The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-04-03

against the great Northern Powers-The course of
France i'm this matter correct-Good signs from
France-Ireland against the Ecclesiastical Titles
BilI-Russells dilemma = oof that revolution can
not 20 backwards in England-The upsho, of the
"PapaI aggression THE People of England, not
her Church, the great conseryators OF sound Chris
tianity-Turkey is the practically Christian Gov
eminent of the age.
New YORK, March 81, 1851.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
The continental news by the arrival of last
week the Arctic) is of no startling import. Its
most important feature tells of the protesting
attitude Of the Swiss Cantons under the threat of
Russia to send forty thousand Austrians against
them, 6y way OF roofing out the Italian and other
political refugees who have taken shelter there.
wrote you week or two since of this threat,
and of the preparations to carry it into effect
The Cantons (through their respective Govern
ments) deny all knowledge Of the plots against
the Governments of other Continental States,
which Mazzini ct al are accused Of seeking to
carry out and Offer themselves, to expel the Lib
eralists from their midst, without kind inter-
ference to that end from abroad. II they are
quick about it, it ia probable that the Absoutists
will refrain from the threatened armed occupation
of Switzerland, as in the present condition Of the
European popular mind, and with their present
stupendous reactory measures on hand, (which,
for success, require quiet peoples everywhere I'M
til the new chains completely forged) it would
be next to madness on their part to seek need
less occasions for increasing the odium in which
they are held everywhere. So the Swiss them
selves to save their lives and property from the
brutal effects of Austrian armed occupation, will
doubtless soon pack Mazzini and his compatriots
off to England, from whence 1t is sincerely to be
hoped that he may soon find his way over to the
United States In bold conception, energy, de-
voted patriotism, and iron will to carry out his
resolves he has but one equal among living Eu-
ropeens - Kossuth; while as for the feryency Of
his Jeffersonian republcanism, and the brillisncy
of his genius, he is without rival, at least in
that quarter Of the world. His words are all
thoughts, his sentences distinct and abstractive
ideas. In common with almost all Liberalists
in lands wherein the people have not been per-
mitted to exercise the right Of selfgovernment,
but are practical slaves to classes about them, his
views of civil liberty are utopian IN many partic-
ulars. In this country he will feel the blessings
of Government without coming in contact with it,
or, indeed, ever seeing it's traces except in our
custom houses A very short experience will
teach him the truth of the,fundsmental axiom OF
our system-that Government is best which gov
erns least-which interferes as little as possible
with the citizens right to do as he pleases. The
theory of the European Democrat (who models
his views by the existing condition of things i'm
mediatey around HIM Is that it is the duty Of
Government to do everything for everybody-to
provide food, or, in other words, remunerative
labor for the poor to educate the children of all,
&c. As in Europe, bad Governments have work
ed most Of the evils which have 80 sorely af-
iicted its peoples, there is sound philosophy to
some extent in demanding that they shall repair
the damages. Here, however, the iaissez nous fare
theory has operated to such good purpose as to
prove that in working up Government, in peo-
pling land and making it do its share for the
benefit of the human race, 1t is best to leave man
as much as possible to his own resources, and to
be guided generally, by his own sense Of right
and wrong under the restraint Of the sentiment Of
his neighbors rather than Of swords and muskets.
Hecker had not been in Illinois six months before
he advised his former utopian Democratic coad-
tutors Of the Continent that, as he and they had
worked their traverse, they were destined forever
TO fail in the grand end Of their lsbors in increas
ing the liberties, prosperity, and happiness Of
the masses that here, every one did pretty much
as be pleased, and that all lin the aggregated pros
pered, and were equally fostered and protected
by the laws. He renowned his connection with
the social idea of the age and proclaimed 1t to be
the humbug Of the century; citing America as
she is, to prove the soundness Of his VIEWS
A speck Of war is lowering over Sardinia. The
commander Of the Austrian army, which, as
wrote you, was assembled few weeks since to
force her Government to be as reactory as her
neighbors, has duly delivered his employers mes
sage, demanding, in the name Of Russia, Prussia,
and Austria, the expulsion Of the Italian emf
grants the suppression Of the liberty Of the press
and of the tri-colored flag, and an immediate re-
Cancellation with the Court Of Rome. The Pied
montese Government refuses acquiescencc In
these demands, and, unlike Switzerland, seems
disposed to depend on the people and Govern
ments Of France and England TO ward of the
threatene cd invasion II lie not to be doubted that
she will ultimately be forced TO yield oil asked,
as England and France do not entertain the least
idea of embroiling themselves in the affairs OF
any others, In which their own direct and pslpa-
BILE interest is not Immediately involved. No pos
sbe result Of the confused condition OF things
ministerial now existing In England can install q
ministry which would move foyer TO aid any
struggling people A prospect Of more extended
markets would certainly bring about indirect
British aid for continental revolutionary move
ments, bat none that might get war On her
hands. The last twenty FIVE years history of the
diplomacy Of the British Government, 1T proves
susht settles the fSGbthst she will fight only for
money. and for that only when, as In India she Is
suys Of getting back from her conquests two dol
lars for every one they may cost her. As for
France her sound republicans are very properly
sverse to interference with the affairs Of any
others They feel that the hope Of European
freedom Is entirely involved In the result Of their
own experiment 1.-THE French arc prosperous,
happy, and at peace with al the world for the
next five years, under republican government, |
were Russis's millions Of men and money doubled
He nigh. have cited America 10 prove the sdvsntass
plenty groom Era. '