representa-
tives, which election, it is said: would be
means OF arresting the progress Of the degradation
which this body begins to evince. This paper,
we say, confesses, in of its editorial articles
(" that, among the representatives of the powerful
republic ard the leaders of its greatness and des.
tiny, there are those whose language declares shem
outlaws OF the social world as clearly and yisbva az
though the word blackguard were stamped on their
fore head" And even at the risk of exciting dis
pleasure by constant repetition we say, once more,
that We are mere copyists, as Ariosto maintained on
q similar occasion -
hettendolo Turpin anch 10 Tho messo
Men per maleyoenza per CARA
One single question, and we have done. Are such
legislators worthy representatives of the society of
neigbbors or is it the te ndency of their inst-
tutions which thus eevates the scum Of nm intei-
gent and civilized people to the highest rank II
so. then may we indeed say-poor institutions moor
democracy, how unworthy are you of your fame
The Production OF Sugar In Cuba.and Else.
where.
From the Diario, Sept. %
The last group of our competitors in the pro-
duction OF sugar, consists Of those countries
which 9, though apparently fitted by their eli
at comparatively late period, turned their at
tention to 1t. To this series Louisiana and few
other States forming part of the neighboring re-
puonc 70 certain extent belong; but as the sItua-
on the other hand, their proximity 60 us tends to
give us abundant data, whence it happens that this
particular branch Of the subject is not moro studied