The weekly Placer herald., 1853-01-15

0AusnsS kuC SpcCtdCIC OI u nation
free from pub ic ''ebt; and if permitted to
pursue our prosperous way for few
years longer, in peace, we may do the
same again.
But it is now said by some that this
policy must be changed. Europe is no
longer separated from US by voyage of
months, but steam navigation has brought
her within few days sail of our shores.
we see more movements and take a
deeper interest in her controversies. Al
though no one proposes that we should
Join the fraternity of potentates who have
for ages lavi>hed the b ood and treasure
OF their subjects in maintaining the "bal-
ance OF power" yet it is said that we
ought to interfere between contending
sovereigns and their subjects, for the pur-
pose of overtbrowing the monarchies of
Europe, and establishing in their place
republican Institutions. 1t is alleged that
we have heretofore pursued different
course from a sense of weakness, but that
now our conscious strength dictates q
change of policy, and that it is conse-
quently our duty to mingle in these con-
tests and aid those who are struggling for
liberty.
This is most seductive but dangerous
appeal to the generous sympahies Of
freemen. Enjoying as we do, the bless
Ings OF free Government, there is no
man having an American heart, who
would not rejoice to see these blessings
extended to all other nations. We cannot
witness the strugg between the oppres-
sed and oppressor, anywhere, without the
deepest sympathy for the former, and the
most anA,"us desire Tor his triumph.-
Nevertheless, is it prudent, or is il wise,
TO involve ourselves in these foreign wars?
Is il indeed true, that we have heretofore
refrained from doing so, merely from the
degrading motive of conscious weakness?
For the honor Of the patriots who have
gone before us, cannot admit it. Men
of the Revolution, who drew the sword
against the expressions Of the mother
country, and pledged to heaven "their
lives, their fortunes, and their sacred
honor" to maintain their freedom, could
never have been actuated by so unworthy
II motive. They knew no weakness or
fear when right or duty pointed the way;
and it is libel upon their fair fame for
US, while we enjoy the blessings for
which they SO nobly fought and bed, to
insinuate it.
The truth is that the course they pursu-
Oo was uiCtdNt ny StCIu SCISc VI
ternational justice-by statesrnanIike
ing not merely to the present necessities,
but to the permanent safety and interest
Of .he country. They knew that the
world is governed less by sympathy than
by reason and force; that it was not pos
sible for tbs nation to become a "propa-
gandist" of free principles, without ar
- tLz l. q
Europe; and the result was more likely
to he the overthrow of Repub lean liberty
here, than its establishment there. History
has been written in vain for those who
can doubt this. France had no sooner
established Rcpub lean form of govern
ment than she manifested a desire to force
ira hlA-..,~-. ! e,o "o,ii. T1er own
historian informs us that, hearing of some
petty acts of tyranny in a neishboriny
principality, the National convention de-
ciared that she wOu d afford succ0r and
fraternity to all nations who wished to re-
cover their liberty, and she gave it in
charge to the Executive power to give
orders to the generals of the French armies
to aid al citizens who might have been,
or should be oppressed in the cause OF
liberty Here was the false step which
led to her subsequent misforunes. She
soon found herself involved in war with
all the rest Of Europe. In less than ten
years her own government was changed
from a Republic TO an Empire; and fina :
ly, after shedding rivers of blood, foreign
powers restored her exi ed dynasty, aud
exhausted Europe sought peace and re-
pose in the unquestoned ascendancy of
monarchial principles. Let US earn wis
dom from her example. Let US remem
ber that Revo utionsts do not always es-
tablish freedom. Our own free inSttu-
tinos were not the offspring Of our Revolu-
ton They existed before. They were
planted in the free charter Of self govern
mrnt under which the English CoInnies
grew up, and our Revolution only freed
us from the dominion of foreign power
whose government was nc varianca with
those institutions. But European nations
have had nosuch training for self govern
ment; and every effort to establish it by
bloody revolutions has been, and must,
without that preparation, continue to be
failure. Liberty, unregulnted by law,
degenerates into anarchy, which soon be-
comes the most horrid of despotiSms.
Our policy is wisely to govern ourselves,
and thereby to set such an example OF
national justice, prosperity and true glory,
as shall teach To all natious the blessings
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