The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-17
European Enquiries Relative to America


dress you. r.h g.
First, let express my wish, not emily for a sou nd
and enduring peace between this and ours but
further Tor the growth, AID complete ripenng of the
fullest understanding and the most cordial good feel
Ing between the two people, and between their
Next, take the liberty Of thus inviting your atten.
ton for the purpose Of asking why is that the pre-
sent means Of public information in England do not
accomplish more towards brin cling the peo-
pie better acquainted with native American literature
orstory, and men Of letters? say the mass" be-
cause DO doubt our upper classes can commau from
present sources the means for any information they
may desire From them some information to the world
may emanate Many specimens Of criticism from those
gu riers however, have been In tone which does not
comPort with Justice to such OF your men, women,
books and speeches. as it has been my lot to meet here
Unconneeted with any of the machinery aud modes
by which this information might be promoted and cir
cuated feel unable and therefore do not assume to
point out how such could best be accomplished but as
constant reader, of books. and men, both ancient
and modern and of the current journals aud periodi
Gals, feel the want, and venture to intrude the
above query and to invite the desired means fnforma
ton.
1t has been much the case, hitherto, that our in
formants have fret created and then cherished i'm
PRESTON that native literature is deficient in Anne
RIGA and that her eoquence is Of inferior charac-
ter 1t will perhaps be said that have long had be-
fore u.s. and also amply noticed the writing of Wash
ngton Irving, Cooper. Prescott and some few other
American writer's, well as the speeches of Webster
Clay, and Calhoun. They however, are butfew of many
are cases of persons holding official distinctions
Therefore feel that they may be brought before u.s.
somewhat on account Of their position.
am led to these reflections at this time and to the
request made absve by several instances, both of
enlightened, usefuI and pleasing American writings
by some specimens Of powerful and brilliant oratory
from Americans here. Several reports OF speeches
lately delivered in America have also found their way
to this country The vigor fresh ness and appropri
ate point both of these writings and sayings create
thirst for the enjoyment and the benefit of Of
the hke andswhile, from prejudice ignorance our
great Journals hardly ever give gimpses of your
tiopal eoquence literature are driven to some
more efficient and honest means of information. or
the instances to which alude lot name the speech
of Mr. Winthrop, the Speaker of the House of Repre-
eeptatves, made on the Fourth of July last on the
Inauguration Of the Washington Monument That
been circulated to some extent Ia England and been
Justly regarded as a model of fine speaking The COM
preht nsivs review Of the biography Of the great
ana history OF his country must have been listened
to with admiration whilst the deductions so conclu
sivey drawn from both and the recomme ndations 80
epphatcay submitted by the speaker to his country
men. must command the sympathy and attract the
cordial interest of the inhabitants Of all countries
It combines indeed: the judgment of the statesman
the WI dom OF the philosopher and the good feeling Of
the philanthropist Great Britain has also become
familiar with the speech Of your talented compatriot
at our recent Literary Fund anniversary festival
more eloquent, elegant, and appropriate speech was
perhaps meyer uttered on such an OCCASION; and de-
doubt literally on the spur of the moment, it evinces
cordially Of heart and clearness Of head with which
we English would most gladly fraternise.
So with some friends doth English and foreien on
arecent Sunday, joining congregation of thousand
persons in one OF our new and beautiful metropolitan
dressed by q clergyman, . stranger. in a style Of
rnest and classical eloquence which attracted our
gentleman might be. We were in formed that he was
an American clergyman the Rev James Richmond, of
Rhode Island, His sermon was delivered entirely ex-
temporaneousy, and fine specimen of pulpit orstory
1t was breathing spirit Of devout christianity and Of
earnest mnstration Indeed 1t appeared to all of the
party to be happy embodying Of that which we may
he ffoya and n Of fno
preaching intended when it was said $50 teach the
had never before (that am aware Of, heard Ame-
rican clergyman preach in Of parish churches.
Now, sir, what would come to is this these in
stances make men here feel that ought to be- aud
wish that We may be- far better acquainted with what
you on the other side, really are and what you
doing learning and teaching Depend on it, that no.
thing would better destroy all jealousy, and promote
determination. We know that you are thriving, and
heartily wish you success Officers Of State and off,
preach fears; but our practical many admire the
enterprise AMI industry which believe to be
burthens and envy the lightness of yours yet the
people, do not really feel jealous Of your prosperity
The request, then that some of us make to you and
yours s TO accomplish some mode of letting be in
formed from yourselves by yourselves of yourselves
and your doings and not leave important mission
as the Interpretation of your smply-grown, yet still
coteres and the Grabbed crustiness of
ventionalists. Your obt ser't, ANGLICANUS.
This is one of many letters which have recently
been addressed to us from honest and intelligent
men In Great Britain, and 1t reveals state of
things which we shall first describe and then pro-
pose remedy for.
No American ever travelled IN England, without
being astonlshed at the enormous ignorance tn at
prevails there, respecting this country, among all
classes. Very few Engllshmen, unless they have
travelled in the United States, have the remotest
idea of the character of people, or their nsti-
tutlons. This can easily be accounted for. The
mass OF British subjects cannot read at all; and if
they could, they are too poor to buy books, or take
expensive English newspapers. The opinions of
the middle and upper classes are formed almost
entirely by those who conduct the daily press,
whose editors have, from the beginning, either
from malignity, or misapprehenslon, misrepresent-
ed the resources, the institutions the progress and
the spirit of the United States.
Seventy years ago, the proclamation of a new
republic, by comparatively feeble and insignif-
cant people, aroused the attention of the world
Chatham, Fox, Sheridan, and Burke, who dis
tnguished themselves by their liberal principles,
foresaw the destiny of this country, and foretold
Its influence upon the governments of Europe
Hitherto, English journals and travellers, have
secuted the idea that our republic was putting
forth any considerable influence upon the govern
ments of Europe. But this game is over. 1t can
no longer be played with success.
1t is not only now demonstrated that our sue
cessfu experiment at republican institutions has
had very strong influence in undermining the
principles of the old world, but that
the war OF the revolution, and the confederation
OF 11S3, were among the exciting causes of those
stirring scenes which so soon after introduced the
first republic of France
The tendency of our example to stimulate every
republican impulse on the continent, has always
been perceived by the Mettemichs and Gulzots of
Europe. But in England more than in any other
country, the upholders of that colossal despotism
have increasingly and Indignantly misrepresented
and illuminated us. To speak with respect, or
wen forbearance, of American republlcanlsm,