The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-30


Administration was responsible for the senti-
ments which it expressed. TO relieve all ques-
ton upon this subject, one Of the associate edi-
tors, Mr.. PRYOR, has gsllantly come forth over
his own signature. and assumed the response
biliy of having written the article with delibera-
ton and for a purpose. The letter is an ANNA
ted and well-written production, but raises
an issue between the terrapin and teegraphic
divisions of the Democratic party somewhat
similar to that which Mr.. WINTER DAVIS has
got up between the Russian bear and American
eagle.
Now, as the Democratic Revisw requires a
calendar month to swab and load, its gunners
may ne pinked by the musketry of the Fogies
for some days to come. But we presume that
in due course OF periodical it will wear round
and deliver broadside which will fill the flag
ship with blood and splinters, unless in the
meantime the wrath of its commanders be ap-
peased by putting ''shsir calling and election
beyond peradventure.
We are incapable of seizing on the mad
yertent expression of private opinion as theme
of reproach against political party. We did
article of M. PRYoR contained, banner words
wherewith to inspire others with an appre-.
hension which we did not entertain ourselves.
But We condemn the doctrine of the article
precisely for the same reason that its author
condemns the political poetry of Mr. DAVIS
because we consider it pernicious.
When, few days since, we made game of
some ePhemeral questions, digni6ed with the
title Of issues because most of them, mere
measures of expediency, might be decided Ell
Their way without impairing the principles or
checking the way of our country, We stated
It as the duty Of every republican to condemn
every abuse of power and expose every trans
erosion upon the part of those entrusted with
public authority. Such is the organic doctrine
of the Wing party. 1t is a corrollary PROPOSE
ton that we should give no sanction to despot-
ism nor uphold its results anywhere, nor
should we commend the results of its energies
or Its intellect.
The world judges by results; and if the
subjects Of despOtism should be as happy, as
prosperous, as well protected as those of other
governments more free in their forms, where
is the material difference
But we proceed to consider the article in the
UIaOa. # will be found to contain two propo-
sitions:
The first, the policy of encouraging the po-
AIlcal cooperation Of Russia. Experience has
confirmed the wisdom OF avoiding eniangling
alliances. Europe has endeavorsd TO keep up
the equipoise of antagonism. With this object,
she has formed friendships or broken faith,
and when she cannot otherwise adjust the
balance of unequal States, she chucks in bag
Of gold, or a Bourbon. a few guineas, or
Guelphs, to strengthen the weaker against the
more powerful. She has, therefore, little to
show for bad faith AMI intrigue, except the
diaries of GRAMMoNr and HArroN, and an
enormous public debt, based upon the con-
siderarion Of waste and war, and not to be in
any manner realized upon any Bourse or Royal
Exchange whatsoever.
The foreign policy of our Government is
Just the opposite. 1t does not consist, as Mr.
DAVIS supposes, In organizing an antagonism
nor yet, as Mr.. Pryor seems to think, in en-
couraging an alliance offensive and defensive
with any power. 1t is to organize harmonious
relations with all the nations of the EARTH
We must rely upon ourselves, for our insti-
tutions have no true friends except those who
uphold them. The English may condescend
to pa'ronlse their transatlantic cousins. Napo-
leon pay hyPocrilical homage to freedom by
adopting its forms. The Pope may upturn his
Plous eyes In holy benediction ofAnerlcan tolera-
ton, or even the Russian bear may encourage our
advances with snarl OF civility. But we should
look alone to the casual CO operation of other
powers, whatsoever our interests may coincide
with theirs, and not form any permanent alli-
ance offensive OF defensive. We should have
business relations with them, nothing more.
They are not of nor for US. True, when
1t may be IN our power to give material aid
to the oppressed or impoverished without i'm
plieation or Intervention, it should be done
But the Intervention most formidable to Eu
rope is that which shall demonstrate before the
assembled incredibly of the world those grea
results of republican experiment: that neither
MODS nor monarchs are fit to govern; that stand
ing armies are only formidable to those who
feed them; that tax paid priests and privileged
orders will extinguish religion and arrest pro
gress, and that human opinion, like steam, il
only dangerous when it is confined
We need, then, no permanent alliance often
sive and defensive with any powers on earth.
We might wish John Bull to employ hi:
capital in making the great cut at Darien, o.
we mghta as business transaction purchase anc
pay for Cuba or Canada. We might be glac
10 learn that Russia has committed burglar,
upoG Japan, and thrown open her ports to the
commerce of the world. just as perhaps We
might De delighted TO see Tom Hyer or Captain
Rynders demolish some greater rowdy thar
themselves; but 1t would by no means follow
that we should therefore lock arms in ner
pesual alliance with either of those gentlemen
1t would be especially unwse to c,mmi
ourselves to an intimate alliance with Russia
for if she should obtain our aid to crush an,
European power, it would not be for any low
of US or our institutions, slave or free Woul
she not unite with any power In Europe to Al