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With respect to democracy, the day before yesterday someone took me to the Tammany Hall
Democratic ball. When I was led into the hall where the commissioners were gathering
strength in a huge punch bowl, I began to deal out handshakes, right and left, to the
cobbler and to the corner grocer. Then all these gentlemen, two abreast and giving each
other their arms to counterbalance the effects of the rum, marched forward, with a band at
their head, and following a pole surmounted by a more or less Phrygian cap, though altered
by silk and gold galloons. They explained to me that this cap represented the victory won
by General [Andrew] Jackson over the English at New Orleans. Enmeshed in this procession,
I advanced triumphantly in the middle of two rows of ladies. What figures and what
clothes! Why, in addition to all that, they were pretty!
After several topical speeches, the dances began. But you might have thought they were
done by apes...For a while this strange spectacle amused me quite a bit, but since I had
forgotten my Eau de Cologne, I escaped...
Yesterday there were more very heated debates in the House of Representatives. When one
member couldn't find words sufficiently expressive, he pulled out a revolver from his
pocket. His opponent immediately provided himself with a Bowie knife. The women, thrilled
by this incident, crowded into the upper galleries, crying: "Let me see the
fight." But the attendants separated the fiery orators, who afterwards apologized to
one another. I shall soon send you [Hinton Rowan] Helper's brochure [The Impending
Crisis], which is causing a great stir right now and which is a resume of Republican
doctrine...
New York, January 16, 1860
...In the South, exasperation has reached its peak. Some Irishmen and
Americans of the Northern states who had formed an unseasonable opinion on the question of
slavery were flogged in the public square, then covered with tar and feathers, and were
sent back to the North dressed in this simple but embarrassing costume. Such excesses are
certainly very regrettable, but one has to admit that the Republicans are to blame. The
violence of their invectives and the counsels of revolt given to the blacks would
naturally lead to reprisals on the part of a passionate and inconsiderate populace.
I think, however, that the good sense of the nation will prevail and will
prevent disunion and conflict, but people are counting much more on financial interests to
quiet the trouble. The large manufacturers are afraid that if the South secedes, it may
refuse its cotton to the North and establish its own industrial plants. I have already
written you all my thoughts on America, but I can add that the more I see of things, the
less I am swayed in favor of this form of government...
Universal suffrage confers authority upon persons unworthy of it and who
often lack the aptitude necessary for public affairs. these persons, in order to retain
the favor of the multitude, often support dangerous ideas and appoint to subordinate
offices those who can be useful to them for their re-election...
This system is carried so far that even in New York the city
authorities use
the enormous taxes imposed on the inhabitants, not for the beautification or for the
maintenance of the city, but to encourage the support of the party, and you will be
astonished when you realize that the taxes amount to the sum of $8,000,000 (40,000,000
francs)...
New York, February 6, 1860
...You complain about the filthiness of Paris. What would you say of New
York, in comparison with which Tetuan is a waxed ballroom? You should see New York! It
snows every day, but the sun is given the task of melting the snow and making it
disappear. The result: slush, three feet deep.
As far as the mayor goes, he was named by the city contractors. He is
their representative, to the great fury of the property owners who pay $8,000,000 in taxes
and enrich the scoundrels. I laugh heartily when I think of the benefits of equality and
find that one has to pay dearly and suffer not a little in order to bear the glorious
title of American citizen...
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