The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-21
~ANGLO-sAXON UNION.

ANGLO-sAXON UNION.
A recent number Of the Fortnightly
Magazine contains a delightful prose
idyll on the subject Of Anglo-Saxon
unity. The writer is the earl of Meath,
and tone and spirit throughout are
charming. The earl is a nobleman, and,
what is more, a gentleman, who has
travelled extensively in foreign country,
and used his dyes and ears to the best
of purpose. For the higoted English
man, who visits other lands to air his
nationality with offensive assumption
and abuse the manners and customs OF
his hosts, he has a sovereign contempt.
To listen, as he puts it, to some few mar
row-minded Britons INT might believe
thatthe UnitedStates was an uncivilized
country, in which culture, comfort and
refinement were unknown. His own
experience, gathered from three different
visits. leads him to a widely different
conclusion. The hospitality of our citi-
zens he characterizes as unbounded-
our regard for the Englshman such as
we might naturally entertain for a kins-
man and a neal one. He could wish for
no prouder right than to take a pride in
American ingenuity. energy, pluck and
progress. From such a candid critic OF
the weaknesses of q section of his fellow
countrymen, we, who are not entirely per-
feet, can scarcely hope to escape scot free.
The writer has not failed to jot down in
his note book the benighted American
who imagines that all the peoples Of the
old world are crushed beneath the des
potlsm Of effete classes and govern
ments, and that in America alone liberty
and progress are to be found. But with
characteristic liberality, he dismisses
this class OF petty critics with a kindly
smile and the expression of the hope
that increasing facilities Of communica-
ton and fairness of mind may lead them
in the lear future to conclusions more
consistent with fact.
The writer admits that at present it is
no more than a day dream--this
idea Of the confederation Of the
hundred millions of English-speak-
ing people, scattered all over the
globe. But it is a day-dream that
has, for more people than the writer, a
wonderful charm, has even it's possibili-
bilities. What a confederation it would
be of brain, nerve, and sinew, housed in
the richest, most temperate, and most
habitable portions of the globe. Its re-
suits would be simply wonderful.
Sprung from the same loins, speaking
the same tongue, sharing the same liter
allure, glorying in a common past, the
triumphs OF one would be the triumphs
Of all. Shoulder to shoulder, they could
dictate a universal reign of peace with
greater effect than all the ambitious
dreibunds or alliances of emperers.
For his aspiration he finds encourage
ment in the belief that federation is in
the air of the time. He points with
satisfaction to the unitication of Italy.
the consolidation OF Germany, the long
ing Of the Slavs for patriotic unity, and
the herculean effort of the north tc
maintain the union. Canada is alread,
federated. Australia has followed SUIT
On both sides of the Canadian border
there are large numbers OF American.
and Canadians who, while warmly at
tached to the governments under which
they live, would gladly welcome an,
union of the two countries. which woult
not necessitate the sacrifice of nationa
pride, sentiment and historic %associa-
ton. Why may it not some day b.
possible to have a union Of us all?
He would fain persuade himself tina
the march of events is already tendin,
that way. He finds reason for congratu
lation in the increasing intercourse be
tween the United States and the oil,
country. Within the last two years, h,
estimates this influx Of British capita
into this country at the rate of n mil
lion dollars d week, a total sum OF abou
one hundred millions. On the othe
hand, England is becoming more an,
more a favorite resort and second HON
for the Weather classes of our Owl
citizens. Democracy, literature, com
mon religious beliefs, even sympathy il
athletic sports ana victories, are al
drawing the lines of association an,
affection more closely together, Tina
there are jarring elements he does no
seek to deny. He is as bitter as h
knows how to be, when he trounces tn
E~nglishman who speaks of the colonie
as a dependent or Of the citizen of tn
United States as OF necessity coarse an
vulgar. Nor does he admire the Amer
can who INDUCES in spread-eagle fire
works on each and every occasion
These are the men who do most har,
to the cause the writer has at hear
The day dream is a great and a gloriou
one. 1t may be a long way off, indee,
may never materialize at all, but Shout
it ever be crowned with success, tt
result will be largely due to the tempe
ate tone and generous sympathies
men like the earl of Meath.
ON TO THE POLE.
Will the limited Statas tiay ba fl