The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-02

tended form, rather the ultimate stage of Peter
the Greats scneme, the idea OF which was to go on
dividing the world with other powers, till the two
surviving powers should fight for the whole But,
though schemes of this sort figure on paper, and
though leaning towards absolutism, as the next
best thirs to republic may add malicious pigi-
ancy TO political articles otherwise inspid enough,
We cannot really believe that the thinking and sound
hearted classes OF Americans would wish u see the
States Russias best friend They cannot wish to be
free for themselves alone, and to be at once elved
as treemen and detested AZ the accompllces OF ty-
ianny That there have been such Inconsistencies
in the world We do not deny. We have seel the
old monaichical governments OF Europe sending
armies for the support OF nsurrection aud the found
alton OF republics But we have also seen those
armies return TO do the like work Ut home with
equal sue, ess. What II America should assist En-
rtpean absolutism, and like besieging army taking
the plae ne from captured city, herself catch the
infection? There cannot be much moral repuggance
t. the Cossack form Of government when 1t Is actl-
ally and eiicaciously supported; but, when there Is
no repugnance to supporting it, there cannot be
much to receiving 1t.
MIR. CuslAinx's Letters--The American Eleo-
tiOneeslOg Policy.
From the London Times Nov. ID
Just as We were hoping that the cloads which
have for moment obscured the Western horiz On
were beginning to scatter, VIC are awoke from the
agreeable delusion by another manifesto from Mr..
Attorney General Cushing The 81 GIT OF the small
i,extinguishable love Of strife that burns in tho
breast OF this distinguished legal author ty. Do the
people Of England begin to believe that they have
been too hasty In eieuating mere eiectioneeriny
dodge 10 the dignity Of a national demonstration
do the people Of America begin to think that they
pushing matters title too hard against friends
and relatives who have shown the most sincere and
nmsiasa5e Ges re-, 20 give no reasonable gr9nad
and he rushes between the halfreconcled dsputants
to point out that his side have been much used
than they seem to think, and that there is nothing
lett for rother Jonathan but to exact from Brother
John that most unsatisfactory satisfaction which
used TO be considered the peculiar mark of gentle.
man.
The first thing that strikes us in reading the last
circular OF Mr.. Attorney General Cushing, which
will be found in American intelligence II the utter
uselessness for any good purpose OF putting forth
any such document ut all. In this country Il is in
the Queen, in the United States 1t is in the Presi-
dent that the constitution vests the power OF calling
attention by proclamation to such portions Of the
law as In danger OF being violated overlooked.
IN neither country e such a .pocer pested in tie
Attorney General His expositions Of the law are
Of no authority either with judges juries. II it
be intended to put any persons on their trial
for alleged enlistment Of American citizens, such
semi-ofHcial declarations only tend to prejudice and
embarrass the case. The judges of the land are
competent to declare the law, and will doubtless
do so they understand It, without reference to the
opinions or circulars OF the Attorney General. IT,
on the other hand the intention Of this circular be
the United States, II then tre1rs the air Of inten
tionai insult to Great Britain, nasmnch it pre-
supposes that she will do that which she has
most formally ard deliberately announced her in
tention to the United States OF not agal attempt.
ing. No one will dispute the position taken up in
this crcularthat the United States have the right
ard the power to prohibit foreign enlistment within
theft territory by an act OF Congress- though many
may doubt whether, without sch act Of Congress.
the enlistment Of troops within the territory by
belligeient would be hostile attack national So
BY Mr. Gushing, IN defiance Of yatte, that to allow
one belligerent party and not the other to enlist
troops in neutral State would be 1agrant breach
OF neutrality. But surely both England and the
Attorney General of the United States takes upon
himself not merely to lay down the law, bat, of his
own authority, to find facts and those facts which
have no bearing upon his duty as public prosecu-
tor but matters OF discussion solely between the
two nations. What right has Mr. Cushing, in
his official capacity, to assert that Great Britain,
in attempting by the agency of her civil and
military authorities in the British North Anne.
lar functionaries in the United States, to raise
troops in the United States has committed an act
81 usurpation against the sovereign rights OF the
United Statesg We do not object to this assertion
because il is manifssty Untrue, inasmuch as Great
Britain ATTEMPTED to raise troops in The United
States, out only established recruiting depots her
territory; but because be it true false, it is
matter entirely out OF the Attorney Generals cog
nizancc, In doematising on which Mr. Cushing to
use his own expression, commits an act OF usurpa-
ton against the rights Of the Foreign Minister of
the Union Equally uncalled for, and equally OBJ.
ecticnablc is the statement that the Indictment and
conviction Of any such consul, his escape by ar
ranged instructions coatrivances to evade the
operation Of such statute, is subordinate to the
sideratOn Of the national insult involved in the tact
Of foreign government nstructing its officers to
abuse for unlawful purposes the privileges they hap.
pen to enjoy in the United States.
Mr.. Cushing can only imagine that the consos Of
uusf thurh o tod hui,
worthy contrivances. Why not suppose-at least,
for the sake Of apparent candor and impartialty-
that they may he able 70 establish their innoccnceI
Such n presumption Il not unwarranted by the or
binary r. les OF evidence, and would not, we think
have been unworthy Of the high legal situation
which Mr. Cushing fills. 1t Is the duty Of the Attor-
ney General to prosecute to conviction those who
have offended against the laws Of the republic; bat
how Is it his duty to remind the people that ter
these trials have taken place they st have ground
OF quarrel against the country whose agents have
orendsG Such remarks introduced into professed
exposition Of the law, which ought, above all things
to be calm and dispassionate, convey but an indif-
ferent compliment to the community to which they
are addressed and do but small credit TO the Official
who thus goes ont OF his way in order to take upon
himself the odious office OF stirring up strife and
discussion. We cannot believe that such arts will
have any permanent effect great and intelligent
community like that happily established on the other
side of the Atlantic Until much better evidence is
afforded to ms than we at present possess, we shall
persist in believing that such abue Of high OIL
cal position can have 10 other effect than to bring
discredit upon him who resorts TO it, aud TO place
men OF all parties on their guard against persons
couten to achieve the smallest political object at the
expense Of o national confagration.
EngInnd's Relations 10 Revolutionary and
Imperial France.
From the London Times, Nov. l2l
II is Of little use to argue for against the wars
which Pitt and Castlereagh waged with revolution.
airy France. Men who have seen the event may
pronounce dogmatically that the policy OF past
statesmen was shortsighted, forgetful that they
themselses look clearly upon results which coald
only be seen daIkly by the generation which gone
II must ever remain disputed question chefiey the
fret euftrsok Of rsFubedn violence ,oiseiy
sisted by o,ms. Some may say, as the men Of the
Europe. Pitt Is to them the man at the wheel the
plot who weathered tie storm, the prophet who
stood between the living and the dead aud stayed
the plague. Others will have il that England, its