The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-04-27
An z1sasEIsia Editor ora American CezebraH
faOvss.
London Telegraph

during the last five years, almost as much
pride and exultation has been experienced
by inhabitants Of Great Britain in contem-
plating the magnificent onward march of the
United States, since their Declaration Of In
Dependence in 1776, as by the existing popu-
ladon OF the model Republic. It was in no
grudging spirit that Lord Derby, then For
elgn Secretary, sent q competent British Of
fetal to Philadelphia to look after the inter
ests Of his commercial compatriots, who, in
far higher degree and far heartier zeal than
the denizens OF any other European king
dom or republic, sent English commodities Of
ell KINGS to add lustre to the successful en-
semble of the Centennial Exhibition. The
tact, courtesy and genialty with which the
British Commissioner, Sir Herbert Sandford,
executed, at Philadelphia, the delicate func-
tons intrusted to him by the foreign office,
won for him golden opinions from all classes
Of his c%ountrymen. Having, however, in
this country looked on, not only without
jealousy, but even with sympathy, at five
years Of American ebullitions of exultation
over q series Of occurrences which at the
time were regarded as the heaviest blows
ever administered to the Monarchy Of Eng
land, we may be permitted-perhaps notices.
in the interest Of the United States than from
any wounded self-love-to rejoice that the
last Of these jubilees is at hand, and that
when the surrender at Yorktown is duly
"celebrated, +" the normal relations existing
between the mother country and her eldest
daughter will be permitted TO resume their or
binary current.
Undoubtedly, it is not only natural, but
even right and seemly, that our transatlantic
kinsfolk should wish 20 observe the centen-
airy Of Yorktown, and that Englishmen
should take a more profound interest in the
revived memory of the last than of the first
armed encounter of a war which, in the
opinion Of all right.thinking men and wo-
men now alive upon both sides Of the Allan
tic, ought never to have taken place at all.
10 American citizens, moreover, Yorktown
symbolizes the opening of a young, unfet-
tered and disenthallel nations career-a ma
ton which then and there began, like a giant,
to run its amazing course.
To Englishmen, on the other hand, York
town suggests no bitter or humiliating mem
cries, seeing that the subsequent verdict Of
mankind is undoubtedly that the establish
ment Of American independence was a boon,
not only to the family of man at large, but,
mos of all, to Great Britain herself. Reck-
oning from the first skirmish at Concord,
the revolutionary war lasted nearly nine
years. There were occasions during that
stormy epoch when it might, perhaps, have
been brought by England to what she would
have deemed a successful termination; but it
is far more cerlain that in such an event the
struggle would have been renewed, for-as
the biographer of Lord CORVALLIS sagacious-
" remarks-ssno one can imagine that the
the mighty nation that now possesses 50 large
a portion Of North America would have per
manently consented to be subject to Great
Britain"
There is, however, in the memories of
Yorktown even Tow much to draw English
49,
men and Americans nearer together, and I'M
~questionably the bearing of General Wash
ington at the supreme moment toward his
.vanquished and Inundated enemy was Of
that character which it is meet and right
that historians should mot willingly let die"
It lis not generally known that, at the mo-
ment when Lord CORVALLIS surrendered 10
General Washington, the BUNDLED English
simultaneously uncovered his head.
With characteristic thoughtfulness General
Washington prayed him to put on his hat, as
the weather being chilly and Wet-there
was danger Of his catching cold. 1T does
not much matter what now becomes of me-
exclaimed the detected Englishman; to
which, in 6 firm voice, General Washington
at once replied: Son the contrary, my lord,
| anticipate for you a long career Of distinc-
ton and honor in the service Of your King
and country How truly these generous
and prophetic words were borne out may be
seen BY those who care to read the epitaph
upon the monument erected BY . grateful
country to Charles, first Marquis CORVALLIS,
in ST. Paul's Cathedral.