Richmond semi-weekly times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 184?-1853, 1851-02-04
ENGLAND LEARNING AMERICA.

The London Times Of the 9Th inst, has re-
markable article suggested by the speeches of
of Mr.. Webster and Sir H. l.. Bulwer, at the
regret that we have not room for the whole
The following comparison of the eloquence of
the American orator and the English diplomatst,
is pleasing, if not entirely just:
Sir Henry Bulwer has Just established conspicuous
title to the post which he has been selected to FILL At
banquet, crowded with enthusiastic New England
ers, assembled in celebration OF their famous
niversary-F orefathers Day-he outshone even Anne
rican eloqueuce upon American topics, and piled
his delighted audience with the opes OF rhetoric and
tine brllances of metaphor that he fairly carried the
field before him. Yet he had no easy task to per-
form. Mr.. Webster had anticipated every tavorite
apostrophe, and hdd led his countrymen through the
history o s3o years to that moment of pride with
which the moiety Of century closing But no
sooner was Sir Henry warmed in his discourse, than
he elaborat every familiar point OF transatlantic
oraory, and, without disparagng his own allegiance,
succeeded in satisfying every aspiration OF American
pride.
10 simple truth, the two speakers had straight and
obvious course to run. They could well afford to
join hands in congralulaton and compliment Atthis
marked period of history and chronology there are Blu
two civlsed governments in the world the citizens of
which could soemuiZe such festival that reported
from New York; and the events Of the last two years
have amply shown that constitutional monarchy and
nstutlonal republic differ only in political terms
when contrasted with military yraunies or Democratic
experiments.
The article closes with the following entertain
ing reflections upon the position and prospects of
the American Union:
We believe Mr.. Webster was substantially justified
in treating already exploded the recent agitation for
the dissolution OF the federal Union. There is indeed
something unprecedented i'll this enormous aqgrega-
ton OF states and territories that it is impossible to ar
rive al any probable conclusion respecting the future
destines OF America. The weights on the two sea-
boards immense that the constitutional ia
brio must needs be exposed to from its own
| gravation alone. The thirteen States of the Union
have already become three and thirty, not more for
they increase write, and thereis space and
enough Tor converting the number into hundred 1t
is beyond all human power calculate the prospects of
government to which continent supplies territory
and another population. What Caitorniais to Anne
| RIGA, America is to the whole world. No example has
| ever yet been OF such mighty and intermina-
BILE contuX OF people. Ireland alone supplies yearly TO
| this extraordinary State the population OF first class
city. San Francisco has increased more IN two years
than Brighton fifty. The treasures of the new terri
tory have attracted immigrants equal numbers from
the two proverbal exremities OF the world-trom Chi
ma and Peru and yet by wonderful process the
system OF the Union appears to absorb and assimate
to its constitution these various and conflicting ee
| ments No specuator can prognosticate the end of
such prodlgious experiment, or prophesy the even
tual decisions OF chamber in which the delegates oil
California and New Mexico will meet the representa-
tives OF Florida and Maine. But thus much we may
at least say, that the American Union discharg-
ing providental part the progress OF the world and
that if the possible notifications of its political const
sutton are but effected in obedience to the principles
which have hitherto manta aimed IT, there be
son why either Americans or Englishmen need look
+ with apprehensions to the result.