The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-01-01

NIT their resolution or their address, or whatever
they please to call it, to their transatlantic sisters,
that it will be met either by stern rebuke or the
as great an Adherence Of slavery as any one. but
we cannot forget how short a time i is since
England was herself foremost in this human
traffic. Nor can we forget that it is chiefly
encouraged BY the British nation now. We
receive the stolen goods The Brights and
Cobdens Of the present day were actual
slave-owners but a few years ago. They are in
direct slave owners now. and what they are as
white task-masters let Oastler and Ferrand tell
the indignant generation that is sprnging up, in
heritors Of their evil deeds. For the age of hum
bug must cease, or the reign Of England must be
over. Let these silly danes, from her Grace of
Sutherland down to Mrs Barry Cornwall Proctor,
be taught these things. Here let US observe that
this is not the voice of English women any more
than dramatised Uncle Toms Cabin is the voice of
English men. And before any body of British
matrons maids shall dare to send over their hol
maids and matrons of the United States, we would
pray for an inquiry into their individual lives
and conduct, to see whether they are fit per-
sons to communicate any expression of national
feeling-granting for moment that it is ma
tional feeling, and not spurious effort at noto-
riety the part of few idle aristocrats and
meddling bluc-stockings, leavened with score
of Mrs Nicklebys, scarcely to be held respon-
sibic for their folly. Before they thus stand
spicuously forward as phi,anthropists, we should
like to know whether, as wives and mothers and
daughters, they have no blot on their character,
no stain their conduct. Are they all without
reproach in their homes? Are they ali respected
and beloved by their servants their tenants, their
tradesmen, and their friends? Have they individ-
ually shown piety and good will? Are they true
| sisters of charity and mercy? Are none of them
scandal mongers and mischief makers, odious at
once both in the domestic circle and the social
throng? Ifthis be all we'll established in their
favor, then they have right to speak publicly
| in better cause. Yet, again, why do not these
women. ifthey must be busy, contribute, like the
Roman Of old, to the defences of their country:
The day may come when they shall even sorrow
not to have done this!
| To return to Uncle Toms Cabin, it is true that
we derive it from American woman. 70 her
own people she is accountable, let not us be her
sponsors. What picture might be drawn Of
England for Americans to hail with rapture, read
| dramatise, weep and memorabilia upon
were Sloane given as the type of the British bar.
or the man who roasted live cat the other day in
| the presence of his wife and a friend, as fair
sample of the middle classes. Thus Cannon, the
sweep, might represent the feeling of the lower
classes; Mr.. Olveira the dignity of the House OF
| Commons; Mr.. Prynne should be sample of our
church; Lord Frankfort of the nobility In this
manner, what truthful, pleasant novel might be
composed to present an English parallel to the SO.
cial phenomena exhibited in such attractive, be-
cause revolving, details, in that most successful
and heart-rending publication, Uncle Toms Cabin