And when Senator Butler rebuked him for this animosity, reminding him that England was after all our mother country, to whom we were under deeper obligations than to any other, Douglas retorted, “She is and ever has been a cruel and unnatural mother.”  Yes, he remembered the illustrious names of Hampden, Sidney, and others; but he remembered also that “the same England which gave them birth, and should have felt a mother’s pride and love in their virtues and services, persecuted her noble sons to the dungeon and the scaffold.”  “He speaks in terms of delight and gratitude of the copious and refreshing streams which English literature and science are pouring into our country and diffusing throughout the land.  Is he not aware that nearly every English book circulated and read in this country contains lurking and insidious slanders and libels upon the character of our people and the institutions and policy of our Government?"[407]

For Europe in general, Douglas had hardly more reverence.  With a positiveness which in such matters is sure proof of provincialism, he said, “Europe is antiquated, decrepit, tottering on the verge of dissolution.  When you visit her, the objects which enlist your highest admiration are the relics of past greatness; the broken columns erected to departed power.  It is one vast graveyard, where you find here a tomb indicating the burial of the arts; there a monument marking the spot where liberty expired; another to the memory of a great man, whose place has never been filled.  The choicest products of her classic soil consist in relics, which remain as sad memorials of departed glory and fallen greatness!  They bring up the memories of the dead, but inspire no hope for the living!  Here everything is fresh, blooming, expanding and advancing."[408]

And yet, soon after Congress adjourned, he set out to visit this vast graveyard.  It was even announced that he proposed to spend five or six months in studying the different governments of Europe.  Doubtless he regarded this study as of negative value chiefly.  From the observation of relics of departed grandeur, a live American would derive many a valuable lesson.  His immediate destination was the country against which he had but just thundered.  Small wonder if a cordial welcome did not await him.  His admiring biographer records with pride that he was not presented to Queen Victoria, though the opportunity was afforded.[409] It appears that this stalwart Democrat would not so far demean himself as to adopt the conventional court dress for the occasion.  He would not stoop even to adopt the compromise costume of Ambassador Buchanan, and add to the plain dress of an American citizen, a short sword which would distinguish him from the court lackeys.