The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-21

In the Pulpit.
It is a singular fact in the history Of enHght-
eminent, progress and civilization, that ut the
present day there are but two nations on the
globe possessing that strongest palladium Of public
rights, national prosperity, and popular education
free and untrammeled press In all other countries,
both of the old and new continents, in ependent
press is q thing known only by repute, rs being
among the great institutions of England and tho
United States, and Of the principles and operations
of which mere faint idea is entertained elsewhere
throughout the world but never permitted to be put
in practice. There are, moreover, only two great
capitals to be found in which the newspaper press
SITS in its highest order Of intellect, and in which it
has attained its fullest development OF liberty. These
are London and New York. Throughout the whole
continent of Europe, the liberty of the press is en-
tirely suppresse and practically unknown The
governments being, one and all, military in their
instincts and despoic in their rule, watchfuy guard
against the growth or birth of sue powerful in.
stIument for the establishment and protection of
popular institutions, and such promoter Of the
gradual developement ofpublic opinion, and Of the
higher principles Of morality, justice and progress.
BY the operations principally of this benefcent
agent England and the United States stand, a. the
present day, pre- eminent oil countries, nations,
and languages, for the freedom Of their institu lions,
the prosperity of their people, and the powerful in
fuence which they WELD throughout the globe. Bat
where this liberty of the press does not exist there
despotism reigns uncontrolled, the expansion Of
commerce s checked, general prosperity is unkno Fn,
and popular rights are solely dependant upon the
caprice of arbitrary power.
We have been led to these remarks by observing,
for time past, the tone Of the London journals,
Of all ranks, relative to the two continents Of Europe
and America. Fully, freely, and fearlessly they
discuss the policy and condition Of things exist
ing on both hemispheres. TIE London press,
taken in the aggregate, may be considered fairrs
presentation of public opinion in England, untram
meled by military governments or political GEN.
sorsbips. 1t is refreshing to read the articles,
which apgear, from time to time, in the columns
of the leading journals, denouncing, sometimes,
the oppressive and unconstitutional acts Of the
various governments sovereigns of Europe,
and sometimes the conduct Of their own gov
eminent at home. But whether their remarks
have relevancy to foreign powers or domestic
government they alike written in style Of truth
and independence. As it is in London sos it also in
New York. The enlightened journals Of this metro
polls are alike free in their criticisms and unrestricted
in their condemnation of what is despotic unjust
in the actions of the British, French, Spanish and
ether European governments. The BALANCED is fairly
adjusted by the free and unshrinkng dsqustions of
the London press the conduct Of the United States
and on everything connected with eur government
and people, o that with the measure wherewith we
mete to all countries il is melted to US again.
As specimen of the character of London journal
ism, we gave the other day three very curious ar
ticies extracted from the London Times, in refer
ence to the events taking place in this country. one
Of them is very severe criticism the statesman
ship of the Secretary Of State relative to Peru and
the Lobos Islands, in which Mr.. Webster receives
an unsparing Aagelation, for the unsoundness Of
his opinions as displayed in his acts and letters in
relation thereto. Another is bitter animadver-
sion on the grasping disposition of the United
States and their overweening thirst of annexation
as manifested in their desire to absorb all contigu
Gus territory; and especially, as the first and most
delicious mouthful to get hold OF, the island Of
Cuba. The third is a very severe and merited con-
demnation of the disreputable scenes enacted in
the Congress Of the United States previous to the
termination Of the last session of Congress, wherein
several members played part which reflected no
credit themselves or their country, and did
benefit to the cause Of free government or civil
ization.
In most Of the censures SO boldly and fearlessly
launched against all Objectionable courses, in
whatever country, by our contemporaries in Lon.
don, we perfectly agree We agree With the Times
in its ce sorship Of Mr. Webster's craftsmanship in
the guano affair, and we also cordially assent
to the business Of its structures upon the dis.
graceful scenes which, from time to time, spring
up in Congress, making by.word Of legisla
A.. Il.
lightenment. But as respects the article of the
Times, our national spirit Of ggraniizement,
and the desire which prevails in this country to grasp
every contiguous territory and annex it to this re-
public, we beg leave to cast back the whole Of
these aspersions, and them down the throat of
that representative Of public opinion in England,
much more applicable to the English people than to
US. 1t is very amusing to see London journals or
English statesmen gravely condemning the people
of the United States for disposition extend their
territory by the acquisition Of Cuba, while the world
is Disputed and humanity outraged by the very re-
membrance Of the horrors which their cupidty has
produced and sill Produces in whatever quarter of
the globe their flag Of spoiaion has foated for tbs
last two or three centuries Could the millions Of
Irish who, for the last four Eve years, have been
forced to seek shelter from the nvages Of famine,
superinduced by English misrue, either in the pau
pers grave or on the free shores Of this republic
could they be nov questioned as to the mildness,
beneieencc and unSelfshness Of the Roglish govern
ment, what an answer Of hate and vengeance would
be shrieked in the ears Of the humane monitor Of
the Tunes, who is 80 pharisaical as TO 500
the mote in his brothers eye, while he will
net pluck out the beam from his own eye. Let the
ravaged and devastated region Of Hindostan,
with its hundred millions Of people at the feet
Of their relentless conqusror, and its vast treasures
the aggregation of three thousand years-plunder.
cd and carried of as spoik Of the victors-letH
record its testimony Of the pure, uncovetous, and
Christian Like character Of English policy. Let