Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-12

SPEECH OF HON. JAMES BUCHANAN
At the Royal Literary French dinner, whic
occurred on the 22d instant The Lord Bishi
of Oxford gave the following toast:
"The literature and science of the Unite
| States, and the American Minister, Mr.. Bu
| chanan.''
| Mr.. Buchanan responded as follows:
1 "MY LORD, MY LORDS, AND GENTLEMEN: 1 es
TEEN it privilege to be invited to respond to thi
sentiment in favor of the literature and science
| my country. The applause with which it ha
been greeted by the present distinguished com
| pany proves that il is no unmeaning compliment
but has proceeded from the heart. ] am proud o
the advance which my countrymen have made II
literature and science, and am equally proud tina
this has been justly appreciated by British
audience of such high authority questions o
liteTtp and science that there can be no appea
from , decision to any higher tribunal.
"The time was when the question might hav.
been Justly asked in this country, who reads al
American book' That time has passed away
and, judging by my own intercourse with English
society, It might with equal justice be asked, who
has not read an American book? | find that ev.
erywhere throughout the United Kingdom tbs
works of American authors now published
and circulated. These, however, bear but com
paratively small proportion to the number and
variety of the works Of distinguished British au-
thors, living and dead, published and circulated
throughout the United States In little more
than half century from the present hour, with
the blessing of God, these works will be read
and admired, will influence the life and the con-
duct and the destiny of hundred millions of in
telligent Americans between the Atlantic and Pa
cfc oceans, speaking the same language with
yourselves. What bond of union must this
prove to be between the kindred nations
:" II must not be inferred that, although proud
OF your appreciation, we estimate our Attachments
in literature and science heynnd their proper vol
ue We freely admit that ours is nothing more
than the early promise of healthy and vigorous
youth but we live in the confident hope that our
maturity will more than Justify this promise.
We have but fairly commenced the task |; but
rs we aim at excellence in literature and science,
we shall never relax our efforts until if possible,
we attain place in the temple of fame on the
same proud eminence with your1lves. We
VIII try yes, sue ,oiH try. This has become
motto OF our country.
"We have many 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 countrymen to which they justly
entitled. This is we'll calculated to give an inn
pulse to ambition. There is class amongst Us
who stand higher-no not one-than the class of
eminent authors. For the truth of this assertion,
| think | might with confidence appeal to the
experience of gentlemen now present Such men
are everywhere received in the United States as
public benefactors.
"The republic of letters is universal republic,
and embraces within its limits all civilized nations.
Several of its most distinguished representatives
now within the sound Of my voice, and the
educated people of all nations are their consti-
tuents and judges These true representatives of
the progress of civilization may fail to receive
tice from hair ma he
too far in advance of their own age to be appre-
ciated-but posterty never fails to do them justice.
Whilst the generations Of politicians, and, with
rare exceptions, even of statesmen, pass away
with the events with which they have been iden-
tilted and forgotten, such names those of
Shakespeare, and Milton, and Locke, and Newton,
flourish in immortal youth, and their wsrks will
constitute the improvement and delight of all
generations.
son the other side Of the Atlantic such names,
not to srAcify those Of living authors, are as
familiar as household words, not only among the
learned, but among the of the people.
These, by the blessing of Heaven, have generally
received a common-school education, and are able
to read and relish the standard works of your
best authors.
g delight in the reflection and the hope that
the literary and scientific men of Great Britain
and the United States will constitute perpetual
bond of peace and friendship between the people
OF the two countries Your men OF this class be-
long 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 the two nations 1t
has been the misfortunes of both that almost ever
since the period of the American revolution,
there has been a succession Of disturbing and
dangerous questions between the two govern
ments. The irritation arising from these al
ways be allayed, and their unhappy consequences
may, ! trust, be always averted by the produc-
tons and common sympathy of the men at the
head of the republic of letters. May the time
never arrive when these men shall be arrayed
against each other! The consequences might
then be disastrous.
"Before resuming my seat, must, in order to
crafty my own feelings, express an unqualified
appreciation of the Literary Fund Society and its
NEST praiseworthy objects. 1t does not confnc
the relief which il bestows to British authors
alone, but, in spirit Of genuine lberalty, ex-
tends its benefits TO those of other nations.
Genius, as has been Justly observed, is always
sensitve and, therefore, the bounty of the society
is distributed in the most secret and delicate
manner, so that the feelings of those who receive
il are spared fnom public observation. May this
society be always prosperous, and may il always
be amply provided with the means Of extending
its blessings and its benefits TO class Of men to
whom mankind are so grealy indebted"
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