The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-09-05
ENGLAND AND AMERICA.

from the Edinburg Review, M. 7ol
iWRITrns BIZ SIR JAMES MAeisTosH.l
North America presents 10 eur obSrrva-
ton the extraordinary spectacle OF a com
monwesth advancing with gigantic strides
To imperial gre,,ness, with institutions ot
which some are hitherto uatried among
powerful states. BY a singular fortune it
hashappenrd that the same European PEG
3, pie have conquered the most ancient seats
Of civilization IN the East, and founded this
new order of society ia the western world.
Attic same moment we Icarn that the site
of Meroe is aseertalned, or the remains u
Babylon surveyed IN ope quarter OF the
globe while, 10 another, populons and
Aonlishing republics sprlng up in the will
derness, and industry subdGes the desert
with a rapidlty which exceeds the course
of the most renowned warriors. La the
dotninions or among tbe.descendauts Of the
English nation, va discover the most rene-
rablr antiquity to which remembrance eau
stretch, aud the utmost progress in tie time
90 come, from which the most sangnlae
hopes Of entflslasm can anticipate i'm
{provcment. This isA position OF great dig
nifty, 10 which no peopie,Perhaps, was ever
placed before. But there are mauy among
us who seem disposed 10 reject the better
part Of this high destiny. All who, from
whatever motive, either of narrow faction
rofpolllcal Jealousy regard America with
uutrendly eyes, are strangely .forgetfu of
the honor witch rebounds to their country
from that monument Of the genius and
courage of Englishmen. II VAS at thus
that this great subject was viewed by the
wisest men who have gone before u.s.
s." We view the establishment ofthe English
colonies Oh princi pies of liberty (says Mr..
Burke) as that which is to render this king
sdom venerable TO future ages In compa-
rison OF this, we regard all the .yictories and
conquests of our warlike ancestors, or OF
our own times, as barbarous vulgar distinc
tions, in which many nations whom we
look upon with little respect or value, have
equnlled. if not far exceeded us. THIS is
the peculiar and appropriate glory of Eng.
land. Those who have and who hold 10
that foundation of common liberty, whether
ION this or on your side of the ocean, we
consider as the only true Englishman.--
Those who depart from it, either here or
there, are attainted, corrupted in blood,
Iaad wholly fallen from their original rank
5 and value. They are the.reaI rebels to the
fair constitution of England.
These words were intended 10 be ad-
dressed to the people of America, Janua-
fy, l777, Ia period of civil war; by jealous
friend ofthe supremacy of England, after the
declaration of American Independence
The two English States, on both sides of
the Atlantic, are now indeed liable to those
vicissitudes of war and peace to which 20.
pular interests and passions expose all
independent countries but their friendly
intercourseis perhaps still more endanger-
ed by popular animosities and its CONT
nuance depends in some measure on their
habitual temper and feelings towards each
other. The glory of England is the estab-
Eshment ofliberty in great empire. 70
her belongs the moral discover, of Habeas
Corpus and trial by Jury ; of popular re-
Presentation and free press. These iusti-
Sutions she sent forth with her colonies into
she wilderness. By these institutions they