The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-08
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
From our London correspondent
LONDON, 18th October, 10.


There is, at this moment, quite dearth Of pollii-
cal matters, with which correspondent, from Eu-
rope might entertain the American public. The
standing topic still the annexation Of Texas; but the
British newspaper press is becoming some what more
calm on the subject There are .9mericans in this
place who still entertain some fear Of armed Eu-
ropean interference in the matter, from the crcum-
stance that the greatest activity exists at this mo-
ment, in all the British arsenas; but men who have
mind enough to draw their conclusions from more
than one element of thought and who will take the
trouble to combine several causes contributing TO
produce certain effects, in these warlke prepara-
tons Of Great Britain nothing but precautionary
measures against unforeseen, but on that account
not impossible, rupture with France. II is well
known that, Ia proportion as the ruler of England
ruler ca grafid modsstie-and the ruler of France
whose will is made law by process which puzzles
the world, approach each other personally, their
spective countries recede from the friendly embrace
which is to unite their fates in one
Under these circumstances, and with such bright
hopes before them, England cannot but arm her
self. II would be objectionable in her statesmen
we're they not to prepare themselves for the worst
even for collision with Russia the United States
But il would be absurd in her to provoke such
collision, especially where it can serve no useful
purpose, as is inevitably the case in Mexico. The
English are calm, considerate people, who will
look well before they leap, and calculate the cost
Of their achievements before they follow the impulse
of their passion. What they will consider in Mex
leo, is, whether their trade TO that valiant republic
will bear the outlay of war; without the hope of a
reasonable return they will neither employ soldier
nor guinea. The TALK therefore, in some of our
9merica,, circles in London, that England will keep
the Texas business open until the Oregon question
is settled is as puerle as it is timd and would, if
acted on, render, in very short time, our diplo-
matte relations intricate those Of Europe. The
Texas question is settled; and England has no more
RIGHT n rueddte with than xvIfh he I'M Inf.
fairs of France or Germany; but England riH med
die with it, if we invite her interference by such
absurd speculations. The Oregon question itself
would not be where it now is, had we not COM
menced by doubling our own rghts, and by that
means to lend color to the pretensions of England
Our right to Texas is the most indispuabls be-
fore God and man; for it consists in the consent
of the governed, which is much higher title
than a deed Of conveyance in the shape of a
European diplomatic conference, at which lands and
people are disposed of--bought sod and exchanged
like real estate, on which men and cattle are only
counted as so many improvements. England has
acknowledged the independence of Texas, and has,
therefore, not shadow of right for pragnaiic
interference, much less for one n Fl a,mis Eng
land, am confident, has no intention of doing one
the other for she cares, at this moment, more for
the good opinion of the world than for the good will
of Mexico. She is too commercial nation to for
felt her reputation for honest deang--in matter
which yields no profit.
France no doubt, would be glad to interfere; but
who cares for the Napoleon ofpeace, who is obliged
10 entreDch himself in his own capitai The Amer
lean equilibrium, which is the newly-hatched bug
bear of the ministry of October need give us any
uneasiness; though il may, perhaps, entitle us TO
call upon M. Guizot for an explanation. Let others
make the panegyric of the King of the French,
or Of Mr.. Rothschild, if they please; he cannot
inspire us with either particular respect or ter
ror. France, with her present vaclating policy,
vii hnr a,d bar all
with her offers of friendship to every one, with
her triangular policy in regard to England and
the United States, and her affected respect for the
northern powers, does not even impose upon the
Bedouins the Kabyles, much less will she arrest
progress Anglo-Saxon race on the American
continent. am not generally an admirer of the
French journal lie Steele, because il is not edited
with sufficient talent TO command respect but it con-
tanned nevertheless, few days ago, capital remark
on the present administration.
France it Observed ''has passed through sever
al stages. The old Bourbons ruined her; the ma.
tional convention depopulated her; Napoleon tram
Piled on her; the restoration insuted herr but it was
reserved for the dynasty Of July demoralize herr
There is no country in the world in which the press
ia so thoroughly prostituted, in which men write SO
entirely for hire, as in France. There is the man.
mouth journal pEpoque, which was no doubt
founded with government subsidies in order to sup
plant the small popular journals; and there is the
official apologst for the government, the Journal des
Dsbafs with its daily prophecies of the approaching
downfall of our institutions, and its paidfor SIAN
ders on the President, the cabinet, and the American
people. The venom Of Michel Chevalier bespatter-
ed even our illusrious dead; it tried to pull Gen.
Jackson down TO level with Louis Philippe-to put
the man Of truth and chivalry on an equality with
a monarch Let the French enjoy their triumph
at being fifteen years without having had another
revolution; they have yet to learn to obey the law
without standing army. The state Of order which
fha Erench iourooIteto hoeue nf 10
France, is that (which sober-minded American, or
even an Englishman, would consider as following
the proclamation of martial law. Such trumpery
liberties as the French enjoy may suit the children
of Paris what pe understand by manly freedom
surpasses the comprehension Of Europeans, or
strikes their fancy only in the shape of political
romance
There is species of bribery in France, which, to
thinking Americans, is characteristic of the vanity
Of the people. II consists in bit of red rband,
about an inch and a half wide, and quarter of an
inch long, which corresponds in its Specification, to
the rank expressed by the different batons in China
The Chinese batons, however, are always express
i've of real dignity and power; whereas the red rib
and Of France worn at the button-hole merely takes
the place of q useless ornament The chimney
sweep and the hair-drcsser may wear it, provided
they fawn and cringe before the sovereign or his
ministers-a circumstance which, in all probability,
would deter many Chinese from accepting like
distinction. The red ribands mark the devotion of
the people. The more red ribands you see in q
crowd, the better may you be assured of its loyal
disposition. You have idea how eager French
people sometimes are to get hold Of bit Of red rib
and--how many times they will betray themselves
and their elow-creaures to be permitted to wear
how many inventions they will adopt, and how
much truth they will conceal, to be able to say,
"We, too, are persons possessed of a bit of red
ribandp' You will perhaps ask me, in a plain,
mercantile way, "What is that bit of red riband
WORTH" TO which ! can only reply, at is an
introduction to the ladies'" A young moustache
never looks black, except when set off by piece Of
red riband in the button-hole; and white beard is
perfectly hideous, unless mitigated by the reflection
of red riband The number of men that have bits
Of red riband is "legion !" hence the singular APP
pelloon of the whole--"Legion of Honor" Its
introduction dates from the times Of Napo-
leon, who first gave il TO his soldiers, and
afterwards TO all sorts Of people. Men who
have II are never in want of money when they
have large amount in the funds, and may dine
with friend when they are invited. When, at the
tune OF the empire, public singer, whose notes
were particularly high and quavering, was made a
kngat OF the "egion" Of honor, the question arose