Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-17
An Unprejudiced Englishman Abroad
T. r. Wilkinson, BGnler, in Manchester Clty
NefCS

I. Il. Wilkinson BGnkeT, IN Manchester Ctty
NetCs
The great fact which was ever present
to my mind, and which was brought
home to me in a thousand ways, from
the morning stepped upon the quay by
the Hudson river and was accosted by
custom house officer, to the day / en-
barked on my return home, was the
American people. There, separated from
us only by the ocean, are fifty millions
of people, speaking our language, work
ing hard late and early, prospecting and
happy, self-governed and strong. I'm
consoled by the presence of a State
church, and yet possessing more places
of worship per head of popula-
ton than elsewhere; unprotected
by great costly standing
army or navy, and yet secure; and even
destitute of an aristocracy with heredi-
tary privileges and power, yet uncon-
scious of their poverty. To travel in
the United States is to witness the full
meaning of the civilization of the nine
teenth century, untrammelled by preiu-
dice or precedent. Do not let this be
misconstrued into speaking in a strain
derogatory of my own country. 1t is
uOt ~ 1AICAOCO, III all SQlnCAC4LlI du-
tiquated, and unequal to the task Of di-
vesting myself of what may be called
prejudice, to still believe that the best
outcome of civilization is yet to be found
among English gentlefolk, where culture
has gone hand in hand with breed. And
| have an instructive repugnance to
nickel and veneer Of all kinds.
Lord Beaconsfeld in his recent produc
ton, "Endymion," has gone out of his
way to use a double-shotted sneer He
makes one of his high.born characters
suggest the superstition that society in
America is very like society in Manches
ter. And yet these American people,
like the working and middle classes of
England, have done great things not
withstanding much opposition from the
patrician class. To my mind one of the
sublimest episodes in the history of ma
tions was seen after the suppression of
the Southern shareholders, revolt against
the United States, when a vast and
excited army, flushed with victory,
was rapidly dlsbanded and its SOL
diers returned to their peaceful
avocations as citizens. Nor was
the example of the United States
Government less striking for its magnan.
unity when they forgave and set free
the leading rebels, who had caused the
expenditure of an unparalleled amount
of blood and treasure. To their honor,
also, be it remembered that they were
willing to submit important claims to
arbitration with respect to the pirate ship
Alabama, built and launched in one of
our chief ports, and which thence sailed
forth on the high seas to burn and
destroy the property of friendly nation.
These were two examples which will not
be without effect in future history.
The people of the United States are
the most instructed people in the world,
and among the most law-abiding. The
school house of New England was not
planted in vain, and / hope it will be
jealousy guarded from priestly interfer-
ence to all future time. There was sown
the little seed which terminated and
grew into the tree of liberty, and the
defense of which has lifted the United
States to foremost place in the nations
of the earth. They are a nation of
workers. Time will bring leisure when
art will grow upon American soil.
There is even now no English poet who
is more read and whose combination of
mind and feeling has deeper hold on
the affections of the multitude than
Longfellow; and for his CHEEKY, delight
full companionship, who can compare
with Oliver Wendell Holmes2 The
American character has some blemishes
which time may change. Like the newly
made rich in the old world there is too
frequently a self-assertive tone which is
not pleasant, and want of Difference
which is painful to witness. But these
are perhaps the exuberance of strength,
and as time goes on an increased leisure
may bring greater tranquility of life and
a repose of mind fruitful of good results.
Already l see the beginning of the new
age-that activity in Intellectual work
which continually applies itself to prac-
teal affairs, and which has given US the
sewing machine, the steam plough, the
improved printing press, and perfect
host of inventions for economizing hui
man labor will never pass away, but may
in other generations work out its subtle
life in creative art.