The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-25

The Koszta Case-Brisish and other Foreign
Mea0lers.
1t appears that England and France have de-
clined to join Austria, Russia and Prussia, in
crushing the United States We trust that we
are properly grateful for their forbearance.
Less merciful Powers, in view OF SO great an
outrage as the protection OF an unfortunate
exile under the American flag, might have re-
solved on summary course OF punishment.
The United. States might have been publicly
chastised in the sight OF the whole wOrld-in
fact, Heaven only knows what measure of humi-
lation we might have been forced to undergo
had the two leading Powers of Europe been
disposed to regard our frailties with less indul
gence The least return we can make to Eng
land is to wink at the next protectorate she
establishes in Central America or to come out
boldly in defence of the usurpation Of Burmah
Nor can we do less. by way Of showing our
gratitude to France. than give our moral and
physical countenance to the policy by which
she is running and depopulating one of the finest
island groups in the Pacific.
Seriously there is something entirely foreign
to our notions of right and wrong in the con-
sultation which is said to have been held be-
tween the governments OF Europe on the con-
duct Of Captain Ingraham. In such matters
we cannot regard nations in any other light
than we would Individuals and if we were to
find half dozen of our neighoors calmly ad-
Indicating on a private quarrel between our
selves and the gentleman over the way, we
should certainly be inclined, at first blush, to
place the selfconstituted jury on the same
footing with our adversary. What concern
have Russia and Prussia with our rela-
menace frighten them; or have they SO little
discretion, that they cannot conceal their
hatred of our tree institutions and must needs
seize every opportunity of showing it to the
world Above all, what right have England
and France to NEEDLE, either on our side or
against US? We are not thank Heaven, in such
a position that we are unable to vindicate our
rights and defend our citizens without foreign
aid. If the popular verdict of the United States
dictates certain course of action to the govern
ment, that course will be pursued quite indie
pendently Of the opinion which foreigners may
form of its wisdom; and we shall have right
to look with equal jealousy and indignation
on the condescending approval Of England and
the open hostility OF Russia. Both are imper-
tinent and evince in equal measure ignorance
of our national status and overweening AFRO
gance on the part of neutral Powers.
OF the two we prefer the conduct of our open
foes to that of our pretended friends. Towards
the former at all events, we can act with equal
trankness to their own We can say to Prussia
and Russia: You espouse the cause Of Austria
from sympathy with the tyrannical principle
on which its government is based. and from
fellow feeling with its despotism. You side
with Austria against US because our system
and yours are antagonistic; because we favor,
you crush liberty; we assert, you destroy
freedom of speech and thought; we protect
you betray and punish exiles. There can be
nothing in common between you and us; and
it is rendering us a service for which we are
not ungrateful to take every opportunity of
reminding us of the fact. As enemies of ours
you have Away acted, and as enemies we shall
continue to view you.
With England and France, on the other hand,
it is no easy matter to pursue an equally trans
parent course. Great Britain has the honesty
to approve, or at least to decline to dis
approve of the course taken by Captain
Ingraham But can we regard this as reli-
able evidence Of her good will towards Us?
Can any sane man do SO, when she is striving
system by erecting protectorates within few
miles of our frontier,-when she is spending
money and influence to raise Cuba into second
Hayti-with twice its power and twice its
wealth at our very doors, SO as to undermine
the institutions of our Southern States?-when
she is straining every nerve to prevent the ma
tural expansion of this republic, and openly
deriding the Monroe doctrine?-when the YES
sells Of her navy are daily violating the law of
nations, and subjecting our merchantmen to
injury and our flag to insult? Can we place any
reliance on the proAered friendship of two
Powers which, not twelve months ago, set their
hearts on crippling our future prospects Of ter
ritorial advancement by soliciting our sigma
ture to bargain where all the advantage
would have been on their side and all the loss
{ n ours?
There may-and we have always thought
tn ere will-come time when the people of
CIR, Eat Britain and France will successfully
soil, ut the alliance of the United States and
our Wotection against the ambitious designs of
RUSS o.; but until that day comes there can be
no sue b thing as lasting. solid bond OF friend
ship b etween us. Motives for such union are
equally wanting on both sides and so long as
the:prese ut state of things endures European
interferer &c in our relations with foreign
Powers VII be equally nugatory and imper-
tnent. Lin ked and bound together by q
hundred ties Of selfinterest and mutual
obligation, the various States Of Europe may
require to coniult their neghbors on every i'm
portant international movement. Foreign ap
proval or Gems ure may be a matter of the