The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-16

10 the Editor Of he Uaioa:
SIN In my last article | considered the bearing OF an
ocean penny postage a of democratic equity
would now proier few thoughts in reference 10 the
capacity OF that measure as democratic agency IL
must be the natural and honest desire of the American
phanthropis well patriot, that the oppressed sub
ects of despotic governments especially the cont.
nent OF Europe should be made thoroughly acquainted
with the fundamental principles and actual working OF
those institutions which constitute the greatness and
glory of this republic II must be equally natural tor
those oppressive governments 10 fear and to prevent the
diffusion OF this political knowledge b oughout their do
minons And, unfortunately for their subjects, they
have been able hitherto TO bar almost every avenue
against the introduction OF such information In the first
place, they could lay their iron hands upon their news
paper press home and prevent the enunciaon or re-
production of these ideas Then, very few of their sub
jecs could read the English language thus, insu-
perable obstacle opposed the nbreakng of that
flood of light which the political journals OF the United
States and Great Britain poured against their shores.
Thus entrenched behind the barrier OF language, and
padlocking the lips OF their press, they could deride
and defy any attempt from without TO communicate to
their subjects ideas opposed to their despotic rule II
their people began to catch the subtle sympathes OF
human freedom, which sometimes cross seas and mnge
in the atmosphere Of foreign lands. these governments
had only TO give the more turn downward
upon the liberty of the press home and prohibit the
introduction of certain journals from abroad, and the
work Of compression was complete Bat this despotic
sway has produced reactve agency OF late, before
which inevitably be overhIown, il free scope and
play be given to that agency mean that it has tended
expaale myriads OF their people to America In the
great gulf OF emigra that is pouring the pop
ulations Of Europe upon this continents the Rhine runs
fuller and faster than the Shannon the Germans already
ounumber the Irish, and they bid fair TO increase from
year to year OF the foregH born inhabitants OF The
Union at this moment al least one million came from
Germany and other continental States. Every Germaf
who thus loosens himself from the ties OF home, draws
after him. by large proportion OF the circle
which he attached. The first letter he writes, OF
his arrival America. il political communication,
the impression it conveys, though he may not know th
meaning Of sing lie term belonging to the phraseology
democracy But be describes most graphically the differ
ence between his condition and that in which they
struggle and starve. Simple are the words in which hi
sirs their hearts and hands TO desperate effort to follow
him. and share his destiny They are read aloud slowly
one by one, in many family group, by many pea-r
in his native village have been told, while travelling
in some OF those European countries that letter from
an emgrah America often read by three hun
dred persons, OF all sgespassng from cabin TO cabin
long il would hold together. Now, then, establish al
ocean penny postage across the Atlantic, and the mil
lion of emigrants in the United States from the connen
OF Europe would write al least two letters per head an
nualy To their friends in the Old World, or TWO million
in the aggregate Every of these letters would be ea
by circle oil dozen persons, average Thus twelv
millions OF minds, scattered all over The continent, from
the Mediterranean the Baltic aud beyond the Baltic
would be enlightened and ntoctnnated, by these prva
communications, in the principles and doctrines of on
most precious institutions These letters from the Unite
States would convey 10 the populations of those coun
tries more valuable political knowledge than could b
communicated to them BY all the journals published il
the English language the face of the earth. Thi
may seem a strong statement; but let any candid maj
contemplate the political capacity OF the pro
posed in the lgh, and range OF these considerations
be will find himself constrained to adopt the same con
clusion And he must also eoncede that ocean penn
postage would do 10 extend the political influence
our institutions and TO disseminate correct ideas Ci
freedom throughout the world than any other agenc
within The possession or reach OF this nation.
| ELIHU BURRITT
i WAsmSeros, March 10, 1854.