But If The Large Firm Commits Any Such Act Of Injustice,
The Little Men In The Trade Have No Power Of Setting Themselves
Right By Counter-Injustice.
I need hardly point out what must be
the effect of such a state of things upon the whole
Publishing
trade; nor need I say more to prove that some law which shall
regulate property in foreign copyrights would be as expedient with
reference to America as it would be just toward England. But the
wrong done by America to herself does not rest here. It is true
that more English books are read in the States than American books
in England, but it is equally true that the literature of America is
daily gaining readers among us. That injury to which English
authors are subjected from the want of protection in the States,
American authors suffer from the want of protection here. One can
hardly believe that the legislators of the States would willingly
place the brightest of their own fellow-countrymen in this position,
because, in the event of a copyright bill being passed, the balance
of advantage would seem to accrue to England.
Of the literature of the United States, speaking of literature in
its ordinary sense, I do not know that I need say much more. I
regard the literature of a country as its highest produce, believing
it to be more powerful in its general effect, and more beneficial in
its results, than either statesmanship, professional ability,
religious teaching, or commerce.
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