Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1873-05-24
Nationality and Free State.

The distinguished theologian, d,
F. Strauss, speaks the following
powerful words in reference to our
country
"Among the evils from which the people
of the United States su!fer,Sone OF The
deepcst.rooted il the lack of natioaal
character. Our European nations are
also mixed peoples Germany, France,
England, have Celtic, GerDanic, Romsnic
aud Slavic elements, superimposed in man
ifcld strata, and oonmingled through and
through. But finally they have combined
in the formation of ibe main body of the
nations (restricted within certain limits),
developed new prodaot and neutralized
the nationalities of the various peoples.
| In the United States, on the contrary, the
cauldron hollis and bubbles in consequence
Of the unceasing pouring in of new ingre-
dents; the mixing forever remains MIX
tu.e, aud does not become compounded,
active whole. The mutual interest in the
common state cannot supply new ma
tionality it has, as a foiegone conclusion,
not the strength to raise the individual
| from the marrow range of selfishness ana
avarice in money-gs,ung to any ideal ex-
erton. Where there IS 30 national feel.
ng, uelhcr is there ny soul."
Although tho above expressions are
somew hat highly colorcd, yet the sagacious
tbnkerA who knows nothing Of America
from his own obsergation--isi the main
correct.
With these words L. Bueehuer introduces
his fourth letter fron the Land of Free
dom TO the "Leipsic Gardenlaube, aud
! from his oSn observation here as a naiur-
alist, confirms the view Of the "renowped
,heologiau' with the eyes OF speculative
enthusiasm from aiar, as in the main
correct" Empirieism and speculation
thus join hands in their judgment Of
America, and the verdict is that We afe a
sickly people, heterogeneous, selfish,
fermentirg mixture, the slaves of avarice,
| Incapable of ideal efforts, because--simply
because we are deficient in national char
acler. 1t is also asserted that We have
no sonl, inasmuch as we lack national
feelings and emotions. The interest of
tie mutual state, which means also inter-
est in the republic of free States, accord
ing to the above authority, can not es.ab-
ltsh a national interest, which 1t is to be
inferred must alone possess The strength
to lift the individual out of the slough Of
selfshness aud avariee to the plane of
ideal sxertion.
This is in ruth barsh Judgment,
which, with o single stroke OF the pen,
condemns our national existence and as
signs us to hum iliating position far be-
low the virtuous, idaalistic, nationalistio,
whole-snuled peoples of past aud present
times In this mournful situation there
remains TO US. in fact, nothing, except the
forlorn hope Of better future in the midst
of the influx Of European peoples, which
has continued for centuries land is the
same today, restricted within certain
limitsn); unless, indeed, 1t could be
stopped altogether, as tho only way out OF
the chaos TO clear, national expression,
according to tie thinking of Strauss.
Until then we shall certainly be Obliged,
according to Mr.. Buechner, TO content
ourselves with this: That the slrish build
our railroads." and that they, together
with "negrces and, 10 some extent, also
Germans, constitute the classes of our SER
wants, attendants, walters, cooks, house
maids, &c.5-our acoachmen" TO WELD the
vhip. and our sculiions TO s'burnish our
l american Dytle Aot
Americans are united BY their personal
pride and feeling Of freedom"
In this iniolerable medioerity of our
prsssnl characterless nation, it must he
cousoling TO us TO learn from L. BeuehHers s
letters that '-lhe Irish element encounters
the smallest difficulties, because it is the
quickest and easiest naturalized, snd also
that the Germans living among Americans
land we add, where else could they live in
America7) easily aud rapidly become
Americans, The children Of 6ermsn faDi-
lies pvfsrring &c rpeak fusiish 10 Ger
n<n. sad that IN tie great Hiil'iirit q
n8riistes hetFsea Arsricaus en1 Ger
rn1s, ihe p tele household quickly adsrt
fas sels i-er gsaratifr.
nr 'ais T. srpetrs ihsi the .canidrcr
csadnnslii hoil-s and Jubbirs Aare.
lend isr @iai-ing tiei forever rtHei1s 3
ri-''.rr, vrcsens no srct ricai deteer
siinsS;l. i. A1iri.hsisuiius sesseriasi-
irf .rrirE IN, t'ir s.ty lorrti'tr: -