Washington sentinel., 1854-04-23


not imagined that my own humble instrumen-
tality might contribute in some small degree to
remove existing causes of dissension between
the two countries, and to confirm and perpet-
uate their mutual friendship, should not have
enjoyed the privilege Of addressing you this day
as the minister of my country (Cheers) It
is my most earnest desire that the two nations,
kindred as they are in point of blood, should be
equally kindred in each other affections. And
why should they notbe? Wehave many free prin-
ciples in common, which it would be TOO tedious
to enumerate we speak the same language we
read the same books and we both enjoy free
press, without which liberty in any country
would soon become an empty name. We claim
your old authors to be our property as much
as yours, and, thank God, our people are able
to read and appreciate them. Every child born
in most Of our States has the same right to re-
ceive good and useful common-school educa-
ton as to breathe his native air, or to drink
from his native fountains. Why, then, should
any jealousy .exist between us? There have
never been two nations on the face of the earth
whose material interests are so closely identi-
fed. (Hear.) Commercially speaking, the pro-
gress of the United States has proved nearly as
beneficial to Great Britain as to ourselves The
extension of our possessions on the continent
of America, from the purchase of Louisiana to
the present moment-an extension which has
been accomplished, whatever may be said to-
the contrary, upon pure principles of honor and
justice--has in the very same degree extended
British commerce and manufactures.
Though not blessed with poetic imagina-
ton, look forward with confident hope to the
day when the English language, which is the
language Of Christian, civil, and political free
dom, will be the language Of the larger portion
of the habitable globe. No people speaking
this language can ever become the willing in
struments of despotic power These great re.
suits, in the destiny of the future, are to be
peaceably accomplished by the energy, enter
prise, and indomitable perseverance OF the Bri.
tish and American races. / do not connne
myself to the Anglo-Saxon race alone, because
large, respectable, and useful portion of the
population of my country have sprung from the
Irish, the German, and other European stocks.
am myself whatever may be my merits or
my faults, the son Of native-born Irishman,
and / am proud of my descent With your in.
dulgent patience, shall advert to one other
topic before take my seat. | cannot suffer
this occasion to pass, without expressing my
qualification with her majesty's wise and liberal
declaration in favor Of neutral commercial
rights, during the existing war. 1t was worthy
of the civilization of the nineteenth century,
and worthy of the best constitutional sovereign
who has ever sat upon the proud and powerful
throne of Great Britain. The time will arrive
when war against private property upon the
ocean will be entirely prescribed by all civil.
lied nations, as it has already been upon the
land, and when the gallant commanders of the
navies of the world will esteem it as great a
disgrace to rob peaceful merchant vessel
upon the seas as the general of an army would
now do to plumber the private house Of an un'
offending citizen. Loud cheers.