Deference to English opinion.
A contemporary remarks that the people of
America never know that they have done a thing right till they get the opinion of the
English people on the subject.
Not long ago the same remark, in substance, was made of the
United States by one of the members of the
British House of Lords.
As far as the
Yankees are concerned, there is no doubt of its truth.
And we fear that it is in some measure applicable to ourselves.
Yet there was always this difference, that no touch of servility of flunkey I am ever characterized the undoubted respect in which English opinions have always been held here.
No English notability was ever lionized in the
South, except by a few tuft hunters, whereas in the North Maryatt,
Dickens, and all the other English celebrities, as well as
European adventurers, that incomparable humbug, Kosauth, included, ran the people stark, staring mad. Southern respect for
England in general has never failed to be self respecting, and is such as a proud, high-spirited people may naturally feel for an ancestry who cannot be disparaged without disparaging themselves.
Nevertheless there have been too many exceptions to the rule of late, especially since the present war, and too much inclination to receive as oracles the criticisms of the
English press upon all matters of American concern.
Perhaps it would be best to consult oracles less ignorant of the questions which they are expected to decide.
So far as slavery is concerned they not only do not know, but do not want to know, the truth; so far as relates to our mode of conducting the war, we are quite as competent to form an opinion as people three thousand miles off. If they are pleased to compliment Confederate valor, we suppose that it is because Confederate valor deserves the tribute, and it is neither more nor less meritorious because its victorious thunders waken echoes from all parts of the world.
We would better show our admiration of
England in emulating its pride than in feeling solicitude for its approbation.
For our own part, if there is one thing more than another we respect in the
English, it is their self respect.
They don't value the opinion of the rest of the world a great, so they have their own good opinion.
It is equally immaterial to them what France Germany,
Rome or Timbuctoo thinks of them and their doings.
They monopolize the African philanthropy market, enslave Coolee and blew Sepoys from the months of their cannon with equal self-complacency.
If
John Bull could permit himself to suppose that he would ever feel the slightest degree of curiosity as to what the rest of mankind think of him and his proceedings, he would cease to be
John Bull.
Way cannot his admirers on this continent imitate his example?
Why not manifest as profound indifference to his opinion of us as he does to our opinion of him?
It is with nations as with men,--none but the self-respecting can command the respect of others.
As a people, the
South need fear no comparison with any other in genuine manhood, and public and private virtue.
As to morality, we doubt whether the equal of the
Southern community can be found in any other prove that this is no idle boast.
In intelligence, piety, and domestic purity, courage, and even the sordid condition of material wealth, we have so reason to fear a comparison with any other nation.
English opinion on any subject ought to be a matter of no possible interest to us, not even on the subject of intervention; for if we cannot obtain our liberties unless they are given to us by the very empire from which we them at the point of the sword, we are a degenerate race and fit only for slaves.
