Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-09-12
THE LONDON TINES on CONSUL, sAUNpERs |
LETTER TO THE SWISS REPUBLIC
Prom tho London Times, Aue. 81.

From No. 10 weymouth street, Portland -place, Lon
on voice has gone forth upon politics and destnes
Of Europe. Mr. George N Sanders, ,ho American Con-
sui in this country, has addressed communication to the
President Of the Swiss Republic, eIpostulsug with that
ssrate upon certain resolutions Of his Government
and deluea,Dg policy which. in his Mr. sanders opn.
lon, would be becoming tho Helvstic Confede.-
ton. entirely aware says this gentleman that Thu
individual expression Of opinion national subjects viii
be considered violent innovation the prasiced dplo
macy Of Europe Let Mr.. Sanders that In this
respect, hels altogether mistaken. Whether It eIactlv
beseems the representative Of foregn State In any par
ticuar country address such public expostulaton to
the Government Of third State may possibly admit Of
some question. Perhaps Consular" expression OF o.
piuon in such form is rather than otherwise au nno-
vaton upon diplomatic usages bat in his iudvidu ca
pacty Mr.. Sanders Is certainly doing nothing more than
nine Epgshmen Of every do every day of their
lives "Nationa" as We presume Mr.. Sanders means
internaonsr subjects are those above all others most
freely and frequently canvassed did We when re-
qussed hesatofor moment to give the address ques
shat circulation and publicity which its author de-
sired. We do as much for couurymeu at least
twice a week. In justice, however own readers,
ard in discharge of public Duty compel
ed occasionally to qualify these exposi,ons by commen-
,aes on their character and pupor aud free and indie
psudent thinker like Mr. Sanders will forgive u.s. We are
sure observing that his arsu meuts, where they
sre not based upon entire mscoucepton of facts are
destroyed by a total sbsence of reason.
According the views Of Nc Sanders In the document
which published on Monday, Switzerland "the only
orgsuiI I'd Republic in Europe, is charged with solemn
responsibility" "Lika America SAYS he
S~izerand by the fact OF its exstsnce, stands
moral protest against desposn. As with u.s. that exist
auoe OF permission favor from the alb
soute Governments" The responsibility of Switzerland
thus situated is explained conveying obligation to
laid in the enfranchsement OF Europe by encouraging
Republication in every practicable way not only by the
protection Of Republican eIes but by the active propa
CATION OF Republican principles until "the ghfu desert
absolute power" represented by the continent of Eu
rope shall have become gradually begemmed with
erad cases. like ITSELF or in other words, until monarchy
shall have been superseded by Democracy 10 every
tnenta State. Switzerland in short is the sole
abode OF political faith aud the duty Of its people,
therefore, is the conversion of Europe from political
ganism. Some obstacles 10 the way Of this mission Mr.
Sanders is enough to discern, but says be-
iii considerations of self preserv should for the mo-
ment prevent open declaration for Republican
ments there would seem to be call for active in
;etrentioa in aid Of despoc Efforts against liberty. Yet
Mr. Saunders has heard that the Swiss Government has
has consented to the expulsion Of certain hunted Lber
ala, and hence his public cIposulston with the Presi-
dent through the columns of the Times
We regret to be driven to contradictions which win
appear, perhaps, unpleasantly absolute, but mus
needs Mr. Sanders that in every and every
inference transcribed in the above paragraph he utterly
wrong Switzerland certainly does occupy peculiar 20
contrary what Mr. Sanders describes It's Government
is also undoubtedly charged with peculiar European ob
cations but those obligations which defined in solemn
acts OF engagement happen to be precisely the
the Obligations imagined by correspondent No doubt
be remarks the Swiss in the fifteenth century obtain
ed very brilliant victories the Duke OF Burgundy
and very nearly too, about the date he gives but it is
unfortunate that so Jealous writer should have
tended his researches little further into Swiss history
instead OF terminating them the point where this history
begins The Switzerland of those tmes-thst ancient
NnDfaH nf fha Al.
close of the last century and not Mr. Sanders might
perhaps suppose, by the malignant hostility Of despoc
monarchs, but by the attack of purely democratic and
Republican Government which invaded its territories
subyerted its Constitution, and demolished its political ex
sence The Switzerland OF tile present day dates from
1914 when and in the following year, reconstructed
under the auspices and guarantee OF those European
Powers which Mr. Sanders thinks be bent upon
in The terms OF this reconstruction the time
explicitly defined The Great Powers OF Europe restored
Swzer land its territories its independence and its Co.
vernment on the express condition of its European
raity-a neutrality to be observed all occasions aud
to be secured by such strength Of internal admintra
ton might ehectualy curb any turbulence OF popular
spirit injurious to the neighooring Governments These
are the obligations and responsibility OF Switzerland and
this is the understanding which the Republic rests
So far from being bound to political propag ndism it is
soemnly engaged to contrary course. So far from be
ing essentially autagonistic to the Governments of Eu
rope il its reconsrlction their hands after hay.
ing persisted under the hands of Republic like Itself So
Tar from finding its real safety in democratic activity
possesses this security the recorded condition Of uof
fsnsive neutrality. The Great Powers of Europe them
selves reonnded the Kiss confederation undertook
TO respect It's independence aud its freedom this
gagement they assumed The condition that the general
policy OF Ssz rinl should b. comfortable its posi-
ton neutral State IL the Government of Sxtzerland
to adopt such policy Mr.. sanders recommends
1t would not only be fulfilling its proper mission, but
would 10, isyng its character and violating the very
principles of its Constitution
With regard TO the particular question BY which the
GnlucEy disqlisiton of Mr. Sandsrs suggested
cannot, a. Eugshmen be supposed dpArsge the ghr
OF asyunI That right has always been maintained in these
Islands, and II il ldoubIedy sacred 10 SSz and
here. II the Government Of the Confederation sim
ply asserts its Independent privilege Of shetering the
iGgee against vengeance the resolution will find entire
approval IN this country but il consist either
with reason or with right that the members OF defeated
minority should be permitted TO conspire against
tbishei rnmont under the shelter and by the aid
neshboFing State. The refugeV, whether in England
Switzerland must, II he claims the protection of Swiss
English laws be bonnd for the time by the obiga
uons "a are iucun J3nt upon Swiss aud E1glsh them
selves. He cannot claim 70 do under the protection oil
the swiss Government what would be permitted to
native Swiss subject. Switzerland las long borne the
honorable character Of European asylum aud the inter-
est OF all parties and personages Ia the OF
such resort have been strkingy shown that eed
nave e" approximations for its saety but is clear that
its surest guaranty lie, in that neutrality which Mr. San
des desires TO see exchanged for active political pro-
pagsndism.
HEAVY GALE At CHARLESTON 8. C.-Ths Mercury
the 9th nsI says
"Tbe Gale to which alluded In our last as having com,