Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-07-09

themselves desert of human se6sness force to
believe that human nature is not entirely depraved
Portsmouth Va Transcript Of June 80.
NATIONAL PRIDE is of itself valuable ingre-
dent in national character.
It has been argued by those who pride themselves
upon the antiquity Of their family and the purity
of their descent, that the sentiment is of more
avail than merely to foster feelings of haughtiness
vanity. They claim that the consciousness of
what is called high birth and unstained lineage
involves duties as well as privileges that the rep
resentative Of an honorable family feels more and
more, generations pass down, that his response
bility is greater to his kind, his country and him
self that his part is to aim high, act well, and, if
tempted to aught derogatory to his race, to feel
'tThe name of every gallant ancestor
g A bond upon his soul against disgrace"
Against such effects Of family pride we have
nothing to allege The principle may be erroneous,
but may rejoice when it begets courtesy, honesty
sefrespect, respect for the rights of others when,
in word, it produces good citizens-men exem-
plary in their social, political, and moral relations
If there be any thing in the principle at all, we
believe that it may be applied to Nations as well
to individuals families; and in fact it is not
difficult to trace its influence on several great nations
of Europe in whose breasts recollection of former
grandeur and glories still keeps alive the fire of
PATRIOTISM hereafter to be communicated from spirit
to spirit till the nation is warmed, the people dis
enthraled, and the country free.
Look, for example, at France. No one doubts
that every reign of conquest and glory, from
Charlemagne to Napoleon, has assisted in fixing in
H. o,,.l &c Az
country is, to the exclusion of others, Ia graade
nation And this idea once implanted, and the
consciousness once received of long continued
emincnce in reputation and Importance toll will be
met, danger encountered, suffering endured, and to
a great degree individuality annhated, to forward
the cherished purpose of advancing the common
country to her former attitude. Look at England.
Who does not know that the lofty port and defiant
look of her sons are the offspring of thousand
victories on sea and land and that the consequent
vainglorious confidence in England's prceminence
and invincibility would 90 far in a struggle with
any other nation to maintain such believed supe-
riority, and to bring to the contest many glowing
hope to eclipse Cressy Poicers, or Waterloo, to
add another gem more brilliant than any now adorn-
ing it to her proud coronal I? Is not Spain very
incarnation of pride in ancient achievements, dom
nation, and power And while we may lament
the decadence of her ancient power among the ma
tions, we cannot refuse our tribute of admiration
for many gallant men who have honored her later
history, and who under happier auspices might have
won the wreaths of heroes and of patriots
1t is naturally thus with every nation The brave
and good deeds of generation become the precious
heritage of the next, and grow in value as time
wears on, and flower after flower is added to the
chaplet of national honor.
Happy are we to be able to look back upon our
whole past and point with ustifable satisfaction to
our national antecedents. In every attribute that
should distinguish gallant, enterprising, enlight-
ened country we may compare with any other. We
have won, by our courage and unyielding patriot
ism, the great right of selfgovernment; to live
beneath and by the law, and yet while our pursuits
are honest, unfettered by the law. We have won,
too garden from the wilderness and enjoy its fruits
and benefits. As Nation, our country stands IN
blemishcd and respected by all and our opinion
has come to be an element in the formation Of the
policy and plans of Europe. SO far, We occupy an
enviable emnence in the estimation of all that part
of the world whose esteem we covet, and whose
praise IS worth transmitting to our posterity as
an heirloom which can never be alienated from
them save by SOME act of succeeding possessors.
Every year has witnessed our advancement in
happiness, power, and consideration Eve~y year
has added reasons for just pride in our hational
principles, in noble Constitution and the us,ay
tranquil and rigid administration of our Jaws
Every year that elapses cements, as it passes our
National Union, and cndears our happy compact to
each member &C our Confederation.
The NATIONAL ANNIvERsARY From ev,yy
quarter with which we have telegraphic communi-
cation our dispatches report tho Fourth to have
been passed in patriotic and happy way No
unusual Incidents, requiring to be stated in DETAIL
are reported, nor any accidents of nature NATE
Ill, a. Ioeso., Tho ylaaonr, that sbould be