Page images
PDF
EPUB

documents received. The same are also due to the Hon. John Briggs for like favors, among which is included the reports on "Commerce and Navigation." D. K. Seaman, Esq., will also consider us his debtor in courtesy, for valuable documents received at his hands from Albany.

CORRESPONDENCE.

PHILADELPHIA, April, 1852.

DEAR BROTHER:-Your correspondent again. resumes his pen to greet you with fraternal sympathy, and a word of encouragement. The dissection of Bishop Hughes's "Catholic Chapter," contained in the last number of your Republic, or, more correctly, my number of the Republic, has been read and re-read, borrowed and re-borrowed, and has received universal commendation; and to those who have availed themselves of my copy we can only repeat, "Subscribe for this magazine, and you will regularly receive a bountiful supply of Americanism, and of the kind calculated to keep the patriotic blood coursing through your veins, should it be inclined to grow sluggish."

The only very interesting item of political news at present engrossing attention, (aside from Presidential manœuvres,) is the organization of the American Democracy. Numerous primary meetings have been held, and already ward organizations are commencing. The published resolutions openly acknowledge the foreign element to be inimical to the interests of the country, and one which has been too frequently productive of fraud at the republican's only safeguard, an untrammelled ballot-box. We trust that the movers in this matter will work with earnestness in so righteous a cause; it needs but a conviction that a proper platform is placed before the people for their support, to secure in the "Old Keystone State" for American Democracy such an overwhelming majority as will make the panderers for the politico-religious "Mother Church," and "all Rome, howl." Day by day we gather encouragement from the tone of public feeling as we hear it expressed on all sides. The American people, we trust, are gradually waking up, and there may yet be hope of a sufficient timely interference to prevent the designs of his Holiness, Pius IX., his eminence, John, and minor emissaries, as ac

cessories.
may speedily cast from their eyes the veil so
artfully placed there, and religious intolerance
be for ever silenced. The Infallible Church
appears to us, at this present writing-if we
can rely alike on Bishop Hughes in his
"Catholic Chapter," and Bancroft and other
historians in their records of past times-
to be

We trust the American people

"A creature of amphibious nature,
On land a beast, a fish in water;
That always preys on grace or sin,
A sheep without, a wolf within."

The United Sons of America are still pushing the column. On the evening of the 8th instant, Pennsylvania Camp No. 22 was instituted by Erastus Poulson, Esq., Commissioner Plenipotentiary, under very favorable auspices.

Anthony R. Gemeny, Esq., the Treasurer of the General Camp of the State, died on the 29th ult. He was an estimable citizen, whose private virtues had endeared him to a large circle of friends, and whose patriotism prompted him to join the U. S. A. in its infancy, where, in the various capacities in which he has acted, he merited and received the unqualified approbation of the brotherhood, by whom his memory will be sacredly cherished. "Peace to his ashes!"

Having already, I fear, intruded on your forbearance, believe me yours, in the cause of

[blocks in formation]

We might answer Inquirer Yankee fashion, that is, by asking another question, viz., Can a man have a good dinner without possessing the cook who prepared it? But, to be more explicit, and to the point, we answer, accordto our opinion, in the affirmative. A man can have and enjoy civil and religious liberty without possessing the right of suffrage; a nation cannot. But, per contra, a man or a nation may possess the right of suffrage without having civil liberty, as witness France at the present moment. It is not the individual possession of the suffrage right that confers on him civil liberty, (we omit the word "religious," because in this sense the suffrage has

nothing to do with it. A man may possess religious liberty without possessing political or civil liberty, or even the right of suffrage, and vice versa ;) but it is the character of public institutions emanating from the people, through the suffrage, whether that suffrage be universal, as in France, where civil liberty is unknown, or limited, as in the United States.

Civil liberty, therefore, is not the suffrage itself, or the right to it, but the fruit of it; and Inquirer has but to look around him to discover millions of persons now in the United States who are enjoying the one without possessing the other. It matters not who makes the institutions of civil liberty; all who live under them have it and enjoy it, whether they have a hand in creating it or not. In France, we have at the present day a living witness of the fact that the right of suffrage may be converted into an instrument of despotism for the enslavement of its possessor; and it becomes us, as a people, so to guard that right in this land as to keep it always on the side of both civil and religious liberty.

AMUSEMENTS.

Blanchard, with his histrionic canines, are again engaged. "The Blacksmith of Antwerp," a new drama of great interest, has just been produced with entire new scenery and appurtenances, and the enterprising manager is reaping the just reward of his industry.

BARNUM'S MUSEUM.-The grand scenic entertainment of Cherry and Fair Star is still attracting afternoon audiences at Barnum's beautiful amphitheatre and the evenings are occupied with sterling comedy. That excellent play, the “Honey

Moon," is now enjoying a run, while the audience are enjoying the piece, and the management enjoys the profit of a large patronage.

Among the curiosities of the Museum proper, not the least, at the present time, is Master Harry Page, a little fellow fifteen years of age, and seven feet high in his stockings.

THE LYCEUM.-We perceive that Brougham's Lyceum has passed into the hands of Messrs. Corbyn and Buckland, as lessees, and we have reason to believe that in their hands a new season of prosperity awaits that beautiful house. Miss Julia Bennett, one of the most accomplished actresses of the day in her line, is now playing an engagement at the Lyceum.

BUSINESS NOTICES.

PARLOR AND CHAMBER FURNITURE.-Mr. Gardner, at No. 69 Gold street, near Beekman, bas prepared himself for the Spring Campaign, and our housekeepers will find at his store an excellent assortment of Choice Furniture for the Par

and Chamber, including that adjunct of summer luxury, the Hair Mattress.

BROADWAY THEATRE.-Neither the public nor the management of the Broadway Theatre seem disposed to afford an opportunity for the nervous critic, who feeds only on novelty; and a surfeit of good things is as irksome to him as to the epicure.lor More than sixty consecutive nights has that eminent American tragedian, Mr. Edwin Forrest, appeared before the audiences of the Broadway Theatre, and on each night has the house been filled to repletion by the numerous admirers of that gentleman. No actor, since the celebrated Garrick, either on the English or American stages, has possessed the magic qualities to sustain so complete a triumph as our countryman, Mr. Forrest, can now boast of having achieved; and as the treasurer's box is very naturally regarded as the test of managerial tact, it is not surprising that Mr. Marshall and his efficient and gentlemanly financier, Mr. Warren, should aim to keep the great actor before the people. The termination of Mr. Forrest's engagement is not yet announced.

NATIONAL THEATRE. This temple of Momus has just undergone a process of paint, gold, and embellishment, and is now reopened with all the increased attractions of a clean face and a talented company. Mr. W. G. Jones is again starring it at this house in the melo-dramatic line; and Mr. E.

READY-MADE CLOTHING.- The old-fashioned, slow-coach system of getting up a suit of clothes having been virtually abolished by the go-ahead, time-saving spirit of the age, many of our best artists in Costume have turned their attention to the establishment of magazines for Ready-made Clothing. Among these we would now call attention to that of Mr. J. Souder, No. 76 Fulton, corner of Gold street, where every article in his line may be found at a moment's notice.

A GOOD TONIC.-"Take a little wine for thy stomach's sake," is a scriptural maxim that may have led many a good fellow to take a little more than was good for the stomach. With due deference to the old maxim, however, Dr. Thomas Blake recommends for the same purpose a little of his "Aromatic Bitters," of which there is no fear of taking too much. We are but one of many thousands who can testify to its excellent tonic qualities.

OUR BOOK TABLE.

[graphic]

YRA, AND

OTHER

POEMS. BY ALICE CAREY. NewYork: J. S. Red

and in a vein of caustic satire, mingled with sound common sense, cuts it to the quick. It is one of the most amusing books of the day, besides which, field, Clinton Hall, every chapter carries a good, wholesome moral. ROMANISM AT HOME. By Kirwan. Harper &

Nassau street.

THE spirit of poetry is plainly not the spirit of this age; mammon takes precedence of the muses; and hence the little of true poetry that comes to the public eye in our day, is found in scintillations or scraps, like bits of gold in a bushel of California quartz. Since Byron, there has not been a fresh volume of poetry published in the English language that, as a whole, comes up to the standard. There are fine flashes, brilliant coruscations; indeed we may point to a few short poems of the right material; but for an entire engrossment of the writings of one person that will stand the test of criticism, it cannot be found. We do not mean, by this, to say there is no poetic genius at the present day, but the spirit of the age is its antipodal, and the fire is smothered in the sodden ashes of a cheap and corrupt literature.

In the poems before us, from the pen of our country woman, Alice Carey, there is much of sweetness and fine feeling, yet we confess that her "Clovernook," a prose production, pleased us better than "Lyra." Among the most pleasing of this collection, we may mention the "Christmas Story," "Fire Pictures," and " Ulalie." From the latter we quote a single stanza:

"The crimson of the maple trees

Is lighted by the moon's soft glow;
Oh, nights like this, and things like these,
Bring back a dream of long ago.

For, on an eve as sweet as this,
Upon this bank, beneath this tree,
My lips, in love's impassioned kiss,
Met those of Ulalie."

[blocks in formation]

Brothers.

This volume comprises a series of letters addressed to the Hon. Roger B. Taney, Chief Justice of the United States, the Chief Justice being a member of the Romish Church. The writer of these letters is evidently master of the subject that he handles, having for his object the exhibition of the tyranny of the Church and its efforts to subvert the institutions of civil and religious liberty. We received this volume at the hour of going to press, and hence have not had time to give it that careful perusal which its character seems to demand. Since Catholicism has thrown down the gauntlet in defiance of Protestantism, as associated with government in this country, every thing of this nature is read with deep interest, and we shall give the volume a more deliberate perusal hereafter. We make a single extract, illustrating the tyranny of the priesthood over the people in Catholic Ireland:

"In company with Dr. Edgar, and of Dr. Andrews, of Queen's College, Belfast, and of Mr. Allen, of Ballina, names not unknown in Ireland, or Britain, or America, I visited the Scotch Mission School in Ballenglen. It was deeply interesting to see there upward of a hundred children, neatly dressed, under pious and competent teachers, taught to learn and to earn,' and, with few excep tions, collected from the surrounding huts of the Papal peasantry. Do you see that girl on the upper seat, about twenty-one or two years of age?' said the noble Scotch lady at the head of the female department to me. I looked, and replied in the affirmative. That girl,' she continued, has been here but a few weeks. She came here not knowing a letter, and scarcely any thing else. She is learning rapidly, and can now earn two or three shillings a week with her needle, and can do considerable for the support of her family. When going home from school yesterday, the priest met her at the road, and sought to horsewhip her for coming here; but she outran him. She told her grievance to her mother, who sided with the priest, and expressed her sorrow that he did not catch her; and yet she returned here this morning, but without sleeping a wink or eating a mouthful since she left here yesterday afternoon.' Amazed at the statement, I asked if there was no redress against such priestly barbarity. What can we

[ocr errors]

do?' was the reply. We may indict them, but then nobody will peril their life by testifying against them; nor can you get a jury, on which there is a single Catholic, to convict them. A priest, not long ago, was indicted for flogging a woman terribly, and yet, when called to witness against him, she testified that "his reverence did not hurt her at all." And this is but an illustration of what is now of daily occurrence in almost every portion of Ireland."

[blocks in formation]

of the editor, that the journal will prove Protestant without being sectarian, and thus independently advocate "the grand principles of

CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY," we hail its advent.

Sectarian papers may not defend boldly civil and religious liberty, through fear of losing the foreign portion of their adherents; our politicopartisan papers do not and dare not, through fear of losing party votes; and thus we declare the Protestant to have entered an unoccupied field, (barring our presence ;) and cheerfully do we advise American Republicans to patronize it, so long as the editor may prove true to his colors.

THE AMERICAN PATRIOT, quite a large weekly sheet, published at Boston, and devoted to the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN interests of our country, is received weekly at our office. The Patriot is neatly printed, energetic in tone, firm, and yet sprightly. We commend it to the favorable attention of an American public.

THE ORDER OF UNITED AMERICANS.

[ocr errors]

THE ORDER OF UNITED AMERICANS was established to awaken in the minds of the children of the soil sentiments of true liberty, such as were promulgated in the day when our country took upon itself a new condition, and stood before the world a bright example in the practice of civil and religious liberty; a practice exercised with too much generous consideration toward the yet unenlightened portion of those seeking our shores, whether monarchists or imbeciles alike, and which has led at first to the occasional, but now to the more frequent declaration of the most con

VOL. III.

ceited and designing assumptions, not only on the part of many resident aliens in our midst, but also to a great extent on the part of those who have become our adopted fellow-citizens.

The honest, manly fear of offending his fellow-inan, has led the American too frequently to remain silent before the presuming voice of the foreigner; a courtesy which, instead of commanding the respect of an incoming people, has but led to a greater boldness, and one which would finally claim the right, in presumption, to enforce a continued silence upon the native-born citizen. Indeed, so accustomed has the latter become to treating the foreigner with courteous deference, that it would be difficult for him to set aside such practice, even though his reward be but impertinent arrogance, accompanied with at. tempts to deprive him of his natural and inherited rights. Nor is it desirable that the American should abate his politeness, but rather that he should maintain his dignity, and, with inanly rebuke, teach the presumptive voice of the stranger its place in the land of freedom's children.

It is for such an end that the Order of United Americans has been established. It

[graphic]

19

is for the purpose of bringing together the sons of the soil, that, face to face, they may speak over the sentiments of their sires, and thus quicken and develop their inborn patriotism. It is that they may become acquainted with their fellow American, even to the discovery of those ennobling impulses which govern them all alike; so that, in their incoming and outgoing throughout the land, they may meet in the apparent stranger an American brother, and become strengthened by an interchange of manly words, giving and receiving the language of patriotism, until all that are born on the soil may fervently and openly declare the sentiments of their nation, and exclaim, with honest pride, "Thank God, I too am an American!" It is thus for the purpose of creating a moral tone, an American voice, throughout the land, that the Order of United Americans has been established; yes, established upon the full conviction that it is only through such means that our country may hope to escape from that thraldom which is planned for it by the reckless demagogue, designing monarchist, or cunning jesuitical Papist; only through such means, that this republic may remain a bright example to the world, as in its early days, or avoid the fearful issues of a civil strife. The means chosen for the accomplishment of the desired end are simple, honest, and, through faith, will prove effective. It is but that of the voice of upright Americans, declaring their national sentiments in such tones of manly decision as may lead the designing foes of liberty to stand aback, teaching them that the term American expresses a people possessed of a distinctive character; and, if they be kind or tolerant, bearing much without anger, yet that they are not a people to be finally wheedled or successfully trampled upon. That such truth may be timely appreciated, and our national character respected by all incomers, is the desire of, and the main object to be accomplished through, the workings of the Order.

THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.-We have the pleasure to present to the public, this month, a view of the contemplated monument to be built by the Order of United Americans in memory of the virtues and patriotism of him who was "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

This magnificent structure was designed by our fellow-townsman, Minard Lafever, Esq., whose genius as an architect is portrayed in several of our most elegant structures, both public and private, in this and other cities of the Union, and among which we may mention that of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Brooklyn, a building unsurpassed in the various qualities of church architecture by any thing of the kind heretofore erected in this country.

We are pleased in being able to state that the plan proposed for raising the requisite fund for the erection of this monument has met with universal approval, on account of its simplicity and feasibility, and that a general inquiry is now made for the purchase of lots in the cemetery, by those who desire to partake of the honor of a share in its construction. Subscriptions and money have been sent in from great distances, in various parts of the country, the subscribers expressing the utmost eagerness to own a patch of land in the little enclosure of forty acres, and saying that they have no particular choice of location, the sole object being to contribute, by the purchase of one or more burial-lots, to the grand enterprise, and of owning a small piece of land under its shadow. One gentleman writes from Washington, saying that the people of the Capital are so pleased with the plan, that they think of getting up a similar association in that city, believing they can finish a monument there by private means, and in this manner, before the pile now in the course of construction by the government can be completed. Every thing indicates a successful issue to our enterprise; and we prophesy that in six months after the work is commenced, there will not be a lot for sale in the cemetery. We give below a

DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT.

The style of the design is selected from Egyptian order consists of details sufficiently massive to enarchitecture, for the reason that no other style or dure the ravages of time; and also, that no other style or order of architecture presents in its general forms a sufficient monumental cast to strike the beholder at first sight with monumental impressions, and call forth emotions of wonder and awe. Egyptian architecture possesses all these highly important characteristics; and it is quite clear that the design presented has in its general architectural features all the best elements of a monumental subject, excelling all other structures of the kind,

« PreviousContinue »