The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-19

TO TIE EDITOR THR HERALD.
II Ia ore Of the faults of education having its
origin in csrly aud remote preudices, to attach to
every enc 81 European origin who i not OF Spain
France. Italy or Britain the sonbrquet of I" Dntch'
So much is this the case that it has grlwn to be
reproach and, the reore when we are inclined TO al
Jude to or speak OF that people in terms OF kindness
or respect we apply the term German. As an H.
sta CO Of the truth Of what am writing, President
Pierce in bis reply to the welcome OF Mayor Wester.
welt, at Castle Garden. is represented as 5aying-Q
quote from tie HEnALps report of his speech, and
presume it correctly" On the opposite side Of Bowl
ing Green, if am not mistaken, stands one OF the
comparatively lew edihces erected prior to ITO.
built of German brick" Now, it is well known his
torical fact that the Island of Manhattan was not
only settled by the Dutch, but that long after its
surrender TO the English it was unknown to the
German nation, so tar as regards the personal pre-
sence OF any considerable number claiming birth
right in that portion ofths continent Of Europe
This msy seem to be small matter at which to
cav; but one Of the descendants OF the original
settlers, l am not willing that the credit which
should attach itself TO my ancestors should be &C.
corded to any other patton people, which is the
case when as in the extract alluded to, the word
German s substitute for that Of Dutch or Hollander
1t is not my purpose to detract from the merto-
rious German, nor tn claim for another what justly
belongs to the latter to his nation but the preu
dices which have been engendered by our contact
with the Anglo-Saxon should not be allowed to lead
to errors OF so grave nature as that Of completely
Holland, occupying but mere patch upon the
earth's surface'-and that wrung from the ocean
has succeeded, through the untirng industry, indo
mtabe perseverance, and, more than all, the stern
and unyiediDg integrity Of her citizens in making
herself known and respected in every portion of the
habtablo globe, and because she occupies the
smallest conceivable portion of earth that can
be dignifed by the title of kingdom, it does not
therefore follow that her successful neghb0r,
and those claiming descent therefrom, should seek
to blot her from existence by confoundng her with
Germany, a nation as widely differing from the
Dutch as the Anglo-Saxon from the Malay. And
doubt not that were the redoubtable Peter Stuyve-
SAINT now living, and should any one have the hardi
hood to commit in his presence so gross error as
that Of confounding his nation with that of Germany,
his wrath would be OF that character which knows
no bounds
It may not be known to most of your readers, but
such is nevertheless the fact that Thomas Jefferson
was indebted for the entire framework of hs immor.
tai Declaration to o similar document emanating
from Holland. protesting against the wrongs and
outrages committed by Spain.
And that same Thomas Jefferson after he had passed
middle age, acquired knowledge of the Dutch Ian
guage in order that he might thereby obtain more
correct and thorough acquaintance with the history
OF that remarkable people.
1t is from fear that Holland, or her inhabitants,
or the memory Of the Knickerbockers, will suffer
from this mistake, that attempt the correction but
because / am DESTROYS that justice should be done,
and especially so to nation and people that contr
buted 80 largely to the success Of our arms and to
the establishing Of independence during Revo
lutiOnary struggles.