Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-05
Englond and enc united stetes

II is plainly the interest and the duty of our
government to maintain strict neutrality in re-
gard to the quarrels of other nations, and to avoid
.sentanging alliances" with the strctest vigi-
lance we very much fear, however, from GER
tain indications of the policy likely to be pursued
by Great Britain in the Russio- Turkish war, that
We may vet be forced to take hand in the mat
Ter. Certain il is, that England can never carry
into effect the policy which Lord Clarendon, the
British Minister Of Foreign Affairs, distinctly an
nounces in his dispatches to the Merchants OF
Riga, without producing rupture between the
two countries. He declares that all Russian pro
.duce, 10 ,ohonsOerer belonging, and even IN
neutral ressels shall be lawful prize in the event
OF war. which is equivalent to assertion of their
intention to board aud search every American yes
sci they may meet with on the high seas, suPPos-
ed to be laden with "A cargo of Russian goods.
We have no idea that our government would
submit any such proceeding. The very first at
t.mpt of the kind will be the signal for war, and
as we fought for the principle that the "hag COW
ers the cargo in 1872 we will fight for it again
II the better end. Thus we may be forced TO
render indirect aid to the Czari his conflict with
the allied powers.
America is courted by both parties. Even
while announcing the offensive fright of search, y
Lord Clarendon solicits, through Col. James
Watson Webb, an expression of American sym
pathy in behalf of the cause in which the British
Government is about to embark. On the other
hand distinguished Russian diplomatist writes
TO the Jnited States Consul at London, and in
yokes the aid of the United States in behalf Of
Russia. He thus appeals to American interests
"Russia is the best friend America has at this
moment, and America can help her in the work OF
regeneration America has money, and Russia is
in want of it and no doubt Russia will be glad to
contract debt with America at the rate OF 6per
ceat-not by obtaining cash, but for cash leOrt. la
ships, and he means Of keeping up the ,rar 10Th
those trhO oppose her, America can build hershipS
tlapy extent, large and small, and American ships
can take out Russian seamen for them, as paSsen-
gers, and which neither France nor England can
prevent. England would break with France to-
morrow, could she go back to her original position
with Russia but this she must not be permitted
10 10, III tne NOllu nus " Tt9HL W OCJfeo'
She fears America, but she does not respect
her, and I trust the people of the United States
4 are not blind to this fact; and they never had )
better opportunity than they have at this moment
to teach England to understand her duty"
There is truth in the Russians last paragraph
Beyond doubt we now have it in our power t.
teach England lesson that she would not sooI
forget Thousands of Irishmen, now living il
this country in honorable exile, are burning for
chance to strike blow for their oppressed ant
down-trodden country, and rumors of a contem
plated invasion Of Canada have already reaehe,
our ears.
As we remarked before the interests of tht
country demand and that we should yield to tn
solicitations of neither party. Non Intervention
should be our motto, unless forced to hostilitie
with England by the attempted execu' ion OF tn
odious design announced by the British Minis
ter. In such an event, however, depOre il a
NO r,i,rht the e,anaral yoice wonld hp fur war