Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-09-05
As nthera See Liz.

AS OIhers see Us.
We do not know but the United States
ought to declare war against Great Britain,
on account of the way the British newspa-
pers are treating us. The rascally editors,
undoubtedly in the pay of the Secession
ists," taking advantage of the fact that we
have one war on hour hands, have fallen to
telling the most unpleasant truths about us
and our affairs. The London Economist, in
general a very sedate, judicious and conser-
vative journal, whose editor writes the best
kind of newspaper English, and whose
general GOODNESS and steadiness of character
gives to his paper no little weight with the
"great middle class" of the realm, is almost
as bad as the rest. In an article in his issue
Of August 18th, under the title "WHAT MAY
BE IN AMERICA" he sits our condition in
way that indicates the total absense of that
sympathy which we had almost every reason
to expect at the hands CT the order he rep-
resents.
He says that in such case as ours, no re-
suit that is not impossible can be said to ba
improbable. "There was" SO he remarks,
"perhaps never conjuncture of such mag
nitnde in which it was so hopeless to predict
the direction which events are likely to
take"
ut is not so much that we do not know
the Americans as that the Americans do not
know themselves"
Was there ever such impudence7 Not
know ourselvesl Then, we suppose, we
must apply to these selEsufficient gentlemen
on the other side the ocean and get intro
duced.
From first to last they have been sinpu-
larly at fault in their coDjectures and pro-
phesies; we, on this side of the water have,
hitherto, at least, been much nearer the
truth in the expectations which we enter
tanned"
The reason for this in the opinion of the
Economist-the circulation of which ought
to be prohibited at once by the Government
is that we are a aOholly untried peopLe-have
never been tested by any great difficulty,
any great danger, any great calamity-have
never been called upon for any sustained
effort, any serious sacrifice, any prolonged
endurance.
"They"-meaning we-'haYe never faced
really formidable foe."
Didn't we Stumble" the British Lion
seVereal times2
'..No one who reads the details of the Revo-
luton by which they won their independence.
while full of admiration for their pluck and
energy, fails to be utterly amazed at their
success. The indescribable imbecility of their
enemies was yet more wonderful than their
own vigor. Against any enemy, and any
English ministry that have existed since the
days of Lord North, tney would not have
had the shadow of chance-as every one
e1cept themselves is now perfectly aware"
Except themselves! The italics are ours.
If this is not 'flat burglary" by what name
of infamy shall it be called? After thus pro-
flaming our Revolution, the Economist pro-
ceeds to dissect our other contests:
"The great feat of Andrew Jackson-for
which they made him hero and Presi-
dent--was in defending walled city, made
almost impregnable by cotton bags and rifle
men against an inadequately-pr invad-
in force lodged in an unhealthy swamp. All
their other contests have been against naked
Indians and degenerate, undisciplined Mexi-
cans"
And this is the way we do our business:
"They have gained their ends hitherto,
not by fighting but by bullying; they have
bullied every nation in turn; and their sue
cess in this sort of warfare has not only
enormously enhanced their own conceptions
of their military proves, but has entirely
blinded them as to the flimsey and improved
foundation upon which these conceptions
rest. No one doubts that regular army of
Americans, well disciplined and well off.
cered, would fight as bravely and as skillfully
as any in the world but how American vol
unteers will fight, hastily got together, ut.
terly unaccustomed to obedience, without
experience, and without confidence either in
their officers or each other, no one can ven.
ture to predict; and the panic at Manassas
Gap, and the subsequent behavior of the de-
feated troops warrant the very worst and
most disrespectful misgiVings on this head"
Having disposed of our war prowess, the
Economist turns with renewed ferocity upon
our STATESMEN and INSTITUTIONS. Z
"They have never been tried before, and
no one can tell how they will stand the
strain. The leaders in Washingtons time
were gentlemen and men of education. The
institutions in Washington's time were free,
not democratic. Since that time the country
has gone through course of unexampled
and uninterrupted prosperity-demoralizin
assuredly though not enervatinR. Laws and
manners have changed to degree that few
persons have fully realized, The Constitution
has become an almost unmitigated oehIocroey.
The masses are everywhere omnipoteut; and
the masses, in most parts are only half edu-
Gated and in many parts are as ignorant as
those Of Europe and far more rufianly. The
men of thoughtful minds and lofty purpose
the men of noble sentiments and stainless
honor, have retired from public life; aud, ma
turally enough, as the work of politics be-
come dlrter and rougher, have left II to
dirtier and rougher men The consequence