按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
physical and local； but also to moral causes… to the political
liberty； the general diffusion of knowledge； the prevalence of sound
moral and religious principles； which give force and sustained
energy to the character of a people； and which； in fact； have been the
acknowledged and wonderful supporters of their own national power
and glory。
But why are we so exquisitely alive to the aspersions of England？
Why do we suffer ourselves to be so affected by the contumely she
has endeavored to cast upon us？ It is not in the opinion of England
alone that honor lives； and reputation has its being。 The world at
large is the arbiter of a nation's fame； with its thousand eyes it
witnesses a nation's deeds； and from their collective testimony is
national glory or national disgrace established。
For ourselves； therefore； it is comparatively of but little
importance whether England does us justice or not； it is； perhaps；
of far more importance to herself。 She is instilling anger and
resentment into the bosom of a youthful nation； to grow with its
growth and strengthen with its strength。 If in America； as some of her
writers are laboring to convince her； she is hereafter to find an
invidious rival； and a gigantic foe； she may thank those very
writers for having provoked rivalship and irritated hostility。 Every
one knows the all…pervading influence of literature at the present
day； and how much the opinions and passions of mankind are under its
control。 The mere contests of the sword are temporary； their wounds
are but in the flesh； and it is the pride of the generous to forgive
and forget them； but the slanders of the pen pierce to the heart； they
rankle longest in the noblest spirits； they dwell ever present in
the mind； and render it morbidly sensitive to the most trifling
collision。 It is but seldom that any one overt act produces
hostilities between two nations； there exists； most commonly； a
previous jealousy and ill…will； a predisposition to take offence。
Trace these to their cause； and how often will they be found to
originate in the mischievous effusions of mercenary writers； who；
secure in their closets； and for ignominious bread； concoct and
circulate the venom that is to inflame the generous and the brave。
I am not laying too much stress upon this point； for it applies most
emphatically to our particular case。 Over no nation does the press
hold a more absolute control than over the people of America； for
the universal education of the poorest classes makes every
individual a reader。 There is nothing published in England on the
subject of our country that does not circulate through every part of
it。 There is not a calumny dropped from English pen； nor an unworthy
sarcasm uttered by an English statesman； that does not go to blight
good…will； and add to the mass of latent resentment。 Possessing； then；
as England does； the fountain…head whence the literature of the
language flows； how completely is it in her power； and how truly is it
her duty； to make it the medium of amiable and magnanimous feeling…
a stream where the two nations might meet together； and drink in peace
and kindness。 Should she； however； persist in turning it to waters
of bitterness； the time may come when she may repent her folly。 The
present friendship of America may be of but little moment to her；
but the future destinies of that country do not admit of a doubt； over
those of England there lower some shadows of uncertainty。 Should；
then； a day of gloom arrive； should these reverses overtake her；
from which the proudest empires have not been exempt； she may look
back with regret at her infatuation； in repulsing from her side a
nation she might have grappled to her bosom； and thus destroying her
only chance for real friendship beyond the boundaries of her own
dominions。
There is a general impression in England； that the people of the
United States are inimical to the parent country。 It is one of the
errors which have been diligently propagated by designing writers。
There is； doubtless； considerable political hostility； and a general
soreness at the illiberality of the English press； but； generally
speaking； the prepossessions of the people are strongly in favor of
England。 Indeed； at one time； they amounted； in many parts of the
Union； to an absurd degree of bigotry。 The bare name of Englishman was
a passport to the confidence and hospitality of every family； and
too often gave a transient currency to the worthless and the
ungrateful。 Throughout the country there was something of enthusiasm
connected with the idea of England。 We looked to it with a hallowed
feeling of tenderness and veneration； as the land of our forefathers…
the august repository of the monuments and antiquities of our race…
the birthplace and mausoleum of the sages and heroes of our paternal
history。 After our own country； there was none in whose glory we more
delighted… none whose good opinion we were more anxious to possess…
none towards which our hearts yearned with such throbbings of warm
consanguinity。 Even during the late war； whenever there was the least
opportunity for kind feelings to spring forth； it was the delight of
the generous spirits of our country to show that； in the midst of
hostilities； they still kept alive the sparks of future friendship。
Is all this to be at an end？ Is this golden band of kindred
sympathies； so rare between nations； to be broken for ever？… Perhaps
it is for the best… it may dispel an illusion which might have kept us
in mental vassalage； which might have interfered occasionally with our
true interests； and prevented the growth of proper national pride。 But
it is hard to give up the kindred tie！ and there are feelings dearer
than interest… closer to the heart than pride… that will still make us
cast back a look of regret； as we wander farther and farther from
the paternal roof； and lament the waywardness of the parent that would
repel the affections of the child。
Short…sighted and injudicious； however； as the conduct of England
may be in this system of aspersion； recrimination on our part would be
equally ill…judged。 I speak not of a prompt and spirited vindication
of our country； nor the keenest castigation of her slanderers… but I
allude to a disposition to retaliate in kind； to retort sarcasm； and
inspire prejudice； which seems to be spreading widely among our
writers。 Let us guard particularly against such a temper； for it would
double the evil instead of redressing the wrong。 Nothing is so easy
and inviting as the retort of abuse and sarcasm； but it is a paltry
and an unprofitable contest。 It is the alternative of a morbid mind；
fretted into petulance； rather than warmed into indignation。 If
England is willing to permit the mean jealousies of trade； or the
rancorous animosities of politics； to deprave the integrity of her
press； and poison the fountain of public opinion； let us beware of her
example。 She may deem it her interest to diffuse error； and engender
antipathy； for the purpose of checking emigration； we have no
purpose of the kind to serve。 Neither have we any spirit of national
jealousy to gratify； for as yet； in all our rivalships with England；
we are the rising and the gaining party。 There can be no end to
answer； therefore； but the gratification of resentment… a mere
spirit of retaliation； and even that is impotent。 Our retorts are
never republished in England； they fall short； therefore； of their
aim； but they foster a querulous and peevish temper among our writers；
they sour the sweet flow of our early literature； and sow thorns and
brambles among its blossoms。 What is still worse； they circulate
through our own country； and； as far as they have effect； excite
virulent national prejudices。 This last is the evil most especially to
be deprecated。 Governed； as we are； entirely by public opinion； the
utmost care should be taken to preserve the purity of the public mind。
Knowledge is power； and truth is knowledge； whoever； therefore；
knowingly propagates a prejudice； willfully saps the foundation of his