The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-28

LORD JOHN RUSSELL ON AMERICAN AFFAlRs-
The following extracts are from the pen of this
British statesman from his last published work,
the Memorials and Correspondence of Charles
James Fox:
"Ihe Declaration of Independence This de-
claration was the cry of an infant State Ii ha
since grown to manhood; il has now a giants
strength.
'sWheiher it would have been possible to main
tain the colonies in subsection to the crown Of
England for much longer period may well be
doubted. Trade regulated at Westminster could
hardly be consistent with wealth and freedom at
New York. Sources OF dispute might have arisen
even if the plan of Lord Rockingham, or that of
Lord Chatham, had been fully adopted. But il
was the peculiar infelicity of George Ill and Lord
North that they turned TO gall all those feelings
of flal piety which had so long filled the breasts
of the Americans
"The Declaration of Independence has one sin.
gular defectin it, but which only proves the lin
gering affection which the Americans still retain
for the mother country.
CAS- DIR. Jefferson originally drew the Declara-
ton OF independence, be charged the acts of which
the Americans complained in the first place to the
King, but secondly to the people of Great Britain
Thus, he said of them, that when occasions have
| been given them, by the regular course of their
| laws, OF removing from their councils the disturb
ers OF our harmony, they have, by their free cleo
tion re established them in power Then, again
! he proposed to say; 'These facts lave given the
last stab to agonizing affection, and manly spirit
bids US to forever these unfeeling breh-
| rem. We must endeavor to forget our former love
| for them, and hold them, as we hold the rest of
| mankind-enemies in war, in peace friends. We
might have been a free and great people toge-
ther; but communication of grandeur and of
freedom, 1t seems, is below their dignity. Be 20
so, since they aciH haze 1T. The road to happiness
and glory is open to US, too We will tread It apart
from them,' &c.
s'These expressions, though still in the tone of
wounded affection, rather than of willing enmity.
were too hostile TO the English people TO please the
representatives of America The pusiilanimous
idea that we had friends in England worth keep
ing terms WITH says Mr.. Jefferson, still haunted
the minds of many More probably the fond re-
gard long entertained for the mother country still
vibrated in the hearts of most of those who now
threw off her authority.
'Be that as II may, the omission of these passs
warped the truth of this memorable declaration
George III. appears in II as single and despotc
tyrant, as Philip II. must have appeared to the
people of the Netherlands. The fact was that the
sovereign and his people were alike prejudiced,
angry, and wlful.'
Here is a passing tribute to Washing ton:
''The success of America was owing next TO the
errors of her adversaries to the conduct and char
acter ofGeneral Washington In him were united
the purity of the most disinterested patriotism
with all the energy of the most stirring ambition;
the utmost reluctance to engage in the contest,
with the hrmest will never TO abandon it when be-
gum the most intrepid devotion of his life and his
fame in hazardous attacks, with the calmest iedg-
ment in all matters political and military The
dlssenslons OF Congress, the envy of rivals. the
apathy OF his troops, the caumnies of his enemies
neither excited him to rashness nor stopped him
in his career.''