Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-30
OUR POSITION IN REGARD TO THE
EUROPEAN WAR.

Whilst Russia and Turkey have at length
disturbed the peace Of the world, and are now,
after various efforts of diplomacy to avoid war,
engaged in actual hostilities whilst France,
England, and Austria are likely to be EN-
broiied in the same conflict, we are happily
living in repose. quietude, and peace. We can
not well imagine any causes that will be likely
to plungeSus into this anticipated general
European war. We have no interests, then,
that invite us to participation in the battles.
We have no question at home to be settled or
affected by their results. None of the affairs
of this continent in which we claim to have a
very special concern and interest, can receive
either benefit or advantage from the strifes Of
the Turk and the Russian.
Whilst they are fighting, we can go on cul-
tivating the arts of peace-developing our re-
sources, extending our trade. We will, no
doubt, be Yankees enough to make the ca
amities and miseries of war source of profit
to ourselves. Nor is it amiss in us to do So
1t is precisely what every other nation has done
from the most remote, up to the most modern
history.
An indisposition to NEEDLE with the affairs
Of other nations is characteristic of this nation.
This lesson has been inculcated by all Of our
most eminent and illustrious statesmen and
patriots. They have taught US not to interfere,
where we have no rights to maintain-no in
terests to subserve. This has become a ma
tional sentiment.
In free counry-in q new country-in
great country like this, where there should be
no paupers but those who are rendered paupers
by disease or incapacity; where every man can
find some compromising toll; where no depart
ment of labor is overstocked-in such a country
it is especially proper that there should be no Of
fcious intermedding-no entangling alliances.
We should only interfere when honor or inter-
est is at stake. Then, there should be no hest
fancy, no shutting, no indecision. For instance,
if European powers should attempt to inter-
fere, to our detriment, with the affairs of this
continent, they should be met promptly and
courageousy. In such manner they would
be met. Whatever difference there may be
about matters of internal policy, there is but
one sentiment among the masses in regard to
foreign affairs and that is this-they will not
NEEDLE with things that do not concern us, but
they will not permit European interference
with our affairs. On this subject we all stand
irrespective Of party.
But whilst we thus express ourselves, we
cannot and we would not check generous sym
pathy with the movements and struggles of
other people in behalf of liberty however va
RANT in lineage-however different in name,
and however remote from us their terrific
ries. Against oppression and against Cypress
ors, we have all the resentment that can be
felt. With the oppressed, the burdened, and
the suffering we have all the sympathy that
lovers of liberty can be supposed to have. We
indulge the hope that the present strife, the
pending war, will tend in its results to promote
the great cause of human freedom, and eman-
cipate from the yoke of despotism some of the
nations and States of Europe.