The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-26
MEIROPOLITAN MUSINGS.
Foreign Facts and Fancies.

"a .s.asia Foreign Facts and Fancies. aJ.
OsK YEAR ago the Midde-aged Man was tossing about
on the rctfu waves of the Atlantic in the midst of the
equinoctial gales days passed with weary tardness
until the lighthouse on the highlands of Nevesnk in
dicated our approach to home friends and every dear
association that is wrapped up In the words which at
such time first find utterance-'my own land T.
Looking back upon the emotions which created by
that first glimpse of America after long absence, can
understand and revere the affection which the dweers
n foreign land feel for that soil in which the bones of
their mothers are mouldering 1t is not surprising that
love for their country should lead them to dsparage
all Others or that should make them quer
uous even towards their best friends. But there
certain laws of courtesy as well as OF property that
ought not to be violated without proper reribution
The citizen is the State Is more emphatic and tangible
truth in America then anywhere else. No matter where
the accident of birth place may have caused to
draw his first BREATH when he becomes nauralized he
not only Is nducted into the honors of citizenship but he
his full share Of any bleishes in the character
or any weaknesses the behavior Of his adopted parent
In New York, however, there seems to be class Of
persons who having foreign origin, coming from var
Gus countries of whose grand history they justly
proud greedy seeking all the advantages Of our repub
o eagerly investing themselves with civic qualifications
can find little praise in this country they breath
In dcnOuncng TepuDiiC Sohntohtiy
charge our historic record with mcageness because its
single century is not crowded with the events of thou
sand wears reproach for which they daily
contributing abuse government ignore the exist
cnce of our sovereignty and in the commercial metropo
s of tho United States publish newspapers whose col
umns TEEN with funkeyish praises OF "our Queen,
Now have very great respect for Queen Victoria
fancy she is almost good woman as my mother and
have no objection to her being praised in the journals
of America nor do for moment take exception to
the publication of French, English Scotch, or Chinese
newspapers in New York or Washington but 1t does
not show proper respect for institutions when the
naturalized foreigner-a foreigner longersnees at
all our legislation government social and individual e
and while walking up to ballotbox to deposit his
vote, talks of ''our Queen. " - t,., l t., .......g,
1t Is proper to say that these journals have very few
sympathzeB in the United States the great majority Of
those who seek homo amongst are persons who,
while they love to cherish fond of their native
land do not find it necessary to deame their adopted
country and who, If they support newspaper which
processes to give them the fullest intelligence from their
former homes, despse the spirit which breathes only
scorn for everything appertainng to nationality.
The Albion and its satellites may unquestionably find
many imperfections and gross faults In q mixed
population of thirty millions but Is there nothing good
amongst us Part of the msappehension under which
these journals evidently labor grows out of their mis-
taking New York for America that great city, rich In
its wealth Of genius beneyolenco and enterprise as In
its wonderful commerce. Notwithstanding its magnif-
cence ia compelled to sort of sieve for tho
tinent the fine particles Of immigration pass through it
and are conveyed tho praes and amidst the forests
to add to our national strength but many of the
atoms are detained, and they, falling in heap, are
thrown aside to be again screened for city use when at
last some are found fit for nothing else but editors and
10 AlbpDs kindred
| journals. I,.@ aa.at atra& 81 .tHJ ##Hm@ asa8 .
d. Dickens Diplomacy. ~la'@"
Brought up in the pursuit of .penny- -a-ining," as
casual reporting Is termed in England Charles Dickens
has long ago learned the art Of woring the papers,
and now that he has tapped vein of wealth in Eng
land he is endeavorng to make use of his acquaintance
with the secrets of journalism to create public senti
ment in his favor this side of the Atlantic with the
intent of fleeing the Yankees for whom he has SO
peatcdy expressed his contempt out of good round
subsidy for the privilege of hearing him read his old pro-
ducons The of Thackey has turned the heads
Of half the literary men in England Dickens having
practised his eocuton in private theatrcas cannot
why he should not equal the achievement Of his literary
friend. But unfortunately, tho ''record, the poll
tcians say, is against him. He came to America, was
eased and ted If he had been tho great Mogul he
went home and abused everything he had seen heard,
or been told Of; in Martin Cluzzlewit he repeated the
assault with an extraDckens ferooty and coarseness
Now e hears across the Atlantic the pleasant chink Of
American dollars and through the Philadelphia Press,
and other plant Sheets he gaciousy proposes to let by
cones be by-gones Well, have no objection TO that
but If know the American people, Mr. Dickens VIII
save money by remaining where he is The United
States did not go into bankruptcy when he at
| tackled us, and we can still live without the illu
minaton OF his personal presence. He has abused
every courtesy that ought to prevail amongst gentlemen
and schoars and while his domestic misfcrtunes entit
him deepest commisscration. that sympathy viii
not take the form Of ovation, nor viii 1t borrow th