The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-26
American Opinion ON the War.


chargeable with the result.
American Opinion ON the War.
The telegraph informs US that the London
Times returns to the charge on the subject Of
American sympathies in the pending war. The
Geographic reporter briefly states that the or
gan of British opinion considers it shocking
and revolving" that the people of this country
should not sympathize with England in her
struggle with Russia.
Or course the only ground on which this
strong sentiment can be predicated is the asser-
ton Of the Western press that the allies are
fighting the battle of civilization against barba-
rism. A man or nation that could sympathise
with barbarism and against civilization would
certainly exhibit shocking and revolving spec
tacle: if the charge could be brought home to
the people of this country, the London Times
could say nothing too severe OF them. But the
whole groundwork and premises for such
conclusion are wanting.
1t is not helping civilizati on to take up arms
to defend the church and the institutions of
Turkey On the contrary, it is helping bar
balism and retarding civilization. Turkey is
a model of barbarism. Her church is barba-
rous; her institutions barbarous; her govern
ment barbarous; the domestic and social life Of
her people barbarous. Turkish barbarism has
not even the merit Of freshness or sap. 1t is
rotten barbarian, that has been decaying for
centuries; whose heart and sap have long
ago persisted, leaving nothing but the
loathsome slime and effluvia of rotten
ness. When therefore the Western Powers
take up arms to defend this fabric of barbarism,
and to oppose nation, which, though far in the
rear Of Great Britain, France or the United
States, is yet Christian and more highly civiliz-
ed than the Turks ever could be, it does not APP
pear to us that it can be said Of them that they
are fighting the battle ofcivilization againstbar-
barism, or that there is any thing revolving or
shocking in foreigners Withholding from them
their sympathies. On the contrary, SO far as
such matters are involved in the contest, it
rather seems that the allies are fighting the bat
Ties Of Turkish barbarism against the civiliza-
tion Of the Greek Church, and that as such, it
would be shocking and revolving to sympathizs
with them.
There is mode, however, by which if the
British care for it, they can not only obtain the
sympathies of the American people, but mo.
nopolize them That mode is by fighting the
battle of civilization at home. II the British
people who have sent their ARMIES three thou
sand miles from their home to regulate tie civil
lizationIof Turkey and the Crimea, had contract
ed their view, and looked into their own insti-
buttons, they would have found plenty of mat
AZ AZ, ~ -,
employmentto every man of them. They would
have found, for instance, a House Of Lords, which
has been in its day most useful aud worthy To-
stitution, and was perhaps, in the year 1900 or
thereabouts the best article that could have been
contrived for the purpose; but which has been
nothing but clog and an impediment to the
growth of civilization for over century at
least. They would have found church which
was, at one time Of her history very excel
lent church, and well adapted to the wants of
the people and the progress Of mankind ; now,
hawever, it is mere incubous on the country
and an injury to Christianity. Again, they
would have found a Queen-who is personally a
highly respectable woman, and has reigaed
more successfully aud peaceably than any other
monarch of her dynasty but who is nevertheless
in public light mere useless eycrescence,
and almost an object Of contempt. They would
have found other things as well, needing civil
izing hand badly, but these are the main
points.
Now If the people Of England chose to turn
their attention to these matters to abolish their
aristocracy confoe their church to ecclesiasti-
cal matters, abolish their crown, and set up il-
stead OF the whole thorough set Of democratic
institutions, and a popular government, they
could look confidently 10 this country for
sympathy and support. There would then
be some real analogy between the United
States and Great Britain We could then feel
that the acts of the British government were
the acts OF the British people, and not OF
few families and it does not appear
that any grounl Of difference would be
likely to arise between u. II they
went to war we should feel satisfied that it was
Oh good substantial grounds; whereas nov,
large proportion Of the edu, lated people of this
country believe-apd with great show oftruth-
that all the wars which break out in Europe
arc got up by despots, in fulflment of private
understanding 10 keep down revolution bT
these means. If they claimed to be struggling
in the cause Of civilization, we should believe
them; because they wonl1 have no interest in
deceiviDg us as the sristocracy have.
There is in England the material for l. re-
public only second to our awn. There are the
men, sterling, thoro.gh, energetic; there is the
industry, there is the education. Nothing is
wanting but the first shoulder 20 be placed to
the wheel. Avery few weeks will decide whether
that will fail the English al this crisis or not.
II has failed them be'ore3 and signs of repe-
tition of the treacherv are not wanting. 1t