American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-19
MR.. TUPPER AND THE PHILADELPHIA
LEDGER.

We have casually noticed the attack of the
Ledger upon this gentleman, and, not wishing
to see him wholly demolished, again venture q
few words in his defence.
Mr.. Tupperi is an accomplished, iberal-minded
Englshman, born and educated in monarchy,
and having, very naturally, strong predictions
in favor of the religion and government of his
native land Bred, not /" in profound ignorance
Of our country, and among circles in which
questions are sometimes raised about the COM
plexion and language of the Americans" as has
been facetiously said by the above-named jour
nal but in the society of enlightened men, who
view with pleasure the advancement of the
world in knowledge and freedom,--his attention
is naturally attracted to our country, progress
ing, as it has been, in all that can elevate hui
mainly. Daily he hears most wonderful &C
counts Of the almost miraculous development of
our nation, and is seized with strong desire to
visit it, and compare it with his own much
loved land. He comes predisposed to approve
and admire. He lands upon our shores, and,
without noise or display, proceeds to traverse
the country But he does not go in peace.
From all quarters the self-appointed censors of
the land open upon him with denunciations
loud and deep, and the people are told that he
is second Dickens, come to spy out our faults
and misrepresent our virtues. His declarations
are disregarded. He AYERS that he does not in
tend to write book about u.s. "It is false"
they say; call other Engishmen, who have
Travelled in this country, have written against
us; Upper is an English traveller, and there
fore he intends to write against us J" BY this
clear, syllogistic argument, they convince them
selves that he is nothing but a malignant Eng
fish spy; and as q spy they treat him. For
getting that, in America, freedom of speech is
permitted to every one, they condemn him to
perpetual silence He may look on, but not
speak and as soon as he dares to express o
candid opinion in regard to us, and TO compare
our institutions with what he esteems the safer
ones of his own country, he is pounced upor
and straightway devoured
Now, of this we by no means approve. Mr.
Topper has, no doubt, as other men have, strong
prejudices, and many wrong ones; but should
we therefore conclude that he is an enemy t
our country, q slanderer of our institutions
and all the other terrible things which some
would have us think him? Years ago they
were all overlooking with love for the English
traveller, until Dickens paid them off with his
american Notes" Since then they have beer
on the other extreme, and an Englishman car
scarce show his face among us, without being
held up to the people as the embodiment o
transatlantic malignity.
As to Mr.. Tupper's being "sacred to ridicul'
his whole life long" because he takes the liberty
Of depressing, to those who ask him, his opinion
ofus and our form of Government, we think the
idea absurd. How, we ask, shall foreigners be
have when they come among usi Shall they
openly declare themselves our enemies, and
abuse us for every thing that is despicable and
foolishY Shall they, on the other hand, laud