American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1814-1822, 1822-03-01

| from his linibs, and bound them round his heart
But he cannot come over to U.s. An English SOL
der would help 10 kill him. il he asserted his liberty;
and the main power that coerces him is English.
| Now, the plea which our own colonists allege, for
possessing slaves is necessity, and either admit
or reject this plea. If we absolye the West Indian
we cannot condemn the American. If we denounce
them both as tyrants, it is clear that of the two
we are most nearly and practically concerned with
Our fellow subjects OF the West Indies. If we can
justify or paliate their slavery let US make allow
ance for that of America.-And il we cen justify
it, then before we preach the emancipation OF slaves
to another empire, ": should first make efforts TO
accomplish that emancipation in our own.
1t is prophesying at random to speak OF the fu-
ture dependence ofthe American language and liter.
ature upon ours and it is unfair to deride their
future prospects of fame, which are neither con-
temp.ible chmerical. In maintaining real rights
let us be resoute but not in bandyng irritating
and useless speculations. Much less in accusations
that heighten national antipathies. How degra
ding to both countries was the spectacle when the
American press accused Englishmen of stirring
their punch with the amputated fingers OF llish
rebels, and when England retored by charging
American parents with letting their children run
drunk about the streets-a loathsome rlvaship in
scandal that would have dsgraced honest hshwo
men-From calumnies like these, base as they are,
spring antipathies that prepare the human mind
for the guilt Of war The serpents teeth, though
buried in the dirt, produce armed mem The evil
otnationally hostile writers lives long after their
short reputations-t is felt by postery, When their
works are gone to the grocers shop
In all that the Editor has said, he has not meant
to Justify the maignity or injustice Of any Ameri-
can railer against England He has only argued
that British pride should be above evaporation, <
should be inclined rather to pardon than punish the
irascibe anxiety Of the Americans respecting their
national character, which though great for their age
as nation is vet proc eeding, and complete That
very anxiety, though it may have been msdlrected,
is vrtuous emotion in young nation.
IT any Ill natured remarks should be made on this
apology which The Editor has offered the people
of the U States he can promise his critics one adj
vantage that he will I'm all probability make no
reply to them. Butthe sober part OF the British
community will scarcely require an excuse for his
having spoken respectfully Of the Americans. 1t
was duty peculiarly imposed on him by the candid
manner Of Mr. Everets reply, and it was otherwise,
as he felt in his heart deservedly claimed by peo-
pie euogized by Burke and Chatham-by land
that brings such recollectons to the mind a. the
wisdom of " ashington and Franklin, and the he-4
roism OF Warren and Montgomery.
Confident that with the exception of such ain ac-i
cidental alteration as has been mentioned his com.
pllaon will be found TO have no characteristic at
variance with the best interests of society, the Ed-
tor presumes solicit the assistance of the literary
men ofall countries to support him in its continu-
ance And finally he begs leave to return his
thanks to the individuals who have hitherto lent him
their aid, as well as to the public for having given
him their encouragement