The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1821-07-30

ly arise upon the occasion, in the bosom of every
true American, a want of sympathy in those
feelings Is evidence of want OF patriotism, or
Of an undue attachment to some foreign coun-
try. That there is foreign influence in this
country is unquestionable There are many a.
mong US who are covering under the lash Of
the British journals, and who dare not raise
their heads to vindicate their countrys rights
who bow with humble Difference to the AFRO
gance of British writer's, and are willing to take
their opinion Of the American character from
British reviewers, This submission Of literary
men in this country has redoubled the insolence
| of their lords and masters, until the American
spirit can brook it no longer. To the literary
men Of America il cannot be necessary to re-
peat the insults which America has received not
only from the literary men Of Britain, but from
men high in Office
But there are many in the United States, who
viii read the structures upon the address, who
are not aware of the repea ted provocations
which drew from the orator that indignant burst
Of patriotism, which has given such offence to the
sickley, simpering writer's of those structures
There are many whose mild and christian tenn
per will readily admit and, admire the spirit of
meekness and forbearance which is brought in
array against the address, and who will con-
denim the orator because they know not the pro-
vocations which excited his patriotic ardor.
They,therefore, who have already condemned
the orator, as well as those who are now sitting
in judgment upon him, should recollect the as.
pensions which have been thrown upon the Anne
rican character by the most popular journals in
Great Britain and apparently sanctioned by the
voice of the nation; and some of which if COM
municated from one individual to another, would
probably have met instant chastisement.
A few instances only will be selected. In an
epilogue TO aplay performed by the students of
Westminster school, in the presence of crowd
of great personages, ministers of state, dignita-
ries of the church, &c. America is said TO be
"inhabited by barbarians." "Bridewcll and the
stews supply them with senator's, and their res
pectable chief justice is worthless scoundrel"
"The highest praise of merchant is his skill in
lying"
In the London Courier of March %, 1919, it
is said General jackson has the most vilanous
look ever beheld; he is never seen to SMILE The
hero IS tcorthy cfhe people, and The people of the
hero"
In book written by one Fearo,i, and which
lord Grey affirms is book "fuil of the most ru-
fud6te information, and distinguished by marks
of the greatest Jairtess and impariiaiify, it is
said that "the United States are cursed with
population undeserving of their exuberant soil
and free government" "a non-ntereourse &C,
seems to have passed against the sciences, mo-
rails, and literature in America"
Upon his testimony the London critics attempt
to make the world believe, that "the churches i'm
America are filled by fanatics, hypocrites, and
buffoons;" that "gain is the eduation, the mo-
rails, the politics, the theology, and stands, in
stead of the domestic comfort of all ages and
classes of Americans )" t'that the worst degree
OF corruption which the inventive malice of the
worst jacobin ever charged upon the govern
ment of England, is more than realized at the
American capital p that "every election in Anne
RIGA, from the President downwards, is carried
on by bribery, corruption, and intrigue"
In writing of an American book, the Edinburgh
reviewers say, the "style is, in general tolerable
English, which, for American composition, is no
moderate praise" ga spurious dialect, it is
probable, will prevail, even at the court, and in
the senate Of the United States, until that great
commonwealth shall become opnlent enough to
break more distinctly into classes" "All the
specimens of American eloquence grievously sin
against the capons of taste.''
"They have alittle latin whipped into them in
their youth, and read Shakespeare, Pope, and
Milton, as well as bad English novels, in their
days of courtship and leisure"
''It is no doubt true, that America can pro- |
duce nothing TO bring her intellectual efforts into
any sort of comparison with that of Europe |
These republican states have never passed the |
limits ofhumbie medocrty, either in thought or |
expression" Gin short, federal America has
done nothing either to extend, diversity, or EN-
bellish the sphere of human knowledge. Though |
all she has written were oblterated from the re-
cords of learning, there would, if we except
the works of Franklin, be no positive diminll- |
ton, either of the useful or the agreeable The
of her whole literature, would not &C. |
casion so much regret we feel for the loss ola
few lie ayes from ancient classic"
Asthe population becomes more concen,ered, |
as the spirit of adventure is deprived of its OBJ
jects, the sense of honor ioiH improve with the |
Importance of character"
"Literature, the Americans have none--no ma
tive literature, mean. tits all imported They
had Franklin indeed; and may afford to live |
for half century on his fame. There is, or |
was, Mr.. Dwight, who wrote some poems, and |
his baptismal name was Timothy. There is |
also small account of Virginia by Jefferson !; |
and an epic by Joel Barlow, and some pieces of !
pleasantly by Mr.. Irving. But why should the |
Americans write books, when six weeks pas
sage brings them, in their own tongue, our
Sen'e, science and genius, in bales aud hogseads
Prairies, steamboats,, grist mills, their natu-
raj objects for centuries to come"
"Chcy of the western country are hospitable |
to strangers, because they are seldom troubled |
with them, and because they have always plenty |
of maize and smoked hams. Their hospitality |
too, is always accompanied with impertinent /
questions, and a disgusting display of national |
rdniy:"