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english writers on america-第2章

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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

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