Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-03-08
isdom, political

mgr oe inflicted and In
s,.. offered; so long as our freedom is worth
preserving, and our rights worth maintaining
a bulwark Of steel must grid our land The
Atlantic Ocean between us and Europe, is
no doubt very strong wall. But steam is
a key TO unlock the barriers of the ocean
1t is delusion-a pleasing but dangerous
delusion-that oiir position and the dread Of
our latent resources will always protect us.
We need not expect to have a millennium to
ourselves on this western continent, Nations
are composed of men, and men are creatures
full of passion and prejudice, cupidity and
arrogance. Hot-blood produces the hasty
word, and the hasty word, brings the blow
In the war of 1872, notwithstanding the
battle Of New Orleans and our naval success,
we We're compelled to submit to great humil-
iations. Our Capitol was taken and burned,
horrible atrocities were committed along the
line of our defenceless seaboard, treason was
hatehed in New England, and finally, hostil-
tiles were concluded without mentioning,i in the
treaty of peace, the causes of war; and with no
guaranty for the future. 1t is true, we were
not again molested, because Europe was ie-
posing after the bloody revelries of a quarter
of century. sis
A wise precaution demands an enlargement
of both the army and navy. 1t is supposed
that England and France, being already busi-
ly engaged, will be slow TO increase the num-
Der of belligeants; and especially to arouse
the inhammable passions of a fierce ,lemoc-
racy which can WELD at will SO much of ell
ergy, bravery, and science.
But it is unsafe to place too much reliance
on general propositions, even when they seem
to be reasonable, concerning the policy or
coduct of nations. Large allowance must be
made for unexpected emergencies and acci-
dental collisions. The war in Europe was
the result Of blunders--blunders on the part
Of Russja-blunders on the part of England,
though otof France. The dark aud subtle
Louis Napoleon knew that he must have a
war to keep his armies quiet. Prince Meter
nich was right when, in the early pant Of the
contest he called it state of disorganizcd
diplomacy. Two Of the great powers found
themselves fighting almost before they
knew it. 9 ' f.aaffi
But if the Russian war should come to
sudden conclusion, England and France will
have magnificently equipped armies and
navies-with the thirst for carnage roased by
the taste of blood, ready to be hurled on any
part of our immense seaboard. These
worthless are as ready now, as in 1872, to rob-
burn and slaughter, to destroy the aourishing
works Of peace, and leave ruin behinl them.
These remarks are not made as positive as
sertions, but as suggestions, and with remem-
brance of the maxim of great master of po-
litical philosophy is better to be despisei
for too anxious apprehension, than ruined
by too confident security.
In connection with this subject, we will
quote a prophecy, uttered by Mr. Bell, Of
Tennessee, on the 18th April 1852. A part
of it has already proved true.
J. eff Louis Napoleon shall survive the perlls
which attend him, France will become ag-
gressive. He is under political necessity to
to make war. He cannot pause in his career.
If the position have assumed that at no
distant day-in 81. months, in twelve months
or at most in twenty-fonr months, war will
be kindled in Europe upon some pretext or OF
some character or other be well founded,
predict that the United States will sooner or
later be drawn w!shin Its vortex, aI
"The first open violation of our neutral
rights, the first breach of the accustomed
courtesies to our hag, will be instantly retalia-
ted, and thus the war would be begun; all un-
prepared as we may be- And the maratime
powers of Europe would be nothing 10th to
accept the issue thus presented. The weak
points ofou condition are as well understood
abroad as at home
i The war has come; We are not get init
The suggestion of Mr.. Bell as to the posi-.
BILE violation of our neutral rights is certainly
sustained by the history of the past If I
Judgment may be formed from the events o.
the wars, consequent the French revolution
: England and France have no furtber.respec
for neutral rights than their own interest may
dictate. The rdepredations committed by
England, during that period, on American
commerce were as Hagant as those Of the Bar
barry corsairs- England, however, was not a
candid as the Dey of Algiers who, when com
plant was made by some ambassador, Replied
My friend, my subjects are band of rob
bers, and lam their captain"