Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-08-29
Englishmeni Gu American Affairs,


Englishmen Gu American Affairs.
We have lately read an article in the
Westminster Review, entitled the "Mani-
fest Destiny of the American Union,' in
which, we are told, that the Asnerican peo
pie are in the midst of a revolution, and
that The fate of the Union is sealed. The
writer. reminds us that we had already
fought half through the revolution of 1776,
before we knew that there was any such
thing thought Of, and upon the strength Of
this example, he takes it for granted; that
the present revolution is almost finished.
The ideas. held BY an Englisamaa con-
corning our history, and the general state of
our affairs, are always such as to confuse,
and astonish the native, We well recollect
how puzzled We We're when in our younger
days, we read in that famous chapter of AL
ison, which treats Of America, about some
disunion prank, cut by the states Of Massa,
chusetts and New England. And in the
same chapter, it may excite our admiration
to find, that although the only -oad to hon.
or in America, is riches, yes our citizens,
like the Jews Of Ivanhee, and for the same
reason, are compelled to keep all the sour
ces of their wealth within doors or see their
property torn to pieces by an envious mob.
Our author is just as happy in all his no.
tons, according to him, the only object of
the Democratic party is to establish slavery.
Yet tile organization Of the Know Nothing
party was g. southern move. No American
could reconcile these statements We may,
it is true, find them. both supported, but by
different persons, and any one but an En-
glishman, would have seen that they were
utterly opposite. We will notice only 8
few of his assertions, such as the following
ITO the Abolitionists, proper, belongs
the honor Of all the ameliorations in the
condition Of the slaves Of the South, and the
free blaais of the North for the last quarter
Of century. We may agree with part Of
this statement, but not, perhaps, exactly as
the writer intended it." To the Abolition
lists, proper belongs The honor of all the
changes Of opinion, with respect to slavery,
which have taken place in the South -
Those changes are great. The man who
twenty years ago, would have acknowledge
cd that slavery was necessary eyil, will
now boldly declare that it is necessary
blessing. To the AbohtiaHists, proper,
belongs the responsibility for the fact, that
slavery is so firmly rooted in Maryland and
Virginia, and therefore, We agree with the
Review, that to them, belongs also, the hon
or of all the ameliorations in the condition
of the slaves Of the South for the last quar-
ter ola century.
As We know but little Of the former mis-
crics, particularly little of the latter ameli-
orations in the condition of the free blacks
of the North, we Will pass the other part
Of his statement by unchalleuged. We
have not space for disputing all the asser-
tons of this wonderful writer, but will close
with the remark that We certainly do not
envy the citizens of Massachusetts the
praise with which he daubs them, when
speaking Of the Burns transaction 1t has
been our wish to believe that there is
stro2g reverence of law still residing in the
hearts Of the citizens Of that State, and that
-
from forciby rcscpips the fug;tsyes. But
different is the opinion Of she Westminster
Review. We find there. that the citizens
were supported by their laws which guar
anteed the liberty Of Burns.
Wells it for the people of New England
that the writer proved his ignorance and his
inability to draw just conclusions before he
essayed mis- hand in praising them