The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-06-29
speeeGl of RHosa. JAS. EsucEaanan

speech OF Hon. sBas, buchanan.
/ We publish below be Speech Of our Minis
ter at London, Hon. James Buchanan, deliver
ed at the Royal Literary Fund Dinner, Lon
don, On Tuesday, May 2ad. The Lord Bishop
| Of London being in the Chair, in the course of
the evening, proposed the following Toast:
''fhe Literature and Science of the United
States"
Mr. Buchanan being called upon to respond,
did 50, in the following admirable remarks,
which we extract from the London Globe
They are not less pa,rioticly American than
universally philanthropical in sentiment:
Ny Lord, My Lords and Gentiemen-I es-
/ TEEN il a privilege 10 be invited TO respond TO
! this sentiment in favor of The literature and
science OF nay country. The applause with
] which it has been greeted by the present dis
ingushed company proves that il was no un
meaning compliment, bat has proceeded from
/ the heart. am proud OF the advance which
my cOuntrymen have made in literature and
SCIENCE, and an equally proud that this has
been justly appreciated by British audience
I Of such high authority on questions OF litera-
! turr and scirnce, that there can b. no appeal
! from rs decision to any higher tribunal.
/ Ths' time was when the question might have
/ been Justly asked in this country,-Who reads
an American book That time has passed away,
and, Judging by my own intercourse with Eng
/ liSh society, it might with tquaI justice be-
asked, who has not read an American book
/ ] find that everyw here throughout the United
/ Kingdom. the works Of American authors are
now published and circulated These however,
/ bear bat a comparatively small proportion to
! the number and variety ot works oi distinguish
4 ed British authoiS, living ard dead, published
and circulated throughout The United States.
/ IN little more than half ceatury from the
present hour, with the blessing Of God, these
works viii b. read and admired. viii Influence
I the life and the conduct and the destiny of
/ hundred millions OF intelligent Americans be-
tween the tlantic aad Paeiin s,e..aes, eF.4ais-
/ ing the same language with yourselves. What
a bond OF union must this prove to be between
the kindred nations.
! II must not be inferred, that although proud
of appreciation, we estimate your attalnmentS
! in literature and science beyond their proper
value. We freely admit that ours is nothing
more than the early promise of a healthy and
vigorous youth bat we live in the confident
hope that our maturity will more than justify
/ this promise
We have but fairly commenced the task,
bat as we aim at excellence in literature and
Sclencp, we shall never relax our efforts until,
/ if possible, we may attain place in the tenn
pie Of fame on the same prond emrnence with
+ yourselves. eve will trv''-Yes. ''9ge wW
try" This has become motto Of orr country
We have manv reasons for believing that we
shall prove successful Among the principal
Of these is the undoubted fact that literature
and science occupy that exalted position in
/ the opinion Of our counIymen 10 wtich they
are 50 Justly entitled. This is we'll calculated
/ 10 give an impulse to ambition. There is no
class amongst MS who stand higher-no, not
one-than the class of eminent authors. For
the truth OF this assertion, ! think might with
I confidence appeal 10 the experience OF gentle
men now present. Such men are everywhere
received in the United States as public beneiac-
/ tors.
| The republic Of l+tters is a universal repub-
| fic, and embraces within It's limits all civilized
nations Several of its most distinguished lep-
rrsrntatives are now within the sound of nay
voice, and the educated people of all nations
are their constituents and Judges. These true
representatives of the progress Of civilization
NAV fail to receive Justice from their cnntem-
Foraries-they may be- too far in advance of
their own aye to be appreciated; bnt posterity
never fails to do them Justice. Whilst the
generation of politicians, and, with rare excep
tons, even OF statesmen, pass away with the
events with which they have been identified
and are forgotten, such names as those ofShakps
4 peare, and Milton, and Locke, and Newton,
4 flourish in immortal youth, and their works will
constitute the improvement and delight Of all
generations.
On the other side Of the Atlantic, such
names, not TO specify those of living authors,
are as familiar as household words, not only
among the learned, but among The masses OF
the people. These by the blessing of heaven,
have generally received common school edu-
cation, aud are able 10 read and to relish the
standard works of your best authors.
delight in the reflection and the hope that
the literary and scientific men Of Great Brit
ain and the United States will constitute
/ perpetual bond of peace and friendship between
The people of the two countries. Your men
Of this class belong to us, as our men OF the
same class belong to you. We have each a
common property in both. They cannot fail
TO exercise mutual and most happy influence
ton the two nations. 1t has been the misfortune
of both, that almost ever since the American
revolution, there has been succession OF dis
fturbing questions between the two governments.
The irritation arising from these can always be
allayed. and the unhappy consequences may,
| trust, always be averted by the production