The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-05
TIE UNITED STATES AND ENGLAND.
SPEECH OF LORD NAPIER AT IND 1ItLEGHlAPH
BANQUET, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 2, 1883

MR. Nsron AA1 GK fIr,uS When received her
Maesys orders to proceed to the United States, fiat
tered myself that entered upon my duties at al ausp
oos time, and cherished hope that the period Of my
residence might be concdent with that solid and heaIt
reconciliation OF respective countries which the ten
dences Of the tansparently indicated to be at
hand Nor have been disappointed The course OF
political affairs since my arrival has indeed exhibited
asperes which ii impossible to foresee, and
which could not be regarded without but, gen
uemen, now hall, In the event which are met to
celebrate, glorious compensation for past ansietes and
an important security against future dangers. To the
contemporary and spectator OF this great monument in
human progress is alone cause of honor and exultaon
The triumph N which your distinguished guests have
high share does not only confer them the celebrity
and affection which mankind bestows their purest
benefactors such triumph gives to the protecting gov
errments claim to public gratitude and historic CON-
mendation il adons and djgndes the nations and the
time in Which 1t is wroight 1t impars to thousands the
generous contagon of enterprise it teaches the unve
sal lesson OF faith patience and perseverance in
fuses into men souls of conscious worth, and
pours ALL however humble and remote, the glow OF
reflected fame question whether any single achieve
iient has ur'ed featdfes of tettst and u
ity all the elements of adventure, difficulty and hazard
have been here assembled which could arrest the magna
ton and virtue has been wanting which could satisfy
the Judgment and captvate the heart Long will those
scenes remain dear TO the popular memory With
what admiration do we contemplate the cheerful
enthusiasm OF Field, inspiring shareholders and I'D
isiraltes With kindred zeal, unfsscotaSed by the
hostility Of nature and the powers of science divning
success where others denounced defeat and carrying off
the Ialm before iIicredulous though symipatizug
world! Cheers. What encounter on the sea cah COM
pare with that last meeting of the confederate ships
when the knot knit which shall be rent
der How anxiously do we follow the Gorgon on her
constant course and watch the Niagara threading the
icebergs and traversng the gloom NJ her consorts
helpful track. We trenblc for the oyerbrdcned Aga
iemnon still tormented by the gale. We blend OUT as
pratons with the worther prayers Of Hudson when he
kneels like Columbus the shore, and juvokes the D
vine ptSteetioii OH lie aGcbtplished WORK Iohd ap-
panse. Nor is the moral aspect Of this great action
marfcd by any infrnty Here there is nothing to
obliterate nothing to deplore. The conduct of the
agents ,esenipfes the PURPOSES Of the deed With manly
emulation but nvioate concord they cast forth upon he
waters the Instrument and the symbol Of future har
mony [Cheers. This is not the place to demonstrate
the usefulness Of teesah communication in the prac
tioe Of government and commerce, and its numerous
Consultations IN matters OF pflvate affection conent
myself with recognising its value in International trains
tctiQns Something may be detracted from the functions
af diplomacy, But iueh Will Undoubtedly lie eaied for
the peace of nations. by this the highest nel
gence and authority either side will be brought into
ibmediaIe biaet and whatever etrots belong to the
employment of subordinate and delegated agenties may
be prevented or promptly corrected. BY this means
many of the evils incidental to uncertainty and delay
may be cancelled offences may be instantly disavowed,
omissions may be remedied, misapprehensions may
be explained, and in matters of unavoidable
troversy may DO spared the exaspeating effects
OF discussions proceeding imperfect knowledge Of
facts and motives In addition to these specific safe
snards y may bc hoped chat the mere habit OF rapid
anu intimate intercourse VIII greatly cohuuce 10 ue
prevention OF misunderstanding. ON the one hand
STANDS England the most opnent and vigorous OF Inon
arches IN whose scant but incompatible SOIL lie com
pacted the materials OF boundless industry on the
oter the republic OF the United States founded oy thc
same race fired by the same ambition, whose increase
deies comparison, and whose dcstinies will battle pre-
dction Itself lCliecrs We cannot doubt that these
facrna communities are fated to ENJOY an Immense eS
pansion OF mutual life the instant interchange OF opn-
ioh intelligence, ana comiotles VIII become condtoh
almost lnseparable from existence and Whatever slim
ulates this development Viii oppose powerful obstacle
10 'he rupture OF pathc relations no man ot common
liheray and penetration VIII question the position ana
certain merits or discovery which has connected Eng
land with America and America with tho whole cvilet
Worid besides would NOT darkeh Inc egtmate saus-
acton OF the present moment by utterng reluctant or
sieptlcal estimate OF our new faculty Yet even IN inns
our o careless ana conyval felcitatlo We snail 40
well TO remember that the magnetic telegraph forms no
exception to the category OF inventions which, however
apt and willing to be the vehicles Of benevolent designs
are also the unrcssung Tools o. every ohnd OF mteh
pefae impulse IN our nature Inc fotarles OF qaer
NOUS phosoPhy specousy assert the unequal march OF
ihofalty ana nina ana even poet mas aiiIineu III
iorehodng ycrse THAT an te tram OF arts whlch nave re-
hccd the matefal elements 70 DC the Yasss OF oui
Heal not passion or a paug
a Eutaiicd on human hearts, = ,fysvaar,,..f7
1t belongs to our respective countries and to the pres
ent ane to confound that speculation which would divide
Knowledge from virtue and inoniry from Improvement
be labor will not be light nor the eventual victory
everywhere apparent vet there is one province of affairs
In which the task would be easy and the triumph within
our grasp It depcns on ,s on our will on our choice
TO carry into perpetual effect the sentiment which the
t,c ,;tb ;s tooxt 4 ~ AZ