The daily union., 1852-11-09
The United states and the British Press
Cuba and the Fugitive Slave Law.

The United states and the British Press
Cuba and the Fugitive-Slaye Law.
The time is still recent when the British press
make this country the subject of perpetual rd-
cule and inveclive. Its laws, literature, government,
and social customs assaed with every species OF
offensive weapon, from the vulgar yituperaion of a
Trollope 10 the slashng satire and scornu raery OF
Sidney Smith. The mention of America was the signal
of sneer or The infalbe provocative of con,empuous
laugh for suggested nought but Yankee clownishness
negro slavery, "hasy" dlnners and of reputation
book upon America the last resort of the starving
scrbbler, and to ''show up" the Yankees was the
readest and surest pathway to fame and fortune open
the aspiring genius OF British authorship.
II is instructive TO contrast the present tone of the
British press in respect TO this country with the sys
emalc and abuse which characterized its earlier
illustrations OF American government and society. If
this nation be not the object of the unqualified
eulogy OF British writers, it certainly commands their
affected respect If they censure, it is not with contempt
but with The points which they select for at.
tack longer the ridiculous displays of national
weakness, bat the manifestations OF national growth and
power Their anxious anlicipations of the failure OF
our system of government have been succeeded by a
cordial admiration of It's beautiful and triumphant ope.
ration The rapid strides which the United States have
made in the march Of emprehe unprecedented increase
of their populationhe stability Of their nsulionslhe
union OF the utmost liberty OF action, thought and worship,
with the utmost respect for public order and public JUS.
ucethe intense activity and The en'erprsng energy OF the
national characer-the wonderful development, of the
vast OF the country The splendid promise OF it's
dawnng ieraturets achievements in science and in art,
and The usre of its arms-furnsh the British press with
topics for constant discussion and speculation. Ii the
disposition TO be just predominaies national bgoty,
the progress and glory of America is the object OF enihu
sasc admiration if British prejudces dictate the article,
American worth is d.paraged and deprecated by snang
criticism and cnvious detraclon But, whether for
mendaon or censure, the British press make this
Try the subject Of anxious observation and ncessant dis
cussion; and whether they prsise blame, they mani
fest an unmisakable consideration and respect for the
opinion and the prowess OF the American people.
In connexion with the United States topics of dis
cusson at present engross the attention of the British
press-the fugitive slave law and the annexation Of Cuba
British politicians see the necessity which, ressess
law Of Nature, draws the island Of Cuba 10 the embrace
OF the United States Nor they insensble 10 that
tendency Of events which ioesbadows The day when the
mensurate with the American continent The prospective
grandeur Of the American nation recently portrayed
by the London Times in an article conspicuous for its
comprehensive reach OF thought as for its feryld elo-
quence The contemplation of The brilliant picture trans
ported the writer into the regions OF pure rhapsody and
he surrendered himself TO specuations no, unworthy the
believer in the manifest destiny OF the United
States Judging from the tone OF the British press IT
is absurd to affect an apprehension that the Brit
sb government would ntepose to thwart the purposes
OF the United States should policy dictate the
ultimate acquisition OF Cuba. We speak now Of the
event ITSELF and not Of the mode of its accomplishment
for il cannot be imagined that th, country will ever lose
its respect either for the law Of nations, the spualions
OF treaty, or the requirements OF public justice. The
great party to whom the people have just ntrused the
honor and the interests of the country will not be
socitous 10 promote The than to preserve the other
in unarnished purity. portion OF the British press,
representing The liberal sentiment OF the country reoces
at every advance step American proaress-at each
cessye extension of republican government The party
of which this portion of the British pres, the repre-.
sentative is rapidly increasing its influence in the
ellis Of the British empire. II this party that
PEELED the repeal OF the laws reform in the paa-
mentary representation and Catholic emancipation. How
ever hostile old tory bgoy might be 10 the expansion of
American territory and the increase of American power
this young and vigorous party would efeciually defeat
any attempt to clip the wings OF the American eagle.
/ or the discussions of the British press in relation 10
the ugtve-save law, and the general subject of slavery
we cannot speak with much satisfaction. The pubi-
cation in Great Britain of fictitious representation OF
American slavery, by writer who knows about much
Of the subject Of the social system OF the has inn
parted fresh impulse TO Exeter Hall philanthropy The
hyperbolical horrors and ridiculous "Roorbacks" OF
/" Uncle Tom literature, being taken for Gospel truth
and sober realities by the creduous fanatics of Exeter
!, Hall, have kinded fame of excitement in Great
Britain against American slavery and the fugitive
slave law The practical grievances OF oppressed Irish
men and The starving operatives in English factories
are nothing in comparison with the imaginary soasrings
of the American slave. weIlfed well clad, and content
ed though he be and by its vehement denunciaona