The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-24
UNCLE TOM ABROAD.

"Uncle Tom has done w world of mis-
chief abroad" writes the foreign correspond
ent of some Hunker journal, and straightway
our injured patriots quote tho remark rs con-
elusive proof of the pernicious character and
consequences of the book. We do not accept
such testimony, because there is nothing in the
work itself calculated TO do harm to american
character or institutions, and because we can
see no Indications in any quarter that our
country has fallen in the estimation of the peo-
pie of the Old World.
Southern Slavery, a local and exceptional
system, is the subject of Mrs. Stoves volume
II is not represented as National institution,
but as existing under State authority, and only
in portion of the Union. The institutions of
the country are nowhere assailed, nor can any
inference to their discredit be drawn from the
work
Intelligent foreigners by this time have Il toll
erably clear idea of the relative powers of our
Federal Government and State Governments
they know that the former can exercise only
delegated powers, and that the power to-abolish
Slavery in tho States is not among these They
know that, while two and half millions of col
ored people are held in one section of the Union
in degrading bondage, more than twenty mil
lions of white citizens are enjoying the rich
benefits Of such free institutions as exist no.
where else on the face of the earth. They
know that if some of the States of this Union
exhibit in its worst form the principle of Des-
potism, the United States, as a whole, exhibit
in it's best form the principle Of Democracy
and they will find nothing in Mrs. Stoves book
to discourage the confident hope that the De-
mocracy of the whole will triumph at last
over the Despotism of part
Nor can we see indications in any quarter
that the book has actually injured us in the
judgment of mankind. 1t has arraigned Sla-
very at the bar of the world, and wildly ex-
posed to its gaze and adherence the malig
nant principle and hateful working Of Despot-
ism, under every form. 1t is deadly blow at
Tyranny, whether in tho guse of political or
personal Slavery, the oppression of the South
ern Shareholder, or that Of the European Des-
pot; everywhere it must quicken and exalt the
popular sentiment in favor of Human Rights
and wherever this sentiment is active, there
will prevail deep sympathy with our free
institutions. AT no time has the press of Eng
land and Europe spoken with moro respect Of
this country, with moro admiration of its
growth and power, than since the. publication
| of Uncle Toms Cabin-a fact which clearly
shows that the book has done no harm to
! American character or institutions, whatever
damage il may have inflicted upon tho cause
of Despotism.
Under one aspect especially, has it benefited
the nation for certainly il is something to the
credit Of our National Literature, that it has
produced the book Of the age-a work which
has gone through more editions and transla-
tons, been more widely circulated and has
created more sensation and discussion than
any work issued during the present centu-
ry. II il has covered Southern Slavery with
odium, it has established beyond all question
the power of American genius
Observe the tone of the English Reviews.
In oil of them this remarkable work has been
made the subject of elaborate criticism, and
they have seized the occasion to bring their
influence to bear against Slavery but there