Washington sentinel., 1855-02-07
THE AmERIcAN PRESS AND RUSSIA.

| THE AMERICAN PRESS AND hUSSIAs
This is the caption Of an article in late
number of the London Times, which we repub-
lish in another column. 1t is free from the
venom and the sarcasm that usually distin-
guish the articles of that journal on American
affairs. 1t is fit that England should learn, as
she seems to have learnt, from the American
ceased, and that she cannot force us into any
alliances that she may choose to contract. 1t
is fit, too, that she should learn, as she has
learnt, that we view with much suspicion the
alliance that is now arrayed against Russia,
and that we are not insensible to the many in
dications that point to the probable extension
of that alliance to the New World, SO soon as
it shall accomplish its objects in the Old.
Neither byabuse, ridicule, nor cajolery, can the
English Press divert from Russia the current
Of American sympathy. Nor does this sympa-
thy result from any political atiinities between
the two countries. Indeed there are no two
nations whose political institutions are more
dissimilar-more antagonistic than those of the
United States and Russia. But there is a
| friendship-an undisturbed friendship between
them. She never oppressed US in our weak
| ness, or sought TO crush us in our manhood.
She never covered us with abuse and ridicule.
But when we speak Of sympathy with Russia
we mean only sympathy. We do not mean
material aid. We do not mean entanging
alliances. No wiser principle has ever been
incorporated in our foreign policy than that
| which teaches US to form no entanglng al
liances.
The demonstrations of feeling which have
been exhibited by the Press and the people in
this country against the alliance, since its am
bilious projects have been suspected, seem
to have sensibly and painfully affected the sus-
capabilities of our English cousins. They wit
messed them first with Indignation and then
with sorrow. They are now beginning to bring
to bear upon us pleasing compliments and
touching appeals to national vanity. There
may be some who cannot find it in their hearts
TO resist such touching language as that con-
tanned in the following passages from an arti-
Gle in late number -of the London Nelcs a
journal not much addicted to praising any
thing American.
"The London Ne,os, in giving some reasons
| why it thought a friendly understanding be-
tween England and the United States should
be sedulously cultivated says:
"There is another reason why it is desirable
that a friendly understanding between this
country and the United States should be sedu-
lously cultivated. In theory, one nation ought
only to communicate with another through the
medium Of their respective governments. But
in practice, this rule cannot be strictly observ-
| ed. In all countries there are-overlooking
minor shades of difference-two great parties;
the friends of free institutions and progress,
and the friends of despotism, and stationary
institutions, and obstructive laws. Either par
| ty in every country naturally and necessarily
sympathizes with its counterpart in every other.
| It is not in human nature for the liberals of
| free nation to abstain from sympathizing with
and assisting those who struggle for their own
emancipation from fetters in a country subject
| to despotic rule. Above all others, the despot-
sms of Europe have no right to complain Of
| this; for the Holy Alliance having set the ex-
| ample Of combination Of kings againsts sub
jects, have thereby justified leagues among
subjects against despots.
"It is impossible to lay down any general
| rule as to how far governments may and must
connive at CO operations among different sec
tons Of their respective subjects. The crcum-
stances Of every special case must supply the
law applicable to it. Still it is necessary for
the preservation Of intercourse between States
as corporate communities, that some limits
narrower at one timsthan another-should be
imposed on the cooperation of the subjects or
. citizens of another. Hence arises one great
difficulty that has always beset the statemen OF
Great Britain when they have been called up.
on to take part in the Congress of the great
powers of Europe. In these councils, Grea,
Britain has hitherto been the only free and
popular government. The balance Of interes,
between people and princes would be more
fairly held were some other frst-rate free
power to take part in them as well as Great
Britain.
"The Republic Of North America is the
only other frst-class State that answers this
description. When next Great Britain is in
yited to take part in a General Congress, it will
be the duty OF our government TO insist upon
the United States being admitted to take part
in their deliberations. These councils would
1 III ihOit Wss)S shtah On' W Ah' a'atooioi
Of the United States to them.
"The emancipations of American statesmen
from the superstitious veneration for many old
routine forms and doctrines inapplicable tc
the state Of modern society, would immensely
improve our European diplomacy.
ave do uot mean that Great Britain and ths
United States would invariably be found tax
ing the same side in the discussion Of a gen
eral Congress. These two nations can M
more be invariably in the right than Austria
and Russia can be invariably in the wrong
But the increased number Of statesmen, bounC
by the necessity Of their position to assert pc
cnliar principles, and the admission Of a bod,
Of statesmen more free from conventionalitie
than any others, would exercise healthy inau
ence over the deliberations Of future Genera
Congresses"
NEW CONSTITUTION IN SPAIN.
Though the original project Of the Spanisl