The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-08-20


"A liltle Hhs ago and we seemed "a peace with
an Iha world. Now a cloud, no bigger than
mans hand, appears upon the horizon, yet ii
threatens 70 expand and enlarge, until it covers the
whole szy. The protest Of the British Consul 10
regard to the navigation Of the San Juan is the little
cloud that may increase until it bursts into thestoFm
q Wal between England and the United Sates
We Dc NOT see how this MOSQUITO question
j. 70 be settled without a war. England, proud
and dictatorial, has taken position from which it
will be humiliating 20 retreat while the United
States Is determined on the maintenance Of prin-
eiple with which both our honor and our interests
ape connected. With such elements, how can the
the difficulty be adjusted
II this matter should, unfortunately, end in war,
hatinauencewill it have on the civil commissions
now sgitating the Continent Of Europe In 1872
the war between Great Britain and the United
States was but by-play, an episode in the great.
| wars then waging in the world. Then we were
comparatively weak ard feebIe--doubtfu of our
resources and unused to the exercise of our grow
ing powers But now we have attained position
which enables us to act on the offensive as well as
on the defensive. New.we can boldly lay down
and4naintsin system of American foreign policy
whereas before we have been well satisfied with
permitting foreign nations TO do with each other
pretty much what they pleased. Let US now be
forced into with Great Britain, while all the
countries Of the Continent are in a flame Of fevou
tionary warfare, and it will be almost impossible
Il for us to remain neutral in the contests between
arbitrary poweriand liberal principles.
A stale Of war puts nation into an irritable
condition. that the least indgnity, real or fan
eied, is enough to kinde contest with other pow
ers than those with which it was originally fight
ing. Suppose we were at war with England, and
/ that the present contest between Hungary and the
combined force of Austria and Russia were going
on; would it require much cause for American
sailors, sympathizing as they do with the Hunga-
rians, to mistake a Russian for an English ship!
Would our naval officers, disguised as they are
q the interference of France in Roman affairs be
very backward in taking offence at the slightest
sneer that might fall from the lips of a commander
Of French ship Our crews have large pro-
portion Of foreigners among them, and they would
be disposed to take up the cause Of their struggling
brethren in Europe. A war, then, with England
would almost necessarily involve us ia war with
the acknowledgements Of Gentraland EasternE Europe
In addition to the total opposition between the
principles on which the Russian and American
governments are founded, there is a direct and
paipable conflict Of interests between the two peo
pie. The Russians aim at Conslantinople, and
desire 70 extend their boundaries towards the East
in ouier that they may grasp the trade Of Asia,
and if possible, wrest from England the sceptre
Of Indian trade and Indian possessions But we
are on the same track ourselves. We have got
California, but the Russians have not got Constan
tinope. Our interests, then, as well as our SYM
pathes, would lead Us 70 engage with Russia if
the least excuse were offered.
And even if we were singIe-handed and alone
ia tins struggle with Russian despotism and Eng
lish Acknowledgment if we had not on our side
the struggling Hungarians, the incensed Italians,
and the starving Irish--what would be our chances
of success2 Ourcredit is unequalled; our United
States bonds eagerly sought for in every market
IN Europe and America. But dare England in
crease her national debit Can Russia command
credit to carry on a war Of six months duration?
Every body knows the state Of British finances;
but it was only the other day at the London
Tavern that Mr., Golden came out and told the
condition of the Russian exehequer The friends
Of Russia tried to stop the great free-trader in his
revelations they seemed to feel that he was deal
ing the Gar deadler blow than even that which
Georgey and Dembinski have struck in the valleys
Of the Thesis and the Danube But the word has
gone forth, and it cannot be recalled. Russia has
little or no money. Hergovernment is essentially
government Of conspiracies and revolutions
Hence Russia will, in future, have no credit.
Il the war must come, then, let it come. In the
great struggle between the Republicans and the
Cossaeks, America will be found fighting, where
Sshe has always been morally--at the head Of the
column Of Progress and Democracy.