The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-31
ENGLAND AND. THE UNITED STATES.

This was the language of Lord Chatham while
discussing, in the British Parliament, proposition
"a repeal the stamp act-that -starred and arbitrary
,,sssure which excited the American colonies to
,0eh a stubborn and effective opposition to the
British crown. The triumph Of the colonies proved
b.t even in our infant resistance to awless rule, no
poglshman-however firm in power, and gifted
with eloquenee however foremost in sagacity, and
Ausbed with the conscious dignity of pre-emnence--
,Ood Justify his contempt for the spirit and re-
sources of the American people. This hasty SEN
iment of his Lordship was natural and ineligible.
For, courty politicians, who burned to exercise inn
..,ous powers, never estimated the ardor Of patriot
ism, the pride of liberty, the brave resolve, and in
domable will, which animated our forest citizens,
,bo left their native soil to search for freedom, and
hnnd il in America. In that sturdy and heroic age,
.. aid not quite number three scanty millions of pop
nation, badly prepared for the dreadful vicissudes
ofevil war Our hardy adventures, and bold assert
,rs of each honest right, raised their naked heads
and rugged limbs, their unfed troops and unarmed
hands, against the peltiDgs ola British storm. That
evil storm swept the land with reckless rage, and
shook each timber in the temple Of our liberties. Yet
the fury of the hurricane passed mournfully away,
and only hardened and fortified what could not de-
s,roy. Through seven long years of burning agony
and freezing toll we braved the violence of British
bower, backed as it was by the savage foe, by hired
myrmidons from foreign parts, and horrd renegades
from our scanty camp But, instead Of submission
to this motley host, we gave our courage to our
country, our vengeance to our enemies, and to the
gazing nations of the earth lesson more lofty and
glorious than the proudest philosophy had ever
taught. We broke the dazzling coronet which
lured and infatuated the parasites of power. We
gave CORY graves to the paricdal tyrants who srove
IN combat TO iasten their niahacles upon us; and, in
o and free defiance Of the British King, we reared
republic high above the models of all ancient fame
and here she stands--erect, conspicuous, and sub
lime the prize of valor, the reward of patriotism,
the delight and admiration Of liberty.
But wholesome reconcilement seldom grows where
the cancer of family contention has eaten Deep The
same vindictive spirit which marks the progress
aud the character of man. is often discerned in the
conduct Of states, producing consequences which
NO Justice owns, and no huhianity ihvoEes. Hence,
notwithstanding colonial resistance to English rule
ended well, and bound up the demon of discord in
the chains of peace, England has often cast the side
long glances of wistful dominion over the fair
daughters whom her wanton cruelty has forced for
ever from her maternal control.
In seasons of protested friesSSs..ip and con6ding
brotherhood-when no clouds Of distrust Swallowed
the genller scenes of peace-England has sometimes
exered monstrous authority over our maritime
rights nsuted flag, braved our citizens, derided
our power, and pressed the idle notion upon weak
and credulous people, that we could not be kicked
or cudgelled into war. In the morning of this
eventf, century, orator Canning, and other lhnina
res of the British throne, Knocked our militia, de-
rdsd our naval force and promised, in the event of
war, to shatter our national defences with early
,hunders from the British oak! But, from out the
dark and rumbling sky Of England, we had often
heard such thunder-peals before. Yet, we always
relied upon strength, courage, and patriotism
the safest conductors to carry off the lightning which
threatened to destroy us. Accordingly, we dismiss
ed all fear and, in 1912, we cooly assumed the ar
NOR of war, courted the perous casualties Of food
and field, marched with heroic tread to the deadly
breach and briny deep, and often made the ocean
monarch strike his proud standards to our gallant
bands, and "tear down the colors which valor had
rallied 70 the ,mas,.'
knowledge of the past invites and justifes
goodly anticipation of the future When young
and feeble, deserted and alone--when pressed by
poverty, and disowned by power--wc never yet
covered to the stoutest foe, but hurled back upon
him the missiles of arrogance, till he smarted from
the evils of his own procuring. II is too late, there
fore to create the impression, in this thoughtful uge,
that our great and growing republic be cuffed in
peace, or degraded in war; Twenty millions of
people, full Of courage and conscious of power are
under the amount Of population which we can fair
y count We can provide every champion Of
American rights with all the armor, implements, and
munitions of war, which the safety and dignity Of
The nation may require. We ask for justice, and
desire no more Give us that, and away with the
Dreadful achymy which would turn the milk of
kindness into boiling bood-the wholesome aliment
OF peace into the immedicable poison of life. We
vi dosttdCt war. w drS OItcn act
a mist upon the mental horizon, conccaling what
useful and attractive in peaceful times, and bring
ing forward, in imposing glory, the creatures and
'he qualities which profit from the brilliancy of a
military illumination. They furnish the uniform of
history. Stars, and rbands, and epaulettes, and
nglmentals offer advancement to unworthy aims,
give dangerous pre-eminence to the favores of
'orune and secure unmeried importance 10 the
puppet-shows Of state and aristocracy. They Gre
ATE waste, debt, burdens, and immoralities in appal
ing profusion; and sometimes enable gifted and
uanscendent tyrant to ruin his country and harass
Inc world. Yet we can endure these scourges of
naFd-vlsaged war, whenever the safety and dignity
o. the nation shall demand it, for bread and water
are nectar and ambrosia, when compared to any
satisfaction or advantage which we could derive
rom trucking acquiescence in the insolence Of
power, and lawless invasion of our dearest rights
England is, indeed, brave and warlke nation,
'ul Of power, and conscious of superiority. But
'he has restless and indomtable disposition to con-
uoI the world. She would encircle the earth with
'ne terror of her arms, and hold together her UNI
measured domnions by the cohesive power of her
uuTRe and The annalI,nu b,,,o. .e L.. ...o.l II.