"Young man, there is America—which this day serves for little more than to amuse you with stories of savage men and uncouth manners; yet shall, before you taste of death, show itself equal to the whole world of that commerce which now attracts the envy of the world."
The extract is from the famous Burke's speech on "Conciliation with America." It is as well to realize that during those years when the British colonists in what have since become the United States were fighting for rights similar to those enjoyed by their own stock in the homeland, there were in England big figures who sympathized with them, and opposed to their utmost the policy of the Court which had brought about so alarming a state of affairs, The result of that struggle,—which was in effect the birth throes' of a nation, though only those who thought with Burke realized it—was to set in train a series of events which formed the Union, for as Samuel P. Chase said in his decision in Texas v. White, "The Constitution in all its provisions looks to an indestructible Union composed of indestructible states." Those States which had sought to throw off the yoke of the English Court,—for there must always be that differentiation between the Court and those who opposed it,—had taken Benjamin Franklin's advice; they hung together lest assuredly they hanged separately. Thus from the temporary necessities of a passing phase in the life of what was to be a new colonial nation there was forged a new thing in which the courage and determination of the pioneering colonists were the main ingredients. Englishmen had thrown off the burden of a tyranny which when the history of the race is recalled it was inevitable they should do. There was a time, and that not so very far back, when a iavqurite subject for debating societies was as to whether the discovery of America had been of any benefit to the world. It was typical of the times, and showed forgetfulness of that prophecy of Burke's quoted above. That prognostication has been fulfilled, and the seed sown by the colonists in the defence of their rights has grown into a great tree under which so many peoples of the world, people of so many different races have been able to take shelter.
In approaching the subject of Independence Day this year, and it is a subject upon which much has been written in these columns, full recognition is given to the fact that this year its observance will be under the shadow of other important events. Within less than a month since Their Majesties visited the United States the national celebration has come round again, and the hearty welcome which was extended to them, the cordiality of the American greeting, traditional of a people whose hospitality is famous, has struck a chord in the British heart which vibrates in the completest harmony. There is more. There has been the effecting of the Anglo-American Trade Agreement, a document which was often despaired of, but which now expresses an agreement which should have been reached years ago. There have been President Roosevelt's interventions in the cause of world peace, and the expression of American concern in the present unfortunate international trends. There have been those expressions of good neighbourliness to other nations which in at least some quarters have met with cordial, reciprocal replies. The development of a more definite foreign policy under the zgis of President- Roosevelt is in itself one of the inevitable sequale to the fulfilment of that history which Burke saw for the new nation, and, though his estimate of time may have erred somewhat, the fact is that events have proved him to be a good prophet. The United States have shown themselves the equal to the whole world in that commerce which is the envy of the world. They have done more; they have established themselves as such a power, which even so accurate a forecaster could never have anticipated, and they have given every reason to believe that the torch of Anglo-Saxon civilization, when the time comes, will be carried by its immediate desfendant.
If more reasons were wanted why so much interest should be taken by Britons in today's celebrations, one of the chief would the manner in which the community of foreign interests in the Far East has been warmly supported by the United States and the great sympathy which has been shown with British who may have become involved in unpleasant incidents. The mutuality of understanding, the manner in which, because of common perils, Britons, French and Americans have been drawn together during the past two years makes this celebration of Independence Day of peculiar significance. The whole foreign community of Shanghai will remember with gratitude those Americans of all ranks, and walks of life who have played their part in the life of the port and its protection, and those who may not be too closely acquainted with all that has been happening may rest assured that the role which has been played by Americans, official as well as unofficial in the preservation of their interests by no means compares unfavourably with what has been done by people of other nationalities, These common bonds which bind peoples together in the Far East probably more than in any other part of the world, especially in times like these, make it impossible that other communities should not be interested in the celebration of this day, and citizens of the United States in China who observe the great event of the struggle of not so very many generations ago, the Declaration of Independence, may rest assured that they are joined in sentiment by many who may not be able to demonstrate that fact by-their personal at-tendence at the various functions of the day.
It is with the knowledge of that fact that this opportunity is taken to congratulate Americans in China on the advent of another of their great anniversaries, and to express the hope that there will in the future be very many occasions for similar rejoicing National Service It is as well that the inspiring message which H.M. the King broadcast on Sunday evening should be widely published throughout all the world. He had witnessed a parade of national service volunteers in Hyde Park that afternoon, and he was impressed by the demonstration which he witnessed. The past few months have seen powerful evidence of certain characteristics which critics of the British are either apt to overlook, or would like to believe are non-existent. The chief of them is the willingness to submit to a voluntarily imposed discipline when anything in the nature of a crisis demands it. It could, of course, be imposed upon the people if necessary, for there is every requisite power in the possession of the legislature. Fortunately it—has not proved to be necessary and though the call for volunteers for national service was made only a short while back the authorities have at their disposal sufficient numbers to ensure the efficient carrying out of wartime measures should there be any demand for it This team spirit, which makes those inspired by it so much more valuable than those subjected to some form of gener: compulsion, arises out of a very real apprecia tion of the dangers with which the country may be faced, and the need for securing that training, and education with which to meet the problems which warfare will nowadays impose. Much of what they are learning may to some extent have to be unlearnt under practical conditions, but so long as the general principles are correct there need be very little doubt concerning their modified application should the time unhappily come for that to be done. The creation of a large and efficient national service, something much wider than anything which existed during the Great War, is indicative of the recognition by the British of the seriousness of the situation and their mess to appreciate his Majesty's reference to and the spirit which animates them, while his expression of thanks will be ample recompense for the trouble to which so many of them are going to be ready in their countrys service.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.