The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-04-22
ABUSE OF ENGLAND.


Dignity, force and truth, characterize the
subjoined passage of the reply of Senator
Butler, Of South Carolina, to the speech of
Senator Douglas of Illinois, in the U. s. Sem
ate, during the consideration Of Mr.. Clayton's
resolutions concerning South American affairs.
It is much easier to abuse England, than to
rival her-to point out her faults, than to do
justice to her eminent merits. For the former
office, Mr.. Douglas has certain sort Of talent
that fits him well-the duties of the latter are
more congenial to Mr.. Butler, and he per-
forms them effectively. We take great pleas
ure in making and publishing this extract
from his speech on the occasion referred to-
"The gentleman has spoken on other top.
les with gushing exuberance we'll calculated
to attract applause; but fear also well calcu-
lated to excite prejudice and exasperatc ma
tional resentments. In speaking of the
growth of his own country, he had much to
Justify him in his highly fattcring picture of
her prosperity. But when with taunting dis
paragcmcnt he spoke Of the decrepitude Of
England and the other nations of Europe, he
spoke in way we'll calculated to wound ma
tional sensiblity: and especially so, when |
cannot regard his opinions just. He said that
decrepitude had come upon them in their de-
cline and old age. They were the mere
mouldering columns of IN edif!ce that had
been; and US such their laws and policy could
no longer shed light on the path Of the young
and vigorous people that, with Herculean
strength, could throw off the shackles of
European instruction. In this judgment,
tempered with SO much asperty, am certain
that he will find few that are impartial to
concur with him. England may become our
rival; but in her present strength and vigor OF
manhood, she cannot but command respect
and consideration from all the other nations
of the earth. We may claim to be her peer,
but we nevertheless are her debtor.
Sir, when we despise England, we must
despise the very soil in which grew the tree
from whose fruits we have been fed; we must
despise Hampden, and Sidney, and Chatham,
and Shakespeare, and Burke. Will the Sena.
tor tell me that am to despise them, or to
hate England more than any other nation
II he does, differ from him. do not say
that have any especial love for my nation.
1t is not word properly applicable to other
nations. We love our own country-a SEN
timent Of patriotism inspires that feeling
But as to other nations, we have feelings and
opinions of different kinds. For some we
have much more respect and regard than for
others. But, sir, say here, in my place, if
the word love be word Of preference, avow
it openly, that we have more sympathy with
and are under deeper obligations to Great
Britain than to any other nation on earth.
do not hesitate to say, in the sense | have
spoken that love her more than any other
foreign nation on earth. England, in our
origin, law, literature, and free institutions, is
our mother. In vernacular langage, she is
our mother country. The very roots Of our
institutions run into her soil.
From what country do we derive the max
inns, the spirit, the institutions, the safeguards
of our liberty? Have not the streams Of her
literature been poured out upon us! Have
we not all drank of them with delight and
improvement! From what country do We
get Magma Charta, trial by jury, the common
law, with its hardy morality, inculcating all
that has given liberty, security! Sir, will the
gentleman answer! am willing, in all the
arts of peace, in commerce, in literature, in
science, in morals, to become the rival of
England. But can see no inducenent, con-
sulting national policy, to assume towards
her the position Of hostile adversary. Re-
marks which have been made during this dis
cussion are we'll calculated to SOW the seeds
of jealousy and hatred between the two
countries-that is, unless there shall be good
sense to have true understanding of them
when the national interest shall demand it;
and wish the occasion 10 speak for itself.
I would not shrink from collision or war
with Great Britain sooner than any other
nation. There is not much patriotism, how
ever, in mere abuse of her.