Polynesian., 1851-03-01
PROGRESS OF COMMERCE AND IspusrRY

ouS SSisiSC Which, tuC PRESS ulIHut TcuuCI I'D
the public, if it were so disposed, would be
10 destroy that system of monstrous prejudic-
es which still retains in servitude the mind of
Europe. Talk as we please Of enlighten-
ment, we are still barbarians. Scarcely
anything we believe is true, scarcely any
thing we do is right. Pope's philosophy was
rdicuied under the name of optimism, while,
whatever We may profess theoretically. ours
practically is sheer penurism. We worship
all sorts Of pictures which we set up in the
place of truth, and degrade our understand
Ings by converting them into a mere basis
to uphold a superstructure Of falIacies and
sOphistries.
For example, no opinion is more univer-
sally accredited than that we ought to pre-
serve what is called the balance of power in
Europe. There is no such balance, and
never was. 1t is mere fiction Of the brain,
a trick invented to enable kings 10 make war
upon each other at pleasure, for the purpose
Of expressing or imPoverishng their subjects
and employing number Of favoriies as gen
erals, admirals, Sc, aud obstructing the
march Of knowledge aud civilization. TO be
convinced of this, we have but TO cast our
eyes over the map of our Continent What
balance can there be between nations so
different in population, wealth, and territory
Russia, at the present moment, possesses
sixtv-five millions of inhabitants, Austria
thiriy-seven millions, France thiriy-six, Eng
land two hundred millions, Prussia fourteen,
Denmark nc-and-a-quarter, and Spain per-
haps about twelve, not to mention Belgium,
Switzerland, Holland, Sweden, sc. Where
and how can there be any balance with states
Of such relative proportions? Turkey is sup
posed, in spite of its Asiatic character, to
occupy place in this system. and we have
seen Egypt, purely African country in all
respects, dragged in head and shoulders, and
compelled to play a part in the farce.
Another error Of equal magnitude, and
leading, ifpossible, TO still worse consequence
es, is the fear with which millions are taught
to look on that solitary nation, which, by the
force of knowledge and Independent spirit,
has secured to itself the blessings OF self
gOvernment-we mean, of course, the United
States. Numerous acts are put in practice
to blind us with respect to the American peo
pie. They are spoken of as foreigners, they
are placed by many journals in the same
category with Russia, and profusion of in
genuty is lavished on the attempt to make
them objects Of popular dislike But what is
the real state Of the case? The English ma
lion has been divided into two parts, of which
the greater has settled in America, since it
cannot now be doubted that of men Of purely
English blood, a majority have expatriated
themselves to enjoy greater share of free
dom and prosperity among the reclaimed
wiIdernesses of the New World They are
still, therefore, to all intents and purposes,
our countrymen; and, FIVE will suffer them.
must always continue to sympathize with US!
in whatever is just and upright. With us
they continue to trade to an enormous extent;
the ocean only constitutes a highway be-
tween us; our shores are almost made to-
touch by steam; we are neighbors, there
fore, as well as brethren, and the only con-
ceivable difference between US is that we
remain under the empire Of old European
ideas, from which they, by crossing the At
lantic, have emancipated themselves.
As Justice should regulate the relations of
all men, it should more especially regulate
those of brethren. We are, accordingly, not
at all disposed to uphold or commend the
United States when they display grasping
or encroaching spirit, either towards US or
any other people. That we live under infe-
rior institutions-that we waste our revenues
on unworthy objects-that we cripple our
selves by adhering to antiquitated follics-isI
no reason whatever why they should not act
with the most perfect fairness towards US
At the same time it is scarcely conceivable
that mighty republic, composed of anglo
Americans. should tolerate the Interference
of anv monarchical state in its relations with
its neighbors They look upon the feudal
ideas Of Europe with contempt, and having
risen far above their influence, will unques-
tionably 60 on extirpating them from the
American continent with as much speed as
possible.
In doing this. however, they should show asl
much courtesy as may be found consistent with
iustice towards al communities whatsoever,
and more especially towards England, which,