Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-02-14
TFrom the Southern Quarterly Review.
EDWARD EVER ETT


to Cuba. which began, originally, while Mr..
Webster was Secretary of State, and was con-
tinued, subsequently, by Mr. Everett, when he
succeeded to that station. This latter pam.
phlet contains the correspondence Of Mr.. Eve
rett, N. lie Comte de Sartiges, NJ. De Turgot,
Mr.. Champion, the Earl of Malmesbury, Mr.
Webster, and Lord John RUSSELL; and along
with these, we have the project of the proposed
convention. These are fifty concluded by the
recent (unoffical) reply of Mr.. Everett to Lord
John Russell The merits of the correspond
ence have already been made known to the
public, and special examination of it occurs
in the opening article Of the present issue of
this periodical In respect to the American
argument in reply to the British and French
governments, there is no difference of opinion
among honest and intelligent Americans; and
the conclusion of our Secretary, rejecting the
overtures of the European p0tentates in respect
to the guarantees required for Cuba, has been
sustained everywhere in our country, by most
spontaneous and wholesome public opinion
The unofficial reply of Mr.. Everett, recently
made, to Lord John Russell's letter, has indeed
met with censure; not because of its argument
which is admitted to be as admirable in its
tone it is effective i'll its statement ofthe case
but as X was unofficial. 1t has been held to
be gratuitous interference, on the part of the
Ex-Secretary, in the duties which specially de-
volve upon the present incumbent of the Office
of state. This is pure absurdity: as ifevery
citizen had not the same to do what Mr.. Eve
rett has done: argue the case with Lord John
Russell if he will through the press and yindicate
the action of the American government. Mr.
Everett had the right, in common with every
other citizen, to do so. He had, perhaps, q bet
ter right. The justification of the course taken
by our government, and Of the argument en-
ployed by it, was in fact his own justification
which at once, of his own moral and intellectual
position, he was required to defend. We are
pleased with equal good taste and spirit with
which this justification has been put in, and
with the reply made to the weak, and somewhat
impertinent letter of Lord Russell Rejecting
however, the special plea of right, which Mr.
Everett might make, for assuming the reply to
this nobeman it is enough for us that, as cit-
zen, he had perfect right to review the letter Of
the British official; and we congratulate the
country on the possession of citizens who are
bold enough, and capable enough, to meet the
assailant, in any field, without waiting for gov
ment commission, and even in anticipation of
all official responses. A government thus sus-
tanned by simple citizens, can never fail of be-
ing well served-its people will never lack of
champions in the hour of its exigency We
should be very sorry to see, or to suffer, this
honorable spirit, and this brave ready talent, of
our citizens, to be any where rebuked, dispara-
ged,or driven from the performance Of this hone
rable service, by the oblique sheer and censure
of the partisan and the selfish. One feels sur
prised, indeed, that there should seem TO exists
any necessity for this short language in such
case. The simple minded man naturally ex-
claims against the possibility of such being the
requital for such service. But he is vet to learn
what dirty animal the political partisan some
times becomes-how he will roll himself, of his
own motion, in the dunghill, in order that he
may befoul his opponent. In brief; Mr. Ed
ward Everett, will in all probability, De the
wing nominee fer the Presidency; and, in antici.
patton of this event. there are not wanting crea-
lures to disparage the good service which he
has done as citizen. They intimate that he
of the Secretary of State in reply to Lord John
Russell simply that he NAV make. clpita out
of it for himself-that he may take the wind
out of the sails of the democratic party. This
is possible that Mr.. Everett has fancied that
showing himself able, in defending the cause
of his country, he is doing himself at the same
time, political service. Yield all that is thus
imputed to him, Of Selishness, and what then?
Who objects to this honorable ambition? Who
objects to any citizen, having an honorable am
bition, putting himself honerably forward when
he can? Had he done mean thing--had he
pursued base cunning-had he resorted to
dirty arts. and proceedings meant to diSparage
the honor and worth of his opponents-tLere
might be ground for cavil and sheer, and some
thing worse. But we should like to possess
three hundred citizens as able and as willing to
answer my Lord John as Mr.. Everett We are
no supportereof Mr. Everett. We are demo
Gratis, as fast in the faith as any in the land
But we belong to, and trust we represent, that
portion of the democratic party which can re-
cognize frankly, and do Justice with free voice
-ay and clapping of hands even-to the hone
rable performance of an opponent. We trust,
moreover, that the whig party will always be in
possession of such talents in its ranks, as will
compel our rivalry-as will keep us to the stretch
of our tether-the full play of all our strength,
and speed, and skill, and mettle-that the side
which we espouse shall always be an able,
vigorous, a we'll performing and an honorable
side. Democracy can exist in its purity and
strength only so long as there is an able oppo-
sition, to prevent us from splitting amongst
ourselves; or--which is more--to keep US from
sinking into the lowest depth of political cor
rnption, when there shall cease to be any call
upon the people for talents, study, great person
al worth and always honorable conduct We
take pride in eulOgzing the virtues of Mr.. Eve
re:t, and his talents, while opposing his politics.
We trust that he wU be the nominee of the
" higs, and that we shall beat him. through an
equal, and a gentleman; one with worth and ed
ucation and ability like his own. SO much for
the relation which he bears the correspondence
with the European diplomates, on the Tripartite
treaty, and the opinions which have been occa-
sionally expressed by reason of his unofficial
reply to the official letter of Lord Russell. Our
limits prevent MS from saying more in respect
to his pamphlet on stability and Progress.
than that his remarks on this topics, like all
the issues from his pen ARE sensible and thought
full, and fuently and gracefully expressed; and
that they properly distinguish between that
base conservative, which is stagnation, and that
which is just development; between that progress
which is mere brutality and insanity, and that
witch is the legitimate necessity of every people
that would live;a progress which, carrying truth
and honor in its heart, and law and justice in
scribed, as the sacred northumberland strife
words, if need be-on sword and banner-must
pass from conquest to conquest, finding stablili-
ty in It's very progress, and security in its every
march.
The Walker FiIibusteriRg Erpedtion.-The
Aspinwall Courier of the 18th inst. gives the
ell T.