Washington sentinel., 1855-01-10
From The London Morning Chronicle.

Every one has heard the story of the jury
man whose misfortune it was invariably TO be
associated with eleven obstinate colleagues,
deaf to all reason and all argument. Presi-
dent Pierce has very similar complaint to
make on behalf Of his country, as will be seen
by the few who may have time and patience to
wade through his voluminous message. Some
how or other, the great Republic, though Of
course always in the right--though never de-
string quarrel, but, on the contrary, most de-
voutly appreciating the blessings of peace
has been getting into scrapes with foreign
powers Against its WILL and in spite Of all its
efforts, it has been quarreled with by evil-dis-
posed States on both sides Of the Atlantic, and
a considerable part Of the message. is occupied
with details referring to these various in.brog-
lios. Whether the more refined and indirect
fattery for which these narrations afford scope,
or the hyperbolical and absurd adnlation OF the
country and her institutions with which the
peroration is garnished, is most indicative OF
the wonderful passion for selElaudation which
characterizes the free and independent citi-
zens of the States, it would be difficult to de-
termine. If there we're no presumption in the
thought that the New World can by possibility
learn lesson from the Old, we would suggest
as model in this respect for the next mes
sage, a royal speech delivered few days ago
under circumstances which might well have
excused some approach to the magniloquent
style of the American State paper The gen
eral resume of the foreign relations Of the Re-
public, with which the message commences, is
conceived in strain of injured innocence not
little amusing.
1t seems that, Notwithstanding these high
sounding phrases, there is one important point,
at all events, in which the New World is not
prepared to set a good example to the Old.
On the war which Europe watches with such
intense anxiety, a very brief notice is bestowed
by the American administration, and the little
which is said is elaborately common place.
With this discreet reserve we find no fault. We
DO not look for formal expression Of sympathy
in documents such as that on which we are
commenting; but we must confess that our
estimate Of the American character will be
materially lowered if there be not, before long,
some satisfactory reputation Of the Russian.
and, therefore, it may be supposed, by por
ton of the public. Fraternization between
democracy and absolutism is unnatural and
discreditable, and in this instance we may ven
ture to conjecture that it will be but short
lived. One of the most important measures oi
President Pierce's administration has been the
conclusion of a treaty with Japan, which has
opened to the mercantile marine of the United
States two ports of that Empire; and con.
sidering the progress which Russia has made
in localities not very distant, it is not difficult
to conceive that differences of opinion may
arise between two States almost equally ex
pansive and aggressive. Any check, therefore
which may be given to the latter power will
serve the interests Of America, and can bring
no countervailing disadvantage; so that OF
this ground alone, if all higher consideration!
are to be forgotten, we have rightfnl claim
on the sympathies of the republic.