The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-02-24
Mr.. BENNEFPS LETTERS FROM EUROPE.


The Condition or the Old WorId-Ehe Posi-
ton or the UniIed States-The Mexican
War--starvation and Society In Europe
Misery and Money Abroad, &c. &c,
The Legislative bodies of both France and Eng
land are now in session. The sovereigns Of both
have delivered their speeches-and the debates
OF each body now begin TO fill the newspapers to
very considerable extent The subjects which
engage their attention of a novel ard extraor-
binary kind. One proton Of these matters con-
sists OF the intrgues of courts, the marriages of
prineos-the extinction OF treaties; another por-
ton Is forInsd OF tho distress Of the people, the
gimmsrinss of instruction and revolution, and
the new attitude forced upon Europe towards
America All the commercial restrictions and
laws heSstofore put in force against the United
States by England sndFrance, have been broken
which prevail in both countries. The awful de-
fciency of the crops has produced n CONNER
oiSl revolution which will throw the balance of
wealth into the lap OF the United States in few
short years, and make our country the great lead
ing power OF the commercial world.
There is also every reason to believe that the
deficiency Of the British and French harvests to
support the populations of each country, will
and not an accident, happening IN 1s46. The po-
pulation of the British kingdom is nearly thirty
millions--'hat OF France reaches thirty-hve mil
ions-but the state ofagriculture in each, is such
as to be unable to support such vast mass of
human existence, without an increasing and per-
manent supply from the United States Tell the
young men of enterprise in the United States to
so a farming. hereafter, Western Europe will
mil 0f
food for an increasing population. This relative
position OF the two continents will throw the ba-
lance of trade permanently in favor of the United
States-and ultimately draw to America the great
wealth o the old world.
From these views it will be seen that new and
extraordinary state of relations has grown
up between America and Europe. How
ever friendly they may appear--whatever at
titude of kindness they may put on, tho
governments of Western Europe possess feel
ings OF dislike, fear, and hatred to the United
States. The people of Great Britain and
France may feel differently, when they have sense
and intelligence to feel at all but their govern
ments dread and fear the influence and wonder
fully growing power of the government at WASH
ington. No matter who may be President, he
must expect the like attacks from the European
OF Mr. Folk. The Mexican war, however it may
end. is a greater blow to the influence of Europe
in the old and new world, than any other event
that has taken place since the declaration Of indie
pendence. II England and France could inter-
fere with success between the United States and
Mexico, and in favor Of the latter, they would do
50 in a moment, even in a torcible shape. But
they dare not-they are paralysed-they are thun-
der struok-they are bound hand and foot by the
condition Of their commercial relations and their
dependence for food on the fertility of the Ameri-
can soil. This dependence will increase-not
diminish-as years pass away. Here is Paris and
egreat portion OF France, vergng to the brink OF
famine, and its awful political consequences, such
were formerly exhibited in 1890 or '9l-and one
OF the principal resources of the present govern
ment for preserving order and filling hungry bel
lies, is the removal Of all restrictions on the COM
mercial relations with the United States, in the
article OF food. In England the same condition of
things exists, and will continue to exist
Therefore do / say to the young men of the Uni
ted States, go TO work-turn farmers-take hold of
the plsugh-culuvate the earth-raise food for
Europe. AL the corn laws of France and Eng
land have been broken to pieces, never more to
be renewed. The population of these countries
have outrun, and will osrun, the means OF SUBJ
sisence. The deficiency of next year, in the arti-
Gle OF food, will be greater than that Of the last
year. The chances are that not only perma-
ncnt high price will be affixed to all American
breadstufs hereafter, but that the rates will adj
vance No one who has not seen Europe in all
It's magnifcence and misery, can realise the novel
relations which have now been precipitated upon
the old and new world.
One of the curious phenomena of the age is
the horrid mixture Of livolity and sadness which
spread through the debates of the two Legislative
bode. OF France and England. On the one side,
we see the ludicrous and laushabe importance
given TO the marriage OF u young Frenchman
from the banks OF the Seine, to young and pretty
Spanish gl from the centre Of Spain. On the
other hand, the little weight attached TO the
misery of The people--the wretched peasantry, in
a state Of starvaton-ihe dead and the dying for
the want of those common crumbs which fall in
such abundance from the tables of the rich and
lofty mig also note the ridiculous importance
and oceans OF fne false sentiment thrown away
upon Cracow and the last ray OF ancient Poland.
The iron despotism of the three great monarches
of Eastern Euiope 10 thing that admits OF but
one opinion, from freedom on earth or in heaven.
Despotism, in its mildest form, is an unnatural,
but only transition state Of society; but the fuss
made about Cracow, when the people of France
and Great Britain are dying of starvation, is the
veriest fanfaronade imaginable. There is a great
talk of war in certain portions of Europe-but
do not believe that war is possible condition to
any Of the existing monarchies, except Russia.
Inc present regimes can just preserve order, and
commune Their own existence, by their annual re-
venues The French Government, since 1880,
mas even been more profuse in public expendi.
'ures In the course Of these sixteen or seven
teen years oil peace, about two hundred millions
OF dollars have been added to their national
debt what would it be ia war7 Such is
the financial condition OF the European govern.
ments that itissi the great capitalists. such a,
Hothschilds, u rings, &c keen tho 49,. r