Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-23
The United States and England,

The exchange of jubilee courtesies be-
tween England and this country brings I'D
again the whole question of representative
feeling in the United States toward the
English people. There is no question that
is more frequently misstated: none, GER
tainly, about which the English people
themselves are so much in error.
The English are of opinion that by the
great majority of the people of this coun-
try they are held in something like detes-
tation; that their qualities are all mis-
judged, their faults being magnified, their
virtues ignored; that it is only by a very
few that they are appraised at their real
value. This is radically wrong. There is
probably no estimate of English character
formed anywhere outside of England that
upon the whole, is so just and accurate as
that obtaining In representative circles in
the United States. 1t allows for all those
qualities which have made England great
purpose, persistency, contrivance, self-es-
TEEN. patience, foresight and pluck. 1t
discounts nothing. leaves nothing out. 1t
recognizes the fact that all of those quail
ties are necessary to the building of a
state. and are worthy to be copied But
1t would be very inadequate estimate
which would leave out of the accounts the
strong qualities have grown abuses reflect
ing no credit on England. The giant has
not always used strength as a giant should
Giants are liable to err on that score
1t is matter of history that England
has been much Of a land grabber. How
she justif1es her course to herself is not
known. She may soothe herself with the
reflection that as she has had signal sue
for lands so obtained. she has been a hem
efactor rather than an oppressor. She
has builied many weak and defenseless ma
tions, and may soothe herself with the
thought that as their superior in every
thing she had right to bring them under
in her own way. This spirit has grown
upon her. She carries herself at times
even toward nations of the first class with
an air Of patronage and instruction. 1t
was after studying this spirit at close
range that Mr.. Lowell wrote his essay.
"On certain condescension in Foreign
ers." He might have said lin English
men, but being a diplomat as we'll as a
scholarly observer, he made the applica-
ticn general.
We may remark these things without
making ourselves England's censor or
keeper. We need not take up cudgels for
the world The thing for us to bear in
mind is that England should never be per-
mitted. either in thoughtless or in well con-
sidercd moment, to carry herself in that
manner toward us. We recognize in her
great nation, and friend worth having
common tongue, a common law and
pubic education directed along liberal
lines will in themselves do much to keep
the two nations together. But the footing
must at all times be equal Whatever
EEgland's attitude toward the other ma
lions may be, toward this nation 1t should
never be permitted to be less than that
of respectful friendship long as CO.
partnership is solicited and desired.
The United States is no enemy Of Eng
land, and England will lie better disposed
toward the United States for accepting us
less upon the Bayard basis and more upon
a masculine footing. This is not a land of
palaverers and of Miss Nancys.