Minnesota weekly times., 1854-11-14

RECKLBssN1os OF AMERICAN CHARACTER. |
The Albany Evening Transcript is responsible
for the following, which is so much in unison with
our own views, that We commend the article to
the particular attention of our readers:
J Wesdo not profess much knowledge OF phre-
nology, but venture to say, that if head which
should be the type of American chronological
development could be obtained, the bumps indi-
eating want of care, recklessness and rreverence,
would be more largely developed than in the spec
linen head of any other nation. There are many
reasons why this is so, but why the alarming
increase in size of these bumps should not be
checked. The enormous labor we have had to
perform, as a nation, since fathers first began
to colonze the country, has led us to acquire a
rapid method of transacting business, has induced
a want of preciseness and completeness in our
habits, which has tended to impart the appear
ance Of not to give the reality, of carelessness or
recklessness, to our characters. Thus far we are,
as a nation, exonerated from the charge which
foreigners bring against us, of that vice which we
ourselves must see has existence, although, in
a measure, innocenty, as far as we concerned
individually. But our progress is carrying us
ahead rapidly, and, in fact, has already borne
beyond the furthcrest point which any other ma
tion has reached, we have time to correct the err
rors circumstances have developed in our charac-
ter, and to restrict the proclivity which may prove
fatal to the perpetuty Of our institutions.
This national reckessness has of late been ex-
hibited in many different forms-some painful and
distressing, others ludicrous; but all warning us
that it is time the check should be applied to
desire to outstrip all others in the march of inn
provcment. 1t has been exhibited in the terrible
accid nts that have occurred within our territory.
or to our citizens elscwhere-in the tendency
American patriotism has shown to appropriate to
the realm Of freedom, despite the law of nations
and our national contracts, soil enslaved by des-
potism-in the disregard of individual rights, of
personal liberty, of the legal barriers erected for
the safety and security of life and property.
The result of this national recklessness has ta-
ken so many forms-railway, steamboat, and
nautical accidents of all kinds, Lynch law, pro-
cedures, fillibustering and reckless speculation
that we cannot pause to illustrate its pcrnicious
and fatal tendency by example. We have strong
belief in the good sense Of Americans generally,
and think that where the nationa..will has been so
steadily and uncompromisingly directed towards
the removal of the natural obstacles in the way
of cultivation and colonization-towards the ele-
vation of the mental and moral instincts Of the
people-towards the opening of the great chan
nes that lead to wealth and power-there should
be a conservative, restraining influence, brought
to bear by that same will, by that same sense and
judgment, upon the exultation which follows the
greatest victory mind has yet achieved
If, as people, we will stop to think before
cmbarkng rashly in speculation and adventure,
as heretofore we have been too apt to do-if we
will learn to regard human life as of greater inn
portance than the speed of our locomotives and
steamships, and national honor at stake in the
performance of our part of treaties and compacts
entered into by our government, then we will have
accomplished the great result that all thinking
men should aim at-the correction of our great
fault, national reckessness.
FoUND.-On our table, Harper's, Putnam's and
Godey's Magazines, also Yankee Notions and
Thompson's Bank Note Reporter. Harper con-
tinues to open with "Napolcon Bonaparte.''-
''The Generations Of Fashions,'' arc quite anu
sing, and show to what extent people are led away
from the consideration Of comfort and convenience
by following Fashion instead of Sense. s'Whom
Shall we Mlrry,'' may be read by the young men
with some interest, but Whom Shall Find to
Marry, would be still more interesting about these
days. The Quakcr's Wife," and g Young Sur
geon'' interesting stories. Putnam has an
interesting article on s'The First DISCOVERIES OF
America" in which the claims of the "No:th.
men'' to the honor of being the first discovc:ers
are pretty thoroughly discussed.
The article on ss The Causes and Consequence
of the Russian War; will be read with interest
and profit Cooley, has been making another cf-
fort to please tho ladies and Judging from the fine
steel engraving, the complete instructions given
about the latest styles of bonnets, capcs, fans
children's dresses, fancy work patterns, &C., &C..
we should say that he stands an excellent chancc
of being successful.
Those who have not the above magazines may
find ttcm ut IIamilton's doors above the Times
Building. ....,f
GONG! GoING!! GoNE.!!--Thc world is moving
to-day, just as it did when the philosopher ex-
1 IL A 4