Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-21

argues well for the nineteenth century, and
that will form memorable epoch in the his
tory of mankind. In this war, it is now rem
dered almost certain that all the FIRST European
powers will be implicated. They have sought
to avoid and evade it. With that view they
have attempted subtle subterfuge and procras-
tinating diplomacy. But who can control his
fate?" The course of events plainly indicate,
that they must eventually be involved in a
grand European strife. For almost the first
time those natural and jealous rivals, England
and France, stand side by side. 1t is not un-
likely that the jealoYV between them, that led
to such disastrous results during the crusades,
will again break out now. France, however,
has one motive to adhere to England and to
operate effectively against Russia. She remem-
bers, and remembers with chagrin, her terrible
failure in Russia when the great Bonaparte,
for once in his life, was compelled to retire and
retr I. Again, that great European idea Of
the balance Of power, which Russia is seeking
to overthrow, viii tend to bind the two rivals
together. Nor can Austria and Prussia be
neutrals in protracted war. They will be con-
strained to take part in it. Indeed the lesser
European powers will all be likely to be drawn
into it.
The next in the survey is the Chinese rebel
lion or revolution, which burns like slow but
effectual fire. All accounts that we receive
are favorable to the rebels. The likelihood is
that the old dynasty will be overthrown, and
that more enlightened and progressive .au-
thority will be inaugurated. Religion also
enters as a main element into this intestine
strife. Should the rebels succeed, then the
great moral, political, social, and commercial
"Chines ewall" will be thrown down; the idea
of national isolation will be uprooted; and the
mystic seals Of Chinese loneliness and secrecy
will be forever broken. China viii then be-
come what she has never been-one of the
great family of nations.
Here we may mention japan, that other ma.
ton, which, like China, has sought to hide her
self within herself Withdrawing from inter
national comfy, she has lain for ages in unin-
vaded solitude. She has an immense popula-
ton, vast resources, great wealth, a fruitful
soil, and cities equal almost to empires. But
she has shut herself up in seclusion. She has
denied admission to all who have knocked at
her barred gates. Her laws and her religion
make foreign entrance a proclamation, and for
eign citizenship an impossibility. She has
contributed nothing to the great cause Of hui
man progress. She, like China, has studious,
ly kept out of the family Of nations. The pros
perity of her mobiles is only equalled BY the
misery of her lower orders. The latter, cut of
from all the channels of business, trade, and
commerce, are poor, depraved, and unhappy
Our government has wisely sent out squadron
to Japan, to open communication with her.
The Russian emperor has initiated our exam.
ample The government of Japan is now ut.
terly astounded at the visits Of two great stran-
gers, whose homes are far of, knocking for
admittance at her inhospitable gates.
Great nations, with great resources, cannot
live by themselves and to themselves They
cannot and ought not to withdraw themselves
from the world. They should not be permitted
like terrapins to shut themselves in their shell
and defy the outer world AS individuals owe
duties to society, so do nations owe duties to
other nations-to the great society of nations
They must contribute something. If unwilling
to do SO, they should at first be persuaded; and,
that failing, they should then be forced to do
so. Now, we do not mean by this to sanction
the ideas recently put forth by president
Walker, in his grand pronunciamento. The
doctrine fails as to him for he was but an
American citizen, and an unofficial and unau.
horized individual We were, and are, at peace
with Mexico He collected band of American
citizens, invaded Lower California, an appen-
dage of Mexico and subjugated it. He thus
violated his allegiance to the United States, and
violated our treaties Of amity and peace with
no application to him, it applies to the great
family of nations.
The only justification that we can offer for
our treatment of the Indian tribes within our
lulltS Is liial, true 10 hSlaIlC lIStlnctS, Jney
attempt entire isolation and loneliness. They
| will not unite with US. They will not permit
us to unite with them. They would have an
imperium IN imperio. Indeed, if permitted to
have their way, civilized man would not be al
lowed an acre Of land on this continent The
land that is now apportioned among the mil
lions of our inhabitants would be kept as hunt
ing grounds for irreclaimabe barbarians. In
| place of magnificent and populous cities, we
would have rude huts, Indian villages, not
equalling in architectural skill the habitations
of the ingenious little prairie dogs.
The next object that meets our eyes is Spain,
old Spain-that country so great under Ferdi.
nand and Isabella, so glorious under Charles
the Fifth and the great Cardinal Ximenes, but
now sunk almost into national nothingness
At one time her captains were the greatest
among nations, and her well-disciplined batta
lions fha pr,da &c NOS uar -