Why a National Literature Cannot Flourish in the United States of North AmericaRocchietti, Joseph
General
Why a National Literature Cannot Flourish in the United States of North America
Rocchietti, Joseph
American literature; United States -- Social life and customs
If under the word party, they mean their own private interest;
then, they should be more sincere, and say, that they wish, here, a
parliament of lords, and a house of commons. If they pride themselves
in the beautiful political work of their fathers, they should forsake
any dispute of party spirit. Tariff, Slavery, Annexation, Banking,
Naturalization, Free trade, Direct taxation, and all the branches
of political economy, must have nothing to do with party. Laborers,
landlords, or capitalists should give way to their private little
interest for the benefit of the plurality: and in all different
branches of political economy, the country should never suffer for our
private interest. If the citizen’s duty is to die for the country, how
can a man call himself a citizen, if he does not feel the generosity
of losing a little property for his country’s sake? An upright citizen
of this Union should debate all like things without personal interest,
nor party spirit. His independence depends not, by subduing the country
to his own will; but by yielding to the plural will of his country:
and the will of the plurality had never been a tyrannical will. If
he is rich, he has only to leave people live, and he will become
still richer. If he is poor, with his honest industry, soon he will
find means to live honorably. Every thing benefitting the plurality,
benefits still more the rich, by many indirect ways. Where justice is
given to the poor, the poor will give justice to the rich.
The geographical position of North America, and a government going with
the improvements of the age, are so much favoring this country, that
the grandeur of America would cost no pain to her citizens, were these,
leaving this country to grow by herself. But, too many politicians
are introducing too many cramped ideas in their speeches! As the fear
of bad influence by strangers; that of catholicism; and many other
fears, too tedious to enumerate. All like fears, sprung from ignorance,
religious party, narrow minded, illiberal, or rebellious demagogues.
This country wants only liberal politicians, who can understand the
present position of America, and age. It is generosity, hospitality,
and friendship towards all strangers, that this country will attain her
grandeur. And then, America will be the Sun and the central political
happiness, throughout the world. Those who, in America, wish to imitate
the selfishness of other nations, are not fit to live on this soil.
If the people’s aim, and of all the nations of the world, is now for
having republics, and not monarchies; America has only to give them
her friendly hand, and the whole world will be the friend of America.
And the whole world will have soon the blessed millenium. The sons of
God, should be liberal. No stingy cramped head, stepping after the
old, and selfish governments, will ever do any thing good to himself,
nor to the race of man, and of this country. But, the Sun will shine
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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