Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-23
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY MoRNiNG, 1uNE %, 1855
NICIlNNMko.

subjects which have been chosen ny authors
for ESSAYS and other writings, ntchAd6eS
should never have suggested itself. The Gus
tom of giving nieknames has been 50 unlver-
sal, and in many instances attended with
such important consequences, that ali hlstO-
rical examination OF the subject would be
full of interest. An account of party names
alone could be made very acceptable. and the
work completed by mention Of the names
of those men, whose popularity or unpoPu-
larity have secured them spch appelat'ons
The word nickname, from the French nom de
nique, meant originally name OF contempt
or derision, aud such is the definition al
ways given; but the common use OF the term
as we'll as the want Of any other, JUSTIFY It's
also being applied to that class OF Names
which are indicative of love ADD popularity
A few examples Of party aud personal
nicknames will be given here, 10 order to IL
lustrste the remarks above made. The name
yrotestqnts was first referred to those who
protested against resolve Of the diet at Spires,
held April l9, 1889, whereby any further
innovations in ecclesiastical affairs" were
forbidden. This name, derived from cir
cumstance of no great Importance aud given
to a party of small pretensions, now embra-
ces under it the most powerful nations of the
world. Other examples Of party names are
Dissepters, Covenanters, RouDd-heads, Cava-
liers, Beggars, Wing, Tory, &C., al exami-
nation into any one Of which would surpuss
the limits intended for the present article.
When we consider the nicknames of indi-
yidusls, we are Immediately struck with the
fact that they are never given to any save the
most popular or despised A nickname
seems to bring the person much nearer and
to give an emphasis to the expression OF love
or hate. We draw him to us either to EN-
brace him or smito him in the face. The
soldier, particularly. delights in being able
to make use of such familiar epthets when
speakine of his commander, for he feels
sort of brotherly affection towards the man
under whom he has fought and 5led. Napo-
leon was always spoken of as "Le Petit Cor
poral," name bravely earned on the bridge
of Lodi, and of which he as we'll as his men
was Justly proud. There is q story told of
him, that one night while stroiiing around
the camp be was challenged by the sentinel.
lie did not know the watcbword, and the SEN
tinel would not let him pass, saying-"ifyOu
were the Little Corporal himself, you should
not do it." Napoleon threw off his cloak and
said, 81 am the Little Corporal" The SOL
der was promoted.
Marlborough-tb invincble Marlborough
whose glory it was to have bafiied Gov
eminent like that OF France in the hands Of
Louis XIV, also had q nickname. 1t was
Corporal john" With him, however, it
was much more owing to his invariable sue
cess than to any personal popularity. He
had none of that direct influence over his SOL
diers which Napoleon possessed 10 such a
i. f..l IL TOO oil tnn lie
tant, too avaricious. Frederick the Great,
of all commanders of modern times the most
regardless OF the lives of those who served
troops. He shared their dangers, and gene
rally led them to glorious victories, and they
had confidence in him. His nickname was
"Alter Frits." (Old Fred.) Butcher, the
gruff old soldier, was called Marshal VOr.
warts" Marshal Forward.) Gcnsolvo de
Cordova was the Great Captain" General
Grey, afterwards Earl Grey, father of the
Prime Minister was uickDamed mo Flint"
because he always commanded the use OF the
bayonet. In our own history we have sew
eral whose popularity or successes have given
them well.earned appellations. The swamp
Fox" the "Game Cock, Light Horse liar
~" Mad Anthony" and "Old Hickory"
hearts. Washington was too reserved and die
tant to become personally popular. lie had
no nickname among his soldiers, thought has
lately been discovered that in Virginia he went
under the name Of "Old Hoss." Wellington
had none, from perhaps, q similar reason
As examples of nicknames given on &C
count of unpopularity or in ridcule. the fol-
lowing suggest themselves: George III. was
called "The Captain" George, ILL. Farmer
George" The Earl of Mar was "Bobbng
Jobp," on account Of bis frequent changes
between the Stuart and Hanover interests
The Duke of Cumberland, who quelled the
rebellion Of l745, was. from bis cruelty, call
ed "The Butcher" From these examples,
collected together in the course of few
weeks reading, it would seem that with Ia
Dor the subject might be made one of inter
est. 1t would require labor, but would amp
" repay the trouble it would cost.
1t is fact pregnant with Importance that
the name of party is often one Of the strong
est links of the chain by which that party is
kept together. 1t serves as stimulant,
driving on with an irresistible impulse to-
wards performance Of those principles
which it represents. Take for example the
Gueur or Beggoys of the Dutch Republic
Guided by the strong hand Of the noble, self
sacrificing William of Orange, and bound to-
gether by the ties of fellow-feelipg in the
most commendable Of struggles. the Beggdr'
we're always ready at the call of that name to
rally in defence Of their religion and their
liberty. 10 our own country, who can doubt
that there are thousands who vote at every
Presidential election, and who are totally
aud confessedly inorant of the political creed
of the candidate they support. Some of
them may have swallowed down the words
of leader of their party, which to belch
forth again on another occasion, but the on
ly thing which interests them, which is to
them more important than any political opin-
ions, and which often is the only inducement
that brings them to the ballot-box is a r1.rty
cry-a party name!
Sometimes, when the cause O. the contest
has ceased, the belligerent r.arties will cling
to their names with ate.lacity truly astousb-
ing, until other car.ses of difference arise,
and then that sane name will be inscribed
on the baDr.,er of the advocates of an entirely
diff. emit principle. This is strkiugly ilius
trated by the change which took place in the
Wing and Tory parties iu the course OF the
eighteenth century, each of them oontend'ng
at the beginning of the nineteenth century
for a cause in almost every respect the same