other respects.

The white-headed eagle (_Falco leucocephalus_), or "bald eagle," as he
is generally called because his white head gives him somewhat of a bald
appearance--has been adopted by the United States as the emblem of their
Republic. If his disposition be considered, he would be a more fit
emblem for a band of robbers--for a more absolute robber and tyrant does
not exist among the feathered races. He robs the osprey of his fish,
and the vulture of his carrion; in short, lords it over every creature
weaker than himself. Now this is not the character of the nation he
represents--far from it. It is true they have shown a desire to extend
their territory, and have made conquests to this end. But what is the
motive of these conquests? Is it to enslave and render tribute? No.
They conquer not _to enslave_, but to _make free_! There are two
motives for Anglo-American--I may say Anglo-Saxon, conquest, for _true_
Englishmen feel these motives as much as Americans do. They wish to
bring the whole world under a liberal form of government--one that will
bear the scrutiny of reason--one that in time may extinguish crime, and
render poverty a thing of the past--one that is not a patent usurpation
and a robbery--a robbery perhaps more criminal in the eyes of God than
waylaying on the highroad, or piracy on the high seas--more criminal,
because more extensive in its fatal effects. Anglo-Saxons wish to
destroy despotism, lest they or their descendants might again become
what their ancestors once were--its victims. This, then, is one motive
of their conquests, and it is nothing more than the naked instinct of
self-preservation. But there is another motive--a nobler and more
generous one. They have drunk from the cup of Liberty--the draught has
pleased them, has given them happiness and joy; and, urged by that
better part of our nature, they wish to share that sweet cup--ample for
all--_with all men_. This is the true motive of the conquest of
civilisation; and under the banner of such a cause, it is a question
whether war and anarchy and confusion be not preferable to the deceptive
peace and _apparent_ prosperity of despotism, that, like the
death-dealing vampire, soothes while it destroys.

I do not say that _all_ Americans nor _all_ Englishmen are entitled to
the glory of such a holy motive for conquest. No. Too large a
proportion, alas! are actuated only by the ignoble idea of selfish or
national aggrandisem