The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-08-29
ENGLAND AND THE U. STATES.

| ty.a common language, and similar laws,
would produce kindly feelings between
England and America, and that the people
OF the United States would always find
frmer friend in Great Britain than in any
other European power. But the truth Is
just the reverse; for up 10 this hour no ma
lion in Europe or elsewhere has been so
universally hostile 10 us--watchins every
opportunity 10 injure our interests. while
keeping up a continued system OF detrac-
ton and abuse. The result Of the two wars
we have had with the mother country was
not particularly consoing to British pride.
History narrates two events-one OF them
happened on the banks of the York r'ver'
the other on the banks Of the Mississippi,
near New OrIeans-which Englishmen
cannot be expected to read with any great
amount Of satisfaction. But thlrty-sS
years of peace has interviewed since the
peninsular troops were routed on the plains
of ChaImette: and we could mention many
instances in history where nations have
fought each other and then become friends
and allies within a twelve-month. Ordi-
nary causes cannot, therefore, account for
the consistent hostility which England
manifes,s towards the United States when
ever an opportunity offers.
Tha, hostility 10 OF character which
could not be engendered by commercial RI
valry. 1t has in it an element which is not
engendered by commercial reations-an
element which manifested itself before we
had become even the rival Of England on
the high seas. In our days Of weakness
we were sneered at and ridicuIed by her.
and in our time Of strength she has only
substituted defamation and detrac,ion for
sneers and ridcule. Napoleon Bonaparlo
understood the English character, and he
charged the English with selfish egotism
which he said was characteristic of the in
habitants of islands. This idea may serve
10 explain partially but not wholly the ami.
mostly which we have mentioned. But we
care not just now to speak of causes: our
purpose is rather to comment on an exist
ing fact than to explain its origin.
The conduct of England has been so arr
rogant. and she has been so insolent IN her
delamatons Of America, that deep and
widespread feeling Of resentment has been
enkinded from one end of our country to
the olher-a feeling which it would almos!
be impossible TO restrain, if an occasion
should arise which would justify its mani.
festalion in acts. The race OF statesmen
who imbibed their ideas when we were
weak, and who cannot realize the vast pro-
gress we have made in The last thirty
years---the men whose nerves, still under
she control oil former impressions, shrink
and remble ct the iaintes; growl Of the Bril-
tish lion-are now dropping into the grave,
giving place TO new generation of men,
who have always looked upon their coun-
try as great and powerful. It would lie
well for the English people 10 understand
1t. We have the British empire in our
grasp, and it needs but the will TO crush it
into fragments. We have nearly twenty
five millions Of peope-and suck people
the sun has never looked on. Our tonnage
is greater than that of any other nation.
and our ships are superior to any tina, ever
noa,ed on the ocean. We produce all the
great staples, and supply grea, portion Of
Britain with food-the surplus OF our abun'
dance. If we did not fire a gun--if we
simply withheld the cotton crop, and re-
tanned our breadslufIs- would inilict
heavier blow on the British empire than ii
has ever vet received. If war should be
declared between England and America.
that declaration would be the death knell
of the British empire. The time has come
when English statesmen and the leaders OF
English sentiment should lay aside their
arrogance long enough TO look the facts in
the face, and survey the actual condition of
things. If they do not, the British en-
pire will inevitably pay heavy penalty
for their ridiculous egoism and s,ll-ncck.
ed obsllnacy.
BLooMER's ABRoAp,-Two youngsters
of this hybrid genus was lately driving out
in the environ Of one Of our Western cities.
and having occasion TO cross q plank road,
they were Ho,ling biskIy along, when