New-York daily tribune., 1843-03-06

WITH INrrRsArIosAL CcpY.RIGHr. By CoRseLlus
MATHEWS hew-YoIk and Londou: Wiley ru'-
We are glad that this Lecture, which we noticed
et the time it was delivered, has been published,
for it presents considerations connected with the
abiding welfare of our country TO which
who loves pure and lofty Literature should re-
main longer blind. It places the question Of cur
International Copyright upon its proper ground,
not upon calculations of profit ard loss, but upon
the principles of intrinsic justice and the best inte
rests Of American Literature. 1t is written with
iervid, earnest eoquence, and, if it meet with the
general attention which it deserves, must exert a
decided and healthy influence upon the public mind.
OF the general Importance Of the theme MIR. Ma
rugws thus freely speaks:
The education Of the American peopia lies, after
oil, in what they read the seoI, that governs IFS
acts, enters through the eye SEat dwe!is upon The
printed page. Now; in its growth, in the suscep-
tible and plastic period of youth, it should have
wise regard to the influence to which 1t subjects
itself; most of all to such steal upon 1t in silence
and without warning of their approach
Out of the past come voices of triumph and en-
couragement; in the future glean eyes of hopeful
that is upon us and about u.s. is thick-set with dar
gers. A steady foot, regard fixed constantly up
on the true lights and standards of our course, can
only carry us forward. We should wander
into other spheres, into other quarters OF the sky
to take an observation Of our path Over our own
home lies the heaven to which we must look for
guidance and for o1nens.
AS great nation, standing in the very front rank
of the guides and examples of rnankind America
should desire to possess literature, whether for
cgn or native, only under the broadcast and cearest
sanctions Of right and justice
Already it is whispered through the world that
she is false to the high faith she processes it is
!rutercd from corner to corner of Europe that she
can violate the very spot, made sacred by many
trials and sacrifices of heroic stamp, the clear
obligations of man to man, community to commu-
nity. She owes it TO herself, and to the great
cause of which she is an acknowledged represen-
ratve TO stand forth, and gathering her pure robes
about her, rcpel by instant action asPerslons so
unworthy of her faith and her fame When think
of America as she should be- she always rises be-
fore me majestic personaton-colossal, steadtast,
heayenward and noble in her look and towering
infinitely above base usagcs and habitudes of gross
creatures. But when l regard her In some OF her
acts, she seems shrunken from these great proper
items, creuched meanly upon the earh peering
with starved and guilty look among cihdsrs and
fragments for some pittance which she would faia
clutch and guard precious inheritance
After free and bold deneation Of the existing
state of American Literature, we have this strong
statement; OF our position In contrast with that
which we should have reached
This is the condition of u Province; Of some
little obscure, petty :stae, ashamed to show Its
head among nations, land capable OF subs'stlng on
the very stalks and husks of literature Ii 1t be
not an object with us to escape out OF this low Hat,
this Chinese Garden of all that is petty and absurd
in letters if we can dwell contentedly there; and
if the national energy and dignity of character
should fail to Weld under the accurNulated evils OF
system like this, we may fairly count upon our
selves as nation of tranquil Philosophic thinkers,
destined 10 endure forever-an everlasting modci
of self. f.satished debaseHeRt to the world
This cannot, however, hinder the admission, that
this country is, in literature, the present time,
dependency of Great Britain. it has every mark
and characteristic of that sorvlle condition. In
the first place it relies for its very literature OF
amusement-which, if any, should be se-sup- !
plicd-on distant country. 1t pauses before 1t
makes up its historical records tor the researches
of hostile scholars. 1t borIows the learning OF
antiquity through the factorship OF compllers'
farther distant than the seats and fountains OF an
tquily themselves. tappropriates without credit,
in mary cases. its fiction; in some, It's divinity IN
others, its earnins it initiates, without stint, the
productions it cannot rival.
Mr. MATHEWS writes with great strength and
direct manly bodness which give his Lecture
force and impressive energy 1t breathes through
out the lofty spirit of independence end virtue
which should mark national literature; and it
places the whole question discussed strongly
and clearly in the light of justice and honest deal
ing, as well as of security from evil and the best
policy in a national sense, that few can read it
without being impressed with the proprle;y and
necessity Of the measure proposed. Throughout
the whole controversy connected with this subject
Mr.. MATHEWS has exhibited consistent and ear
nest advocacy of the Right, highly honorable to
himself and of eminent service to the cause. We
t,us, his Lecture, marked as 1t is by beauty and
energy of style, as well by the soundness OF The
positions il maintains, will be generally read.
The PnILosorHY REFORM: Lecture with four DIS
upon The same general topic. ,e0 ny ynn hev g.
This is small volume made up OF Lectures de-
lveled by Mr.. CAarlS during the present season
this city and in Brooklyn. They all discuss the
general theme of Reform, the first presenting the
distinctions between the Conservative AND the
Radical, with the errors of both, and aiming TO
show tina, in the Christian religion alone Is 10 DC
found the central life Of all Reform; the second
condernnng the spirit of intolerance as 1t obstr1cts
reform; the third showing that the success OF all
The mora, and religious associations OF the day de-
penas directly upon the law of Christianity IN