The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-11

tho American war failed hy only one vote. Five
days later the same motion had a majority Of
10. and tho doom OF the Ministry was sealed.
On March 90 Lord North resigned and the
Marquis of Rockingham formed a WhiR Cabi-
net for the proclaimed purpose OF making
peace with the American colonists, by acknowl-
edEing their Independence.
vi.
Tho whole OF the concluding chapter on
Tho Meaning OF the American Revolution +"
deserves to be perused carefully. The signin-
canoe OF the contest has never been more dis
tinotly recognized or more adequately set forth,
A section Of the chaptefis particularly pertinent
at the present time. We refer to the authors
comments on England's long-continued failure
to learn from the outcome OF our war for lnde-
pendenee how to treat the people which had
separated from them a failure which, happily.
came to an end nine months ago. Our author
begins his remarks upon this topic by recall
ing the memorable fact that. g~rievous
as wns the loss OF the thirteen North
American colonies. It did not check tho
growth Of the British Empire In other re-
glons and in lands almost unknown TO the
eighteenth century. The chief reason for the
subsequent DEVELOPMENT OF England. for the
success which has followed her arms and her
commerce ever since the American Revolution,
was her demonstration OF ability TO draw from
bitter experience at least one great lesson.
Never again did England engage In the blum
dering policy which had cost her the whole Of
British North America south Of the Canadian.
frontier. No other English colonies were ever
treated as those on the Atlantic seaboard had
been; the wise colonial policy which has en-
abied England. while giving to her colonies
everywhere the largest practicable liberty. at
the same time To- grapple them to her with
hooks OF steel. was In the fulness Of time an
outcome Of the American Revolution. In Eng
lands capacity TO learn that lesson has lain the
secret Of her wonderful success.
There was. however. another lesson which
should have been deduced from our war for In
dependence. but which she utterly failed to
draw. She learned gradually how to deal with
her remaining colonies and dependencies and
with the still greater ones which she was des-
tined to- win. but she learned nothing as to the
proper way to treat her former colonists whom
she had driven into successful revolt and who
differed In no essential respects from English
speaking people elsewhere. Toward them she
maintained the same attitude which had pro-
voked them to rebellion and now could only
ALLEVIATE them further. Having in view the
record OF the Federalists. who. for twelve years
after the establishment of our Consti-
tuition. controlled our Federal Government.
Senator Lodge points out that the aAmeri-
cana on their side. after the war feeling had
subsidized. were only too ready to renew with
the mother country the closest and most
friendly relations. 1t 10 easier. we are reminded.
to cut political bonds than 1t is to sever the
ties OF blood and speech, and. above all. the
habits Of daily life and intercourse. which. i'm
palpable as they are. outlast constitutions and
governments. For q long time after the Peace
OF 1873 every habit Of thought and business.
every natural prejudice and interest. still
bound the Americans to England. Had she so
willed. she could in q few years have COM
manded the growing trade. the expanding
markets and the political sympathy OF
America as completely. in every practical
way. as II the States had remained her
colonies, Had there been forthcoming a little
generosity. an evident desire to cultivate good
relations with the United States. kind words
and q proclaimed policy Of non-interference
with the westward movement from the, Atlantic
seaboard. England would have made America
her friend, and kept her as an ally in the troub-
lous years which were to follow.
Instead of this, q course was adopted which
seemed to embody a determination to injure
America in every possible way. to retard her
growth and to ALLEVIATE her people. Our early
representatives in London were treated with
rudeness and disdain. Every practicable meas
ure was taken to interfere with and break up
our West Indian commerce. and Lord Dorches-
ter openly melted the Indian tribes to attack
our Western settlements with a view to avert
their advance. Eventually. under the press
ure OF her struggle with France. England con-
scented to make the treaty. negotiated by Jay
but she drove a hard bargain with our ~necessi-.
ties. Then came the period of'the Napoleonic
wars. when ordinary foresight would seem to
have dictated a policy which would cause tho
Americans. who were at that time the great sea-
faring people among neutral nations. to COOPER
ate with England in the desperate conflict upon
which she had entered. Even Jefferson, with
all his reputed and ostensible hostility to Eng
land. tried to bring about close relations be-
tween the two countries. But England steadily
course Of hostility. There was no
wrong which she failed to do us; no
insult was spared us by her public men.
English brutality surpa ssed even the cynical
outrages. heaped unon us by Napoleon. and
brought. at last. the War OF 1872. a righteous
war for existence by which England suffered in
her naval prestige and was forced to respect
our flag upon the ocean. but by which the feel
ing between the two kindred countries was
still further embittered The faulty OF a policy
with such results now seems as obvi-
GUS as the stupidity which had caused the
Revolution and cost England her colonies.
Some, years after the War Of 1912. however.
the intention Of the Holy Alliance to re-enslaye
the American colonies Of Spain. and George
CanninR's determination to prevent the con-
summation Of the scheme led to temporary
Of interest and sentiment between
England and the United States. The result OF
the better understanding was the Monroe
which. rs Senator Lodge recalls. was
promulgated as much by Canning as by the
American President. 80 easy was 1t for the two
nations TO come together when the older coun- |
try did notput obstacles In the way.
The prospect Of harmony. nevertheless. |
was soon overloaded by English travellers,
who. as the century advanced. widened the
breach between the two countries moro efleo-
lively. perhaps. than statesmen had done. A
swarm OF writer's. among whom Mrs. Troll
loppe and Dickens were the most conspicuous. |
gratlned their own 'prejudices and those
Of their home market with descriptions
of the American people which left nothing |
unsaid. We had. OF course. all the
shortcomings Of a new and quickly& rowing
and no doubt a great deal OF what
our critics said was true. but the faults we're
aroelv aunarncial anatha naffan NINA ano.ood