New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-03
America and the AnsIO-saxous.


Mr.. JOSEPH BREEAS delivered his answer 10 the
question; " Is America Ango-Saxonl" on Fri
day night last at Clinton Hall. The attendance
was very good. The lecturer commenced by
statingt that the late speeches Of Abbott Lawrence
Davis and Bdlwer would form his text hope,
said he, you will keep them constantly in your
minds eye during the hour we are about TO spend
together, for assuredly they are worthy OF your
best attention. They have spoken from high
places; they bear upon them the imprint OF the
seals Of Office, and as much as we may desplse
them here they have all the prestige and force OF
orsces in Europe. An official in England has
more influence than in this country the ste
ries Of Downing ST. are as much respected as ever
were the mysteries Of Delphi Abbott Lawrence
is considered by Europe to be true representa-
tive of American tendencies and ideas, and out OF
his mouth are we condemned. France hears with
astonishment that the great revolution IS forgot
ten, that g bond of brotherhood unites w ash'ng-
ton to St Stephens, and that the model Republic,
which has given shelter and protection to the
slaves of Europe, has extended the hand OF fell
lowship to the old, withered, haggard monarchy
which hunted the Celt with the hounds Of famine;
murdered the Afghan in the name of Christ, and
poisoned China with deadly drugs that it might
rob the corpse. Ireland who still smarts with the
iron marks Of penal laws and grOans with the In
cubus Of an Established Church. shudders when
she hears that America has turned her face from
her, with an approving smile to her enemies. The
declarations of Abbott Lawrence are sufficient to
crush the heart Of European revolution, and ex-
|
tipgush the last spark of the spirit of Forty Eight
Truly may the lrishman say In the bitterness OF
bis heart, w it for this that we crimso ed the
fields Of Mexico with our blood, and cheered the
fight of your eagles over almost impossible noun
tainsl Was il for this that Montgomery fell be-
meath the walls of Quebec, and fertillzed the
roots of your Tree of Liberty with his hearts
bloOd7 Was it for this that your Western States
have been clothed with waving crops OF grain,
every fifth blade of which has been watered from
the sweat drops Of Irish toll =
Is America Anglo Saxon when her Liberties
have been purchased by the continent blood OF
many races Think not that | would disparage
the Pilgrim Fathers or their descendants. l ad-
nit their sincerity, piety, and zeal, although do
not thnk that the best way OF exhibiting these
virtues is to burn people for witches, or prosecute
those OF different opinions | admit that from
them have descended bold, sturdy and active
race Of men who have left, and are still leaving,
many foot prints Of electric thought on the lmper-
ishabe granite of History behind them. and their
descendants NAV reap with pride the harvest OF
their so wing. Tie population OF this country IS
said to be 90 or 2400000O Now the most en-
thusiastic advocates Of New England glory,
limit the number of the descendants OF the Pun
tang 10 3,UUO,OUU. Ouly one 6lSuth VI buO POPu."
ton then can be said to be Anglo Saxon The
native born Irish who have immigrated to this
country exceed the number, and they are lncreas-
ing by the tide of immigration flowing hther day
by day. And yet, in sooth, they say that Amer
ca is Anglo-Saxon.
But if she is not Ango-Saxon mum erlcally, Is
she not so in principle and spirit She might be,
but she is not ,.-,
One-tweptieth of her people entertain English
ympsthies-MonarchistS IN PrlnclPle' anu "oalu
be so in action, if they dared. Are there no An
archists here nome morbidly eager for the emou-
ments and spoils of office, irrespective OF the
claims or merits Of another Are there no big
OTIS fanatics or traitors here Is she, then Anglo
Saxon But if she is not so, either numerically
or in principle | admit that the constitutional
ideas Of England and America are as far apart as
the North and South. England is monarchical-
ignorantly monarchical America IS repuolcan-
inately republican. The one is despotlsm, not
only in her form of Government, but in the intel
lects of her peope-the other is republican, not
only in her declaration of political right, but in the
unwrtten sentiments OF her people. The millions
Of England think by the proxy OF few thousand
men-the millions Of America think for themselves.
Education in the old countries is confined to the
privileged classes-here it is as free as the sun
light In the one, Reform is opposed as Hevolu'
tion-in the other, it is the goal OF Progress
Labor is a slave there-it is a ruler here. VIC
toria is at the head of the Church-the dispenser
of religion well as property. Here, constltu'
tionsliy, is no monarch but God, no creed but the
creed OF Liberty. 1t is not because America is
Anglo Saxon; it grows directly out OF her Re
publican institutions which the great mass OF the
people, English, Irish or German, combine to sup
port. She is therefore no more Anglo Saxon than
she is either Of the above races.
The rest of the speaker remarks were confined
to the character, genius and destiny OF Ireland;
He expressed bis firm conviction that she would
at length achieve her independence, but that re-
ligious, political and educational reform and pro-
gress would be the only stepping stones to even
tual success.