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A WORD TO THE FRIENDS OF LIBERTY.—

THE PRESS. Among the influences affecting editors, assistants, or reporters. This current the political spirituel of the American people, | runs deeper than is generally supposed, and we prejudicial to our interests as a nation, that of intend that the subject shall meet with a fair the public press in the hands of foreigners is share of attention. doubtless by far the greatest. This is a subject of vast importance, and it is our intention to digest it thoroughly in future numbers, with such facts as will probably astonish many a reader, and at the same time account for the anti-American sentiments that they have sometimes seen uttered by what is called an American newspaper. A shrewd author and philosopher once said: "Let me write the ballads of a nation, and I will form the character of its people;" or

something to that effect. The same theory applies to the public press of the present day, especially in this press-deluged country, where every American can read, and where there are papers for every body who desires to read. We might with great propriety echo the expression of the philosopher, and say, "Let me control the press of America, and I will direct its destiny as a nation."

That the press in this country is the great lever of public opinion, nobody pretends to deny. It sways the minds of the masses as the tempest sways the trees of the forest, and upon every topic of the least public interest, from a revolutionary movement down to the advent of a new player, the press is the monitor of public thought and feeling. However base in character, devoid of principle, or gross in sentiment, an editor may be, he is sure to have an influence upon the public mind; and if he possess but shrewdness enough to gloss over his grossness, and exhibit a pretence of propriety, that influence strikes often deeper, and at graver results than the reader himself would at all times be willing to confess. Such being the deference paid to the public press by the people of this country, how important is it that that great moral and political engine should be in the hands of those who will govern its tone to a just and appropriate harmony. How important that its ends and sentiment should accord with the spirit of republicanism-American republicanism-and that nothing calculated to weaken the ties of home attachment, or to lessen the respect due to the laws, the councils, and the Statesmen of our country, should be admitted to its columns.

But it is not alone in a political view that this influence is felt, detrimental to our interests as a people. It encourages foreign productions in art, literature, manufactures; everything-and recognizes no genius of American origin. When the latter appears, it is met either with sneers and ridicule, or strangled with equivocal and faint praise, by the minions of prejudice who swarm about the press of the land, either as

con

Bishop Hughes, in his recent lecture on the "Decline of Protestantism," boldly avows that it is the intention of the Papal power, to " vert," that is, obtain control of "the inhabitants of the United States, the people of the cities and the people of the country, the officers of the Navy and the Marines, Commanders of the Army, the Legislatures, the Senate, the Cabinet, the President, and all!" and modestly adds, "even

England with her proud Parliament, and imperial Sovereign." And he presents strong grounds to prove that it is making fair progress in the accomplishment of its object, provided all he says is true. We have not space, nor is it neces

sary at present, to comment on the above. It is sufficient for the friends of civil and religious liberty to know that this is now the avowed obout, and the Republic of the United States may ject of Romanism. Let the project be carried shake hands with miserable Mexico and Vene

zuela.

Let us entreat

CONGRESS is again in sesssion. each individual member of both the Senate and the House, whether he comes from the east, the west, the north or the south, to bear in mind that he is there as the law-giver of a Nation and not of a section. He should know that his dignity and position occupy a sphere high above the impotent howlings of fanaticism, or the puerile threats of passion, and that when he listens to them he must by some inadvertence have descended from his high estate. We regard the Congress of the United States as the loftiest legislative body in the world, composed as it is, of freemen, chosen by the voices of freemen; and nothing is more painful to the people of the nation, than to see its halls converted into theatres of sectional discord. We trust that these things have had their day, and that all future treasonable and incendiary attempts to disturb the harmony of the country through its Congress, will be treated by both Houses, with the laconic contempt which they deserve.

OUR FIRST NUMBER.-The preliminary matter essential to the first number of a Magazine, like the Republic, necessarily imparts to it in a great degree, the character of a preface, or Introduction, to those that are to follow In it we can do little more than define our position and exhibit the chart that is to guide us; and to those who approve of these, we must look for that support that is to bear us safely through in our good intentions.

THE DAGUERREOTYPE.-We frequently, during our strolls about town, drop into the various Daguerrean establishments for which our city is somewhat celebrated, for the purpose of noting the successive steps of improvement that are made in the art, and of feasting our eyes upon the several gems that are from day to day produced. There are as many different styles of picture produced by the Daguerreotype, as there are by the pencil, and the several operators become as distinctly celebrated or otherwise, by the style and tone of their pictures as ever did they who devoted their genius to the pencil and pigments. Having devoted some three years of our life to the practice of the Daguerrean process, in the early period of its history, and having taken with our own hand some thousands of pictures, we claim the right of knowing something about it, and intend from time to time to note such improvements and beauties as occur in the various galleries.

The first that we shall notice is that of Mr. Gurney, No. 189 Broadway.--Mr. Gurney has long taken rank among the best Daguerreans in the country, and yet his style of pictures is entirely peculiar to his own process. Nobody produces pictures of the same tone and character, yet others may produce pictures quite as good as his-the style is a mere matter of taste, and what some would prefer, others would object to. In fidelity of line however, and consequent resemblance, Mr. Gurney is unsurpassed. The peculiar effect produced by his process, and in which he prides himself, is the fullness of light obtained without solarization-a full development of all the natural lights as they fall upon the object, without regard to color or material of dress, and a consequent softness of tone which pervades the whole picture. Thus, although the lights are all full, and even brilliant, there is no harshness of shadow. This style has many admirers, and Mr. Gurney's cameras are consequently always employed with sitters. His gallery occupies two rooms besides the principal operating room, and the whole are fitted up with taste and even ele

gance.

OCEAN STEAM NAVIGATION.-Brother Jonathan is now fairly in the field of Ocean Steam Navigation, against all the world in general, and the "Mistress of the Seas" in particular. A fair race is going on in the contest for superiority, and Jonathan has already got a leetle ahead. His advantage, at present however, lies in the model, and he must now pull up in the machinery department. The time is close at hand when our ocean steamers will take the lead of everything on the waters. The cost of good machinery in this country is not greater than in England, and even if it were we can

afford to pay for it. The world will soon know no other than a Steam Marine, whether mercantile or naval, and if our machinists do their duty, the United States must and will be the greatest maritime power. The following concessions are made to us in the London Daily News:

"Cunard's Company commenced with vessels of 1,100 tons and engines of 350 horse power. They have, step by step, reached 2,300 tons and 900 horse power. But the size and power are the only things changed; the model has remained the same. The Asia of 2,300 tons is an enlarged edition of the Britacarrying a sea before her enough to swamp a revenia of 1,100 tons, and goes bowling down the Mersey,

nue cruiser.

less power than the Asia and Africa, but of exquisite

The American steamers are of larger tonage and

model. They are "ten years ahead" of the Asia and Africa, as far as the hulls are concerned, and as far with scarce a ripple at the bow, dividing the water behind in the engines. They slip down the Mersey like a Gravesend steamer. In accommodation, ventilation and general arrangement, the American vessels are far superior to anything that has been before seen in this country."

POPULAR EDUCATION.-The State of NewYork, at its recent election, sustained the law establishing Free Schools throughout the State, by a majority of over thirty thousand votes.— This majority, under the circumstances, is a proud one, and doubtless settles the question

for all time to come. The enemies of education had left no stone unturned in their endeavors to choke down the system. Every inaccuracy in the framework of the new law; every imperfection in its fiscal features, and the mode of supporting it, were placarded forth,—and every ingenuity that could be brought to bear upon the tax-payer, was employed, until thousands, who otherwise favored popular education, were made the enemies of the law, and induced to cast their votes against it. But the intelligence and patriotism of the State were too great for these efforts to overcome. The great principle has sustained the law, and we hope the Legislature will, at its next session, wipe away the obnoxious features, and especially so alter the plan of assessment, as to equalize as near as possible the small amount of individual taxation that must be contributed to its support. This has been the most formidable objection urged against the law as it now stands, and without doubt was the cause of at least one hundred thousand votes against it, that would otherwise have been in its favor. As the law is for a popular good, it should be made, as soon as possible, a popular law.

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.-Mr. Fillmore's first Annual Message reached us too late for comment. We may say, however, that it is a document of extraordinary vigor, dignified and patriotic.

A WORTHY MISSION. - Dr. Bonfils, of Weston, Platt Co., Missouri, and his estimable lady are now in Boston, obtaining funds to aid their county in establishing a Protestant normal school for young ladies, and one or more public schools for males and females Hitherto the Catholic vote in the county has prevented the establishment of any places of popular educacation, except those under the supervision of that sect; but at the last session of the Legisla

ture, an appropriation was made for the support of Secular Common schools, on condition that the county would raise the sum of five thousan dollars for the same object. It is for the p pose of obtaining that sum, that Dr. B. and lady are now in the Atlantic States. The mission has been liberally answered in Boston, and as they will visit New-York in a few days, we hope they will also meet with a cordial response here.

OUR BOOK TABLE.

FROM the temporary quarters of the APPLETONS, corner of Broadway and Dey-street, we have received a copy of the LIFE OF JOHN RANDOLPH; EVENINGS AT DONALDSON MANOR; SACRED SCENES IN THE LIFE OF OUR SAVIOUR; MIDSUMMER FAYS; and THE CON

SPIRATOR.

THE LIFE OF JOHN RANDOLPH is a book of two volumes, octavo, handsomely bound in cloth, from the pen of the Hon. John A. Garland. The task of preparing a true and well-balanced biography of this extraordinary and ill-balanced character was evidently one of no common hazard, but we can safely say that Mr. Garland has, apparently, at least, accomplished what few men would have undertaken. He has given us a daguerreotype of a character more eccentric and variable than Uranus itself, and withal, two volumes of exceedingly choice historical reading. Indeed, the life of John Randolph was so closely interwoven with the legislative and diplomatic affairs of his country, that the biography here given falls little short of a political history of the United States during that period. EVENINGS AT DONALDSON MANOR: By Mrs. Maria J. McIntosh. This is a magnificent American holiday hook for 1851, bound in oriental richness, and embellished with 10 exquisite steel engravings, by Smillie, Phillibrown, Muller, Greatback, and Finden; after paintings by Durand, Weir, Huntington and others, all executed in the best style of these several artists. The plate here got out between the joint glories of Durand and Smillie, The Western Lake," is a specimen of refinement in landscape painting and engraving scarcely rivaled in any portion of the world; and that beautiful creation, "Zuleka," also in this volume, stippled by Finden, after a painting by J. W. Wright, is scarcely less perfect of its kind. We may add, en passant. that the literary portion of this book is worth the embellishment, a compliment seldom bestowable on holiday gift-books.

SACRED SCENES IN THE LIFE OF OUR SAVIOUR.This is a most appropriate gift-book for the Christmas holidays. The "scenes" are presented in prose and poetry, by various authors, embellished with sixteen line engravings on steel. The volume is elegantly bound in morocco and gold.

MIDSUMMER FAYS.-This is a charming little book of Fairy Tales for little folk, by "Susan Pindar," the sister of "Peter," no doubt, and the authoress of

"Fireside Fairies." It is gotten up in very pretty style, and is intended as a juvenile gift-book.

THE CONSPIRATOR, by A E. Depuy, is a new American novel, evidently based on the history of Burr's treason, and the doings at Blannerhasset Island. It is a well-written romance, in one volume, of 300 12mo. pages.

The Messrs. Harper have sent us a set of THE PICTORIAL FIELD-BOOK OF THE REVOLUTION, So far as it has been published, comprising eight numbers. This book is written and illustrated by B. J. Lossing, Esquire, who has shown himself equally au fait at the pen, the pencil, and the graver. To accomplish his undertaking, he has visited the various scenes of conflict in the struggle of our forefathers for liberty, and made faithful sketches of them, and such relics connected with them as were to be found. These he has carefully transferred to wood, and engraved in a beautiful manner, thus presenting a work embellished with numerous spirited specimens of art, gracefully interwoven with well-written reminiscences and historical scraps of that glorious era. Every American should possess a copy of this work. We quote a short passage from the first paragraph :

"Man loves the soil that gave him birth as the child loves its mother, and from the same inherent

impulses. When exiled from his father-land, he yearns by legal oath, disclaim allegiance to his own, and for it as a child yearns for home; and though he may, swear fealty to another government, the invisible links of patriotism which bind him to his country cannot be severed; his lips and hand bear false witness against his truthful heart."

HISTORY OF ALL NATIONS.-This is a very valuable serial, by S. C. Goodrich, now in course of publication, by Wilkins, Carter, & Co., Boston; Stringer and Townsend are the agents in this city.

CHANTICLEER, a Thanksgiving story: J. S. Redfield, Clinton Hall, publisher. A very pretty giftbook for the Thanksgiv ng and Christmas holidays, 155 pp., beautifully bound in cloth and gold. The book bears the name of no author, but it is a good story well told, and with a good moral.

TWELVE QUALITIES OF THE MIND, or outlines of a new system of physiognomy, by J. W. Redfield, M. D. Pamphlet, published by J. S. Redfield, Clinton Hall. Dr. R. is an enthusiastic disciple of Lavater, and his pamphlets on this subject are not only interesting, but logical.

THE ORDER OF UNITED AMERICANS.

ORR

THIS admirable Institution, created for high and ennobling purposes, and with which we have been associated from its earliest history, is entitled to, and shall receive at our hands a liberal space in the columns of the Republic. Indeed, the presiding spirit of the Order-LOVE OF COUNTRYwill pervade the entire fabric, bearing on wings of light and intelligence, the admonitions of the patriot, to every American heart, and conveying facts and realities that can be gathered from no other source.

The Order of United Americans was established for the purpose of creating a renewed nationality of sentiment among our people, to the end that a more effective guard may be thrown around our Union and its blessed Institutionsto check the progress of the demagogue, and to avert the jealous influences of all foreign Powers, Princes, Potentates, or prejudices. It harbors in itself no prejudices, it launches no invectives against the foreigner, it would not seek to deprive any man of his legitimate and constitutional rights: but on the contrary, it extends the right hand of welcome to the deserving of every clime. It aims to purify the ballot-box-to protect the elective franchise from the polluting and desecrating touch of demagogues, whether native or foreign, and to implant in the minds of all lovers of true Liberty, a sentiment that shall serve in its defense as a bulwark stronger than fortress walls--more powerful than Mercury and Mars; and being devoted to the great cause of political emancipation, it will be found always arrayed on the side of civil and religious Freedom in every quarter of the world.

The Order is not proscriptive, as some would assert. True, it does not receive into its councils men of other nations, because the duties that it has to perform are peculiarly the duties of

Americans; they are duties too sacred to be entrusted to other hands. It receives with open arms every man of good character, born under the jurisdiction of the United States, ignorant alike of his political and religious creeds. The souls of such are sure to sympathize with the spirit of the order, and hence there is no clashing of sentiments in its Councils. It knows no sectional distinctions, no line of demarkation between the people or the interests of this broad and happy Union. Its sympathies are alike with the fair and sunny South, the frosty North, and the golden, glowing West. Wherever the banner of our country floats, there is its home, there will it labor to cement with a growing and a stronger power, the links that bind us together as a free and Independent people.

Another feature of the Order is that of BENEVOLENCE and fraternal kindness. By means of this we are enabled to minister to the distresses of a brother-to smooth the pillow of sickness-to bury the dead-to comfort the widow, and to protect and cherish the orphan. SUCH IS THE ORDER OF UNITED AMERICANS.

But it may be, and has been urged, that there is no need of such an institution-that there is no danger-that our institutions are already sufficiently guarded by the intelligence of the people, and that our vast physical resources are sufficient to bid defiance to the heaviest assaults of despotism, come from what quarter they may. These are but the answers of the blind man, who unconsciously stands upon the brink of a precipice. He sees not the danger that by a single step would hurl him from existence, and in the very ignorance of his peril, he calmly bares his brow to the evening zephyrs. Let those who are thus politically blind, open their eyes, look about them, and see where stand the old land-marks of our prosperity as a nation, and our repose and happiness as a people. They will see that the stability of our Institutions, once deemed so firm, is now a subject of speculation; that the dissolution of our union has become a consideration familiar as household words-men contemplate it without a shudder. They will see that the right of suffrage is regarded by our best men as not worth the possession-that it is a mockery of corruption, instead of the "palladium of Liberty;" they will see our leading politicians transformed to demagogues, who pander to ignorance, and kneel at the shrine of politico-religious influences for the

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CHAPTERS

sake of partisan spoils and personal aggrandizement; they will see the good old foundation COLLECTING subscriptions for the Republic, from stones of our State constitutions carried away, their members, are requested to give a receipt and new ones, with new theories engraven in for each payment, and keep a list of those paystrange language upon them, set in their stead; ing, to be handed, with the money, to Jesse Reed, they will see men not one year from the stygian Esq., 59 Cortland St., or to Capt. J. J. Dickincells of despotic and papal ignorance, choosing son, at the Astor Mutual Insurance Office, Merlegislative and executive officers for the Ameri- chant's Exchange, Cor. of William and Exchange can people; and here, where we write, in the great Streets. Blank receipts will be furnished at and intelligent state of New-York, they will see this office, or sent wherever required. Moneys that within five years past the good old Constitu- collected should be handed over to the trustees tion has been wiped away, and a new one, making above named, as soon as possible after it is reroom in the executive chair for any foreign eccle- | ceived. siastic, has been adopted in its stead, thus opening the door to that bane of all free governments, an union of Church and State, a commingling of religion and politics. In adopting this constitution the people did their part blindly; they trusted to the convention that framed the instru-ernacle, in the presence of a very large audience. ment, and there were not wanting men who saw that it was framed to their own liking. These facts show that something more than the mere well-meaning of the people is needed to watch over the destinies of our country. If it is not the Order of United Americans, what is it?

Our danger lies not in physical influencesour defense must not rely solely on physical power. The jealousies of the Monarchies of the Old World are more and more directed towards us as the influences of our liberal system of government is more and more felt among their people, and at each successive struggle for liberty, new hatreds are engendered against us, and new plans devised to put out that all-pervading glory which points man to his true, God-created and God-like dignity and destiny,- Freedom of thought and conscience. They send their emissaries amongst us, gain political rights, create factions, raise issues, embroil sections, and cause local heart-burnings and animosities, which put to the test the sternest energies of patriotism to withstand; and, while at a distance, they calmly laugh in their sleeves at the progressive success of their devilish plans, the American people are absorbed to the very senses in an insatiate thirst for gain. In such a crisis, who are the first to come forth, casting their partisan chains to the earth, and arraying themselves fearlessly on the side of their country? A band of Patriots,-The Order of United Americans, whose voice has already been heard, and whose influence has been felt in the cause of the Union, even from the snowy mountains of Vermont, to the teeming prairies of Texas and Louisianaand who, with the help of that Great Power which stood by the side of our ancestors of '76, will not slumber until the American People are re-united, re-nationalized—and the persecuting spirit of foreign influence is driven effectively and forever from amongst us.

THE UNITED DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA.—The Chancery of this patriotic association of American Ladies, celebrated their fifth Anniversary on the 27th of November, at the Broadway Tab

W. H. Smith, Esq., P. C. of Washington Chapter O. U. A. presided. The proceedings were opened and closed with prayer; an appropriate and stirring address was delivered by Chancellor Samuel Knower, of Schuyler Chapter; a charter was presented, and the intervals were The " enlivened with choice music. Daughters" were present in large numbers, wearing their delicate regalia, and it may be taken for granted that there was no lack of beauty and intelligence. Miss E. C. Reed presided at the piano with skill and grace.

THE ORDER IN MASSACHUSETTS is now in a most flourishing condition, notwithstanding the temporary obstructions that it has had to contend with. New Chapters are being formed in the rural districts, and in Boston the members have fitted up and christened the American Hall, No. 64 Hanover St. in an elegant and appropriate manner for their meetings. We have not a complete directory of the Chapters in that State, but Hancock, No. 1, meets as above, in Boston, every Thursday Evening. Jonathan Pierce, Esq., is the G. S., and James E. Banell, G. C. C.

CONNECTICUT.-This good old State is responding to the American sentiment as she did in '76. She will establish a Chancery in a very short time. The order is flourishing and popular. We shall have their Directory for the next number.

NOTICE.-The G. C. C.'s of the several States are requested to communicate officially to Arch Chancery the name, number, location, night and place of meeting, and the names of the officers of any new chapters instituted by them, together with such other information as may appear to be

necessary.

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