Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-06
New York Correspondence.

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| NEW York, Dec 5, 1854.
Editor Of the american Organ:
The hard times still continue, and the stringency
in the money market is increasing, making It al
most impossible to procure money to meet pay
ments daily falling due. OF course such being the
fact, failures must continue to take place. The
general inquiry is-What are we coming to? To
answer this question would puzzle a Philadelphia
lawyer And in connexion with these gloomy
prospects, the dcfalcations accumulate, hardly a
day passing without some new breach Of trust"
being brought to light. For a day or two past re-
ports have freely circulated Of large embezzlements
in some of our leading banks in Wall street; but,
SO far, the officers have kept everything in the
dark, and the truth is not fully established yet, al
though they are generally believed.
The report published in morning paper to-day
in relation to the Chatham Bank, has brought out
the directors, who deny in positive terms the truth
of the report. The substance Of this report was
that the bank had lost large sums but there having
been change in the officers Of the bank lately it
was not ascertaned whether these losses were sus
tanned under the old or new administration. That
this bank has met with severe loss believe to be
fact notwithstanding the contradiction published
in the evening papers to-day Rest assured we
are approaching crisis, the result Of which will
be fully as disastrous as the ever-toberemembered
one of 1887, if not more So Trade ia universally
stagnant, the book business being the only branch
Of trade now paying expenses. As the holidays
approach, Of course this business win improve,
people will have money to purchase presents for
their friends.
A novel just published by II. Long Brother,
entitled The Pride of Life, by Lady Scott is one
of the best novels lately published. Amy one fond
Of this kind Of reading, will be 10th to put the book
down until finished, the story increases in in
terest to the end. / would mention in this con-
nexion that the public are indebted to this house
for some of the msst interesting books issued from
the American press.
From the Republican Court, just published by
d. Appleton & Co., take the following. The
Able Robin, French priest, gives the following
sketch Of Washington, Published in Paris in 1882;
al have seen General Washington, that most
singular mantle soul and support Of one Of the
greatest revolutions that has ever happened, can
happen. ] fixed my eyes upon him with that keen
attention which the sight Of great man always in.
spires. We naturally entertain secret hope of
discovering In the features of such ilustrious per-
sons some traces Of that excellent genius which dis
tinguishes them from and eleyates them above
their fellow mortals. Perhaps the exterior Of no
man was better calculated to crafty these expec-
tations than that Of General Washington. He is Of
a tai and noble stature, well proportioned, fine,
cheerful, open countenance, n simple and modest
carriage, and his whole mien has something In II
that interests the French, the Americans and even
enemies themselves In his favor Placed In a mil
itary view, at the head Of nation where each ind
vidua has q share In the supreme Legislative autho-
rity, and where coercive laws yet In great de-
gree destitute Of vigor, where the climate and
manners can add but little to their energy, where
the spirit Of party, private interest slowness and
national incidence, slacken suspend and overthrow
the best concerted measures although so situated
he has found out method Of keeping his troops
| In the most absolute subordination making them
rivals in praising him fearing him even when he
Is silent, and retaining their full confidence in him
after defeats and disgrace.
Ellis reputation has at length, arisen to most
brilliant height; and he may now grasp at the most
unbounded power, without provoking envy or ex-
citing suspicion He has ever shown himself supe-
nor to fortune and in the most trying adversely
has discovered resources till then unknown and,
as II his abilities only increased and dilated at the
prospect Of difficulty, he is never better supplied
than when he seems destitute Of everything, nor
have his arms ever been fatal 10 his enemies,
at the very instant when they thought they had
crushed him forever II is his to excite spirit Of
heroism and enthusiasm in a people who are, by
nature very little susceptible Of IL; TO gain
the respect and homage of those whose interest IL
Is TO refuse H. and 10 execute his plans and projects
by means unknown even TO those who are his IN
struments; he Is intrepid in dangers yet never
seeks them but when the good OF his country de-
mands Il, preferring rather TO temporize and act
upon the defensive because he knows such mode
OF conduct best suits the genius and circumstances
of the nation and that an he and they have TO expect
depends upon time fortitude, and patience; heisfu-
gal and sober in regard TO himself but profuse in the
public cause Ike Peter the Great, he has by de-
feats conducted his army to victory; and like Ia
bus, but with fewer resources and more difficulty,
he has conquered without fighting, and saved bis
country Such are the ideas that arise in the mind
at the sight Of this great man, in examining the
events IN which he has had share, or In listening
to those whose duty obliges them TO be near his
person. and consequently best display his true char
acter. In all these extensive States they consider
him in the light Of bcnefcent God, dispensing
peace and happiness around him. Old men, women,
and children press about him when he accidentally
passes along, and think themselves happy, once IN
their lives. 10 have seen hm--tbey follow him
through the towns with torches, and celebrate his
arrival by public Examinations. The Americans,
that cool and sedate people, who In the midst of
their most trying difficulties have attended only TO
the directions and impulses Of plain method and
common reason, are reused, animated, and infamed
at the very mention Of his name and the first songs
that sentiment or gratitude has Dictated have been
TO celebrate General Washington
The following is the result Of the bank statement