The Shasta courier., 1867-04-13
Flunkeyism Rebuked.

1t is pleasing to be assured, says the Car
son Appeal, that amid the general snobbery
which got an expression upon the arrival at
Cowes of Young Bennett and his Yacht,
there was one higher toned newspaper in
England which took occasion to treat the
subject as its merits deserved. While the
tory papers and the Court journals strove to
outdo one another in forid expressions of
admiration at the marvellous feat of a New
York dandy who, for wonder, had the
equal to four or more ordinary fishing smacks
such as brave " The Banks" at all times Of
the year, and for the doing of which acts of
heroism the Marbleheaders who enact them
are content with quintals of fish in place of
dinners at Windsor Castle; while James
Gordon Benefits son was being entertained
by the titled gamblers and wealthy Poti.
phars of London and Paris who were polite
enough to refrain from referring to those
unpleasant horse whippings which brought
his father into prominence as New York
journalist and while Bennett Junior was
himself being feted by royalty itself, it struck
thoughtful people with genuine pleasure to
read such expressions as the following from
the London Morning Star That paper of
the 18th of February, has an article upon
the "great yacht race" which, after con.
ceding to Young Bennett all the credit for
pluck and enterprise that is due him, says:
We are not aware that any author artist,
statesman, philosopher or divine who ever
paid Europe a visit from Mr.. Benefits
country received the distinction paid to Mr..
Bennett. Running over in memory the
names of the eminent Americans whom we
recollect as visitors to England during the
present generation, or since Washington
Irving was guest at Abbotsford and New
stead Abbey, we cannot remember that royal
princesses much troubled themselves to show
exceptional courtesy to the stranger NAY,
we do not know that many of our great men
are frequently oppressed with notice from
high quarters. Did Speke of the Nile re-
ceive any royal attention, except indeed. n
gold medal from the King of Italy? 1t is
an old jest and quite true one, that the
only mark Of distinction ever conferred by
the English government upon Charles Dick
ems was when they instituted a prosecution
against him for a breach of the City News
paper Stamp act. Certainly public, admin
istrative and royal favors are like the smiles
of beauty-they must be sued for and won.
Mr.. Bennett has apparently conscious
ness of merit which such of his countrymen
as Hawthorne and Prescott, for example.
never possessed. He had the spirit to make
the Duke Of Edinburg his debtor by the
mn aant Of no
the Duke, like courteous gentlemen and
frank sailor, wrote kindly reply declining
the gift, but returning many warm express
sions of thankfalness for the liberal offer
1t never would have occurred to an Emer-
son, Claiming or Motley to do anything
of this kind, AID therein, doubtless, lies all
the difference. Now we do not care to
grumble at any honor paid here to Mr..
Bennett, and it is for his countrymen, not
for US, to say whether they accept him as
an international representative of America
but we do think that, after all, man NAV
render greater service to his country and the
world than is accomplished by his leading
yacht race across the Atlantic The feat
was a bold risk Of life the event was new
sensation, and some of the London news
papers naturally burst forth into positive
rhapsodies Of enthusiastic praise and lyric
thanksgiving. All this was very generous
and gratifying and so on !; but we confess we
like to hear the fervor of hero worship take
a somewhat higher tone. If we must set up
an earthly idol it might be well to find out
one of which genius or goodness, or both.
are the special attributes. The Atlantic
has been crossed by yachts. What then p
Does any very great result follow? If it
does, we have not yet heard it explained,
and therefore we may be excused if we re-
strain our enthusiasm until some one en-
hghtens us as to the universally beneficial
results to arise in our relations with America
from the honors paid to Mr.. Bennett? We
cannot help being little skeptical Ameri-
cans are not race of children but they
like ourselves, are to be won to friendship by
manly, honorable and friendly dealings on
the part of nation to nation, not by indis
criminate eulogy, shed at random upon this
or that individual. If they do still cherish
as we hope and believe they do not, any
grudge towards us for our somewhat un-
brotherly conduct during their struggle, the
sense finjury is hardly to be obliterated by
few compliments paid to Mr.. Bennett, Jr.
Americans who object to being represented
abroad by sprig of New York shoddy will
feel thankful to the London Star for this Just
and sensible criticism.
NJ .F r =,