The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-15
THE BALANCE OF powER-M. GUIZoT.
No. l..
To the Editor of the Union.


Sin: You have invited discussion on the subject of
NJ Guizots declaration with respect French inter-
ference in regulating the balance of power in Amer
lea. propose to make few remarks upon this in
teresting subject.
The balance of power has been a fertile theme for
defamation and argument, in all the political dis
cussons Of Europe for the last hundred and fifty
years. 1t does not appear, however, to have been
wisely acted on in any one instance, except the
war Of the Spanish succession and even then, the
allies committed the egregous (but too frequently
blunder of wagng hostilities, after all the fair OBJ
jects Of the war had been attained. This was years
before its conclusion, when the balance of power
wes-as in almost all other cases during this pc
rodmade the pretence for the selfish designs ofthe
parties using it. They generally fought to OK
haustion; and thus gave much ground for the saying
which has been repeatedly applied to them:
Now Europe is balanced. neither side prevails;
For nothing is left in either Of the scales. .
Nevertheless the balance of power has been a
standing doctrine of European statesmen and is still
expounded for the benefit of those whom it may
concern, whatsoever an event occurs of sufficient
magnitude, real or supposed, to justify its formal
announcement. The latest instance is that of the
distinguished French premier, NJ Guizot-a man
of eminent and general talent, as well as of high
reputation as statesman. He is doubtless fully
entitled his fame in the former respect, and in
great degree in the latter. We accord to M. Guzot
the greet merit of pacific dispositions and of more
than the common candor of Statesmen; and we are
persuaded Also that he possesses an extraordinary
snbety of intellect, which will enable him. suit
able emergencies to find dsiingues not altogether pal
pable to ordinary discernment.
What necessity, for example, was there for his
declaration in reference to the balance pow
er in America more than there was for such dec
aration with respect to ASIA when Great Britain, by
her hostiities with China, and her conquest OF Scnde,
materially deranged the balance Of power in that
tHf thax lo cd
without any declaration with regard TO the perls
that threatened upset the balance, from England
aggrandzement and her annexation of near two mil
lions of inhabitants and an ample territory, by the
British war upon the Ameers of Scinde, and by the
annexation of an important island on the coast of
China to the British dominions. We heard not a
word, then, from him, about the preservation even
prospectively of the equilibrium of power in Asia;
although il is notorious that, so far as European
powers are concerned, Great Britain holds there a
vastly preponderatng weight Of resources and infu-
ence An extensive part of Asia is near to France
as America and even its remote provinces near
as any part of America which the United States,
in tho event of with Mexico, are likely to seek
a permanent dominion.
II cannot therefore, be alleged that remoteness of
interests was the reason of his silence particularly
as the power aggrandized was that which, from the
fields Of Cressy and of Agncourt to that of Water
loo has SO often welded her lance in fierce and
cessfu contests with France. This last is consid-
Grafton, which, with Others induces MS to believe
that il not from any particular view 10 English
interests that M. Guzot introduced his recent dec
aration; but that it is intended to have reference,
in certain conjunctures, to the aggrandizement Of
France herself. Wonderful are the into
which men frequently fall in reasoning from them
selves-from their own motives and PASSIONS to
those of others. Not seldom they overlook the
certain conclusions dcducible from an impartial ex-
animation of their own bosoms, and blunder into
,.c. tha Of hnae xub lev
should draw. Mr.. Hume furnishes memorable
instance in the conduct of James II, at the most
critical period of his life. He remarks in substance,
(for we quote from memory,) that it was surprising
that James, in urging on his innovations upon the
religion of his country, did not reflect that the same
zeal which moved his own heart in behalf Of his
ligon, would actuate that Of his countrymen in de-
fence of theirs. II is often vastly important for
statesmen to summon all their powers of scrutiny TO
analyze the motives and views Of their own minds,
that they may understand the real nature of what is
doing by coiemporaneous statesmen--the real i'm.
port of their declarations, well the obrio
meaning, which may be intended TO catch the car
and soothe the feelings but which will not prove the
accepted Interpretation when the hour for acton
comes Let British statesmen examine TINS declara.
ton of France, by the light of their own views and
4 proceedings for the last fifty years; and they will
probably, find in il purpose of intervention which
| they will not cherish or invoke. We are to realize
the circumstances Of the Gallo union, that we may
give full and exact exposition of M. Guziots dec.
laration. The text is very general, and therefore
NAV admit of a wide latitude Of commentary. Or
the surface, it appears disnteresed declaration tc
| mediate, or to fght--to use oratory or persuasive
force-as the state of things might demand, for ths
purpose of sustaining and enforcing the existing
equilibrium Of power among the nations possessing
il, on the continent Of America. If the declaration
had come from power Interested by the Amplitude
of its domain in our hemisphere, ii would have
seemed rational anxiety for the preservation o
what already belonged TO il, and which, from thu
| gitterng nature Of the prize, might attract covet
GUS eyes; but from one which had, by next
door neghbor and powerful rival, been cur
| tailed of the rich dominions which she once held II
it, and reduced 70 two three small islands, and thu
sickly damps of contracted colony in South Amer
| ca il wears the aspect of such disnteresed phi
anthropy as equals the generosity of Alexander IL
restoring Porus to his conquered kingdom. But
4 probably f we scrutinize the matter the very cir
cumsance Of this scant pattern of interest in the i'm
mense continent, may account for the declaration
upon principle, which can readily be discovered II
it, by the subtlety Of M Guizos intellect the ca
pacity of other Gallo statesmen, into whose hands thu
reins of power may fall. The declaration ma,
be made to serve the same purposes which the prin
ciple Of the balance Of power has, have befor
mentioned, often served in the politics of Europe
that is, to constitute pretext for conceang or JUS
1 tifying the selfish designs of the parties who hav
used t. There would be no difficulty in French
statesman--M. Theirs, for example-of the presen
school, or In M, Maurepas or M. Talleyrand o
the ancient regime, making out right in France
after necessary interference on the ground of phi
lanthropy to come in for better slice of Americ,
than two or three thirdrate islands, or the mus
quito swamps and inundated valleys ola narrow striI
Of the western tropics. To interfere, and to be pait
for interference, seems to be very nearly regular
connexon Of things, as DOCTORS attendance ant
bill Of fees-at least, so read history, and other
have read il so before me. But there some othe
important views Of the subject, which propose L
defer to another number.
AN AMERICAN.