The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1896-08-20
THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

Capt. J. B. White of Fort Wayne
Ind, in communication which hp-
pears in the "Western British Ameri,
can" of August LIST, eontroverts an
article in the ''North American Re.
view."
Editor Western British American:
In recent issue of the North Ameri-
can Review l note an article on "Eng-
lands Colonial Empire" by NIr.
Hannis Taylor, United States Minister
to Spain. 1t is somewhat amusing to
see. or read, the extent of his "jingo-
ISM" From the tone of his communi-
cation certainly no reader would
conclude there was such a place as
Scotland. This "Teutonic" business
is getting of late years by our dis
tinguished writer's much oyerdone.
Will Mr.. Taylor kindly inform us what
became of these heroic "Teutons" who
in 1850 ingloriously surrendered their
country to an invading foe, and were
subjected to the most humiliating con-
dition of servitude? Wouldn't he have
thought this period most fitting one
for an exhibition of the wonderful
glory he claims for them now? For
200 long years they dared not claim
their heritage. They were reduced to
the most abject misery and contempt;
relegated to the position of swineherds
for their royal conquerors; dared not
even speak their own language, and
had no more standing in court than a
negro of the South previous to the war.
And now at this late day we are in
formed by such distinguished writers
us Mr.. Taylor that we are indebted to
these high minded, chivalrous people
for the great "British Empire" He
terms it "English Empire" and says
"Blitish" is occasionally used for con-
venience. He goes back to 449 to
trace it's beginniti ga good way back,
it is true; just the time when their
other cOnquerors. the Romans, had left
them. He does not refer to that. of
course; it is trihe, as afterwards is
their being conquered by the Danes in
the eighth century, and paying for over
two centuries their "Dane- -gelt" to
their oppressors. And now we are to
be informed that all greatness and
glory is traceable to this spirited, heroic
lace of people. Some may be over
joyed at such a revelation; for one, L
am not.
Why do writer's not leave history as
it is, and not attempt to paint it as it is
uot. Mr.. Taylor, if he does not know,
ought to know-and if he reads up in
History, will know-that England and
cotland, at the beginning of the 18th
century, had enough to do at home,
looking after each other; that neither
Of them had foot of land outside of
their own little domain, and not until
the union of the crowns had there been
the slightest advancement towards an
empire. 1t was only after the brutal
wars that these two were engaged in
among themselves had been going on
for over three hundred long years, that
their hands were joined against the
whole world. From that period, and that
alone, dates the rise and greatness Of
the "British Empire"-not "English"
Empire, as the Hon. Mr.. Taylor would
have it.
James 1. of England and vi. of
Scotland gave the first charter, which
was the beginning of the British En-
pire. From that period till now the
empire has kept on growing and in
creasing in power; but it is not little
distasteful for writer's to fawn upon
and flatter the English people, or mis-
lead other people by such nonsense
as "England's" Colonial Empire. After
the union of the crowns, which con-
tinued for one hundred years, then the
union of the two kingdoms took place.
The foundation upon which that union
rests is the very first article of the
treaty, which reads as follows:
Article THAT the two kingdoms
of Scotland and England shall upon
the first day of May next ensuing the
date hereof land for ever after be
united into one kindom by the name
of "Great Britain" and that the ensign
armorial of the said United Kingdom
be such as Her Majesty shall appoint,
and that the crosses of st. Andrew and
st. George be conjoined in such man
ner as Her Majesty shall think fit, and
used in all flags, banners, standards
and ensigns, both on sea and land.
Article II.-That the succession to
the monarchy of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain, ETC., etc.
Article III.-That the United King
dom of Great Britain be represented
by one and the same Parliament to be
styled the Parliament of Great Brit
ain.
There are 81 other articles in rela-
tion to this union, which took place in
1907, but enough is quoted to set
aside all this "jingo Englishism," that
cur friend Taylor and some others rest
upon. Why could they not write of
"Scotland's Colonial Empire?" 1t
would be quite as proper, as just and
as truthful. In that case, do you
think England would stand it? Then
why should Scotland sit still and per-
NIT her history and character to be
trihed with in any such
Her history is just
as glorious as that of Eng
land; she has nothing to lose by COM
Sarisons. Therefore, is it not a
great wrong, not to say piece of in
justice, for writers at this late day to
be, either through ignorance or malice,
setting Scotland aside. Let them use
the only and proper term-Great
Britain. Let them, for instance, visit
Mount Vernon, Washington's tomb,
and read the colonial papers, dated
1776, and they will see that all
public affairs therein printed are of
Great Britain, not of England. Like
wise, visit Bunker Hill, Lexington,
Concord or Saratoga, where Burgoyne
and the tablets there
placed to commemorate events speak
of Great Britain, or the British. 1t was
not. as the tablet says, an English"
army but "British army" that sur
rendered at Saratoga. Another tablet
says: 1.-The British army that encamp-
ed here the night before the battle"
Somehow l feel as if it is fortunate |
that these tablets were put np, as, if |