Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-11-03
OUR NATIONAL SIN.

datiun save that of impudence, and the lndispu-
table evidence they afford that the blush eff hon
est shame never tinged their checks. We seem
to derive a real pleasure from being humbugged.
We refuse to learn anything in the school of ex-
perience, although she occasionally forces les
son on us, for which pay very dear Deceived |
TO day, we equally liable to be imposed upon |
tomorrow. While dismissing Kossuth a
worthless impostor, who had grossly imposed
on our patriotism and literaity, we gave q !
youthful singing girl not only a cheerful. but an
enthusiastic, welcome, though she WAS some |
thing more than mortal-and did not perceive
that we had been humbugged until she had
amassed an immense fortune at our expense, and
returned to Europe, to dwell in retirement !or
the remainder of her days.
The majority of our readers doubtless recollcct
the advent of kossuth in this country. lie was
conveyed to shores in National vessel, and
received as being little less than dcmgod, in
stead Of den.agogue. He WIS ,yorywler ere re-
ceived as second Washington the dian of
the nineteenth century. He was everywhere en-
tcrtained with all the honors which enthuaasm OF
ingenuity could invent, and wherever he went
was honored, courted and followed by the "great
ones'' of the land. Money flowed in on him from
every quarter, and his Hungarian bonds" we're
soon above par. The excitement continued for
rome time, but at length the fever began to
abate, reason once more resumed his throne, and
the people perceived that they had been wor-
shpping q reckless adventurer, whose schemes
for the emancipation of his country wild
and impossible as the most improbable story of
thr Arah NiuhtS ba X
ment, to use a common but expressive term, soon
''f.zled out" Many of his most ardent admi-
and disciples during his soourn in this coun-
try have almost forgotten him, and could not
tell, if asked, where he now dwells, or whether
not he is still living. A succession Of new
humbugs have since occupied their attention. and
consequently the Governor Of Hungary is con
signed to oblivion.
We need not allude to the Jenny Lind excite
rnent. After 1t had passed away, all felt
heartily ashamed of it, and firmly resolved never
to allow ourselves to be made fool, of again
Vain and foolish resolution We have since been
worshipping some half Of singing girls and
actresses from abroad, with the zeal and enthus-
nsm which show we have not yet got rid of our
National foible.
few years ago 1t was given out that a scien-
tihc man, a native of Sweden, had invented ca
Ionic engine-the greatest invention of the age.
Steam engines were to be forthwith ignored, and
the calorc age Immediately rated Bioera-
phes and portraits of the inventor appeared in
all the papers. The People were excited. from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, and mere expert
ment treated well aScertaned and fixed fact.
1t was soon ascertained, however, that the whole
thing was magnificent failure. Since then we
have heard nothing about caloric engines ca
loric ships, and probably never viii.
The Atlantic Cable excitement is too recent tc
have been forgotten by any of our readers In
fact it has scarcely yet subsided. As soon as il
ascertained that the cable had been laid, We
forthwith became wild with enthusiasm. Salute
fired, cities Illuminated, speeches delivere
messages Of congratulat;on transmitted, and Cy
rus w. Fields declared the great man of the age
While becf-eating John Bull, our joint partne
in the enterprise, looked on in solemn silence, as
though nothing remarkable had happened. W.
were having regular national jubilee, and goo,
time Of il generally. After all, it is now ascer
tanned that the cabla won't work and that Eu
rope and America are not yet joined together
much like just recovering from fit O
into1ication-who is conscious of having don
and said number of foolish things, but can no
seeollect exactly what they were. Our grut
cousin John Bull has certainly good reason t.
laugh at us under the circumstances
Only the other day, couple of fighting black
guards. named Morrssey and Heenan. had
Prize fight" for a wager. The disgraceful scen
witnessed by large and excited crowd -
Large sums staked on the result, and tn
successful buffer is the Lion of the day. Thu
tight is now the topic of conversation wherever TIVE
or three American citizens are gathered together
and the newspaper containing all the particular
i'anxiously sought after and carefully peruscd
Two blackguards who are infinitely worse thar
professional hangmen. and little better thai
murderers, are spoken of as though they reall,
occupied place among the great and remarka
ble men OF the age. This certainly exhibits
worse phase in our national character than til
Kossuth, Jenny Lind, or Atlantic Gable excite
ment.
This natural love Of excitement and transpa
rent humbugs. is a real national calamity 1t
constantly rendering us the plant tools of selfis
and designing importers, whose only credential
are ignorance, impudsnss aDd love of money
1t leads US to bes:ow unmerited honors on tn
brslnless but bold pEetender. while modest meri
and worth &re overlooked and allowed to pine i
Obscurity. The truth is. we want rnsre cosn,o
and isss pnconinaon sense. If we do Dot thin
like rational men. it is impossible foe US 10 a,
Ils them. II oommea seHss had centrcnei ou