Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-01-12
Ibc Dailp uiroil1ian.
The Proposed Tripartite Treaty.


away By the irresistible tide of affairs IN new
country, Is, to the apprehension OF the Presl'
dent TOO obvious to require a labored argument
The project rests on principles applicable, II at
all TO Europe, where international relations
are in their bass of great antiquity, slowly
modified Tor the most part in the progress oi
umeand events. and not applicable to America,
which, but lately waste, is filling up with
intense rapidity, and adjusting on natural prln-
ciples those territorial relations which, on the
first discovery ofthe continent, were in u good
degree fortuitous.
The comparative history of Europe and
America even for a sing gIe century, shows this.
In 1852, England, France, and Spain were not
materially different in their political position IN
Europe from what they now are. They were
ancient, mature ,consodaed States, established
in their relations with each other and the rest
of the world-.the leading powers of Western
and Southern Europe. Totally different was
the state of things in America The United
States had no existence people. A line
of English colonies, not numbering much over
a million of inhabitants, stretched along the
coast. France extended from the Bay OF st.
Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico. and from the
Aeganes TO the Mississippi, beyond which,
westward, the continent was wilderness, oc'
cuped by wandering savages, and subject 10
conflicting and nominal claim on the part OF
France and Spain. Every thing in Europe
was comparatively fixed; every thing In AmerI-
ca provisional, ,ncipcnt, and temporary. except
the law OF progress, which is as organic and
vital in the youth Of States as of individual
men. A struggle between the provincial au-
lhorities of England and France. for the posses
sion of a petty stoekade at the confluence OF
the Monongahela and the AIeghany, klndled
the seven years war; at the close OF which the
great European Powers,not materially affected
in their relations at home, had undergone as
tonishing changes on this continent. France
had disappeared from the map OF America,
whose nmost recesses had been penetrated by
her Jealous missionaries and her resolute and
gallant adventurers, England had added the
Canadas to her transatlantic domnlons, Spain
had become the mistress of Louisiana; so that,
in the language of the Archbishop OF Mexico
in 1910, she claimed Siberia as the northern
Boundary Of New Spain
Twelve wears only from the treaty OF Paris
elapsed, and another great change took place,
fruitful of still greater changes to come. The
American revolution broke out. 1t involved
England. France, and SPAN in a tremendous
struggle and at its close the United State OF
America had taken their place III the Family
of Nations. In Europe tho Ancient States
were restored substantially to Their former
equilibrium; but new element OF incalcu-
liable importance in reference to territorial ar
rangements Is hencelorh To be recognised IN
America.
Just twenty years from the close of tho war
of the American revolution, France, by trea-
ty with Spain, of which the provisions have
never been disclosed, possessed herself oi
Louisiana, but did SO only 10 cede 1t 10 the U.
nited States; and In the same year Lows and
Clark started on their expedition TO plant the
flag Of tho United States on the shores OF the
Pacific Ia 1919 Florida was sold by Spain
TO the United States, whose territorial posses
sons in this way had been increased threefold
in half century. This last acquisition was
so much n matter of course, that it had been
distinctly foreseen by the Count Amanda, then
Prime Minister of Spain, as long ago as
1888.
But even those momentous events are but
the forerunners Of new territorial revolutions
still more stupendous. A dynastic struggle
between the Emperor Napoleon and Spain,
commencing in 1908, convulsed the Peninsula
The vast possessions Of the Spanish Grown on
this continent vice-royalties and captain gen
eralships filling the space between California
and Cape Horn-one after another asserted
their Independence. No friendly Power inEu
rope at that time was able, or If able, was will
ling to succor SPAIN or aid her to prop the
crumhling bnttresses other colonial empire
So far from it, when France. in 1923, threw an
army of 100 600 men into Spain to control her
domestic politics, England thought 1t necessa-
ry to counteract the movement by recognizing
the independence of the Spanish provinces IN
America In the remarkable language OF the
distinguished Minister of the day, lu order TO
redress the balance ofpower in Europe he cal
led into existence new world in the West;
somew hat overrating perhapsl the extent OF the
arrangement in the Old World, and not doing
full Justice to the position Of the United States
in America, or their influence on the Tor
tunes of their sister republics on this CONT
nent.
Thus, in sixty years from the close of the
seven years war, Spain, like France, had lost
The last remains of her once imperial posses