New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-30
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN KINsu,p.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: So much has been said and written latc,v
with regard the knship or 'cousinship" of tho
peoples of England and the United States that II ia
worth while to pause for a moment and consider how
close this relationship really is The two nations
sneak the same language and are generally ro-
garded as the two great branches of the Anglo
Saxon race But are the Americans as a nation an
AngloSaxon people?
At the time when the United States first became
an independent nation the population consisted of
about 100000 people. almost entirely of tho Anglo
Saxon During the first few years following n
comparatively small number of foreigners, l. e.
Irish. German. Swedish. Italian and what not came
over. and were absorbed. digested and assmilatcd
by the largely preponderating Anglo-Saxon element
and the descendants of these foreigners became
we may say. Anglo-Saxons. But gradually as the
years rolled on the foreign element increased enor-
mously in numbers. through the vast augmentation
Of immigration, until for some years IL has very
greatly exceeded in increase the Anglo Saxon ele-
ment. Ethnoogically speaking. the foreign ele-
ment has in its turn reacted on the Anglo-Saxon
element. and to some extent, modified and alb.
sorbed that original element In the population of
the United States.
II IS true that in New-England and the Southern
States. whittier the tide of immigration has been
comparatively weak. the people remain essentially
an Anglo-SaXon race but this IL becoming less so
each year. especially in the South since vast num-
bcrs of Germans and Irish and Italians finding
new NclGs OF TABOR IN the recently awakened
mercial and manufacturing activity of the former
slave States. And certainly in the country at large
a good majority of the population either for
eigners or the descendants of foreigners.
Most fortunately. the "Americanization," dis
tngushed from the Understanding" of the
foreign element has gone with very gratifying
continuity from the earcet days of the Republic
TO the present time Our magnificent public school
system is great factory. in which the raw ma
terials from foreign chimes are manufactured into
Americans, with the language. the sentiments the
patriotism. the manners and the National aspira-
tons OF Americans But, from chronological
standpoint. there has been material change in the
National character. The original Anglo-Saxon blood
has been greatly modified by the infusion of
foreign blood The National characteristics have
perceptibly altered. The Americans much more
nervous and emotional than the Engsh-.ndeed,
well-knowH writer has recently asserted that at
times we can be an hSsteTicai people more closely
OF our Republic. In short, IL would II
view OF the stupendous growth of the foreign ele-
ment-lrish. German Swedish. Italian. Polish He
Kin TO The Germans or Irish as TO the English This
rejection is undoubtedly painful one to many of
who have been for several generations native
American { AngloSaxon origin We take pride
aversion al the steady inroads made by foreigners
and the descendants of foreigners But ii ought
'oregners. more especially their descendants.
Inst as good and PATRIOTS americans as the purest-
This ehnologcai evolution has not been confined
-epubnc. France is undergoing similar change
oV.ng TO the dimnuton of the French race proper
Beigians. Germans ard Italians But. nevertheless
owing TO the superb public school system that has
years grown up in France, the children and
DESCENDANTS of these foreigners become Just as
sood and patriotic Frenchmen as it is possible to
y Gambeita who was Of Italian origin: The Ian
same. while the chronological character OF the people
.,crhaps in future il may be well for some of our
satesmen not TO count toe much upon the strength
ihe United States to counteract and modify IN"
ect Of infammatory messages and speeches made
with view to internal p9lit;cs :, ,r,,11,,,e
New-York. Dec. g 1855
AN IRIsHMAN's OPINION OF ENGLAND.
r. ST. JOHN GAFFNEY SAYS THAT THE UNITED
STATES HAS THE SYMPATHY OF EVERY
SON OF ERIN TIE WORLD OVER.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir When John f. Redmond, the distinguished
IRISH Parliamentary leader, cabled to this country
tat IRISH sympathy would support the United
states in her controversy with England he mercy
re-echoed the sentiment OF every lrishman all the
world over He might have gone further !: he
not parliamentarian, and said that wherever
a hundred Irishmen had their home the SOL o.
England or in her most distant colony that local
ity in the language Of military parance. might be
considered by her "held by the enemy. The
flower Of her regular forces would not protect her
ance Of the Celt. vengeance that has grown
more bitter with the lapse of seven centuries OF IN
famous oppression.
The mercenary corps OF English free-trade jour
nalsts who seek 20 neutralize the marital ardor OF
the American people by Wanting of the military
and naval power Of England have rendered them
selves ridiculous by their fantast!cal chatter The
idea OF British military supremacy has long shce
been shattered upon the Continent and the depIof-
able condition Of equipment in the event of even
rop1a with r0-
intelligence department of every government Great
Britain has received her first check IN Aer ca
reer of unbrided lust. rapne and audacity. IL -
time. therefore. that We, who have learned the
lesson Of British spoliation, should be alive 10 tNe
cx.gency which the future must bring about AZ
this moment England controls six powerful naval
stations on the American Atlantic coast n Nape
Breton, Halifax, Bermuda, Jamaica santa LUCIA
and Trinidad With all ner old-time brazen ehroht-
cry she endeavorng 20 grab some o. our territory
IN Alaska.
We men of Irish blood 90 not desire to see TINS
country enter upon policy Of colonial agsrandize-
ment but We believe Il TO DE the sacred duty Oh
our public men not 20 neglect our necessary out
works in order that may not be at any disaa-
vantage when the Inevitable struggle occurs whch
IS TO determine the commercial and poiucai SUI
prernacy Of this country over her hereHllaiE e"-
envy England America IS the rival and competitor
OF England for the trade ana commerce OF. 'He
world ard il should be remembered that every
war that England has engaged in during this CEN
fury has been tae result Of Ter efforts 10 cohtioi
tae great highways Of commerce. ...
II ;he presideni's message acconplishes nothing
than .npress.ns upon Congress the
necessity OF additional military ana naval ariaJ-
mert IL Will have accomplished the creates "oih
since the suppression OF the reDellon nave ,ar
ncent confidence in me indomitapie WI, p omsi
the genius and mechanical Skill OF me nins!odi ,
peOple even in present condition, 10 DeiieNe ta'
within twelve months after declaration OF war
instead OF the great Powers Of Europe occupy ~
themselves with carving up Turkey, they "ouiu pe
joyfully and agreeaoly engaged Win tie "'s'o0"
ton Of the Lion. 49,, ...,,,a animate tho
heart OF every Irsh-American citizen OF v'e WEN
ed States is loyalty 10 this Government. nHei
Graat PIT ain desnoiled the irish OF tnelr hOnes al