The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-05
A Change Coming over British Sentiment.


1t will be seen by the extracts from the British
journals and the debates in Parliament, which
are published elsewhere, that marked change is
coming over British feeling and British opinions
with regard to this country. The dismissal of
Mr.. Champion is considered calmly, and the lead
ing journals seem at least resigned TO the acci-
dent. More important than these, the speech Of
Mr. Disracli openly takes the ground that much
of the bad feeling that has been reused in past
times between the United States and Englandhas
been originally caused by British jeaiogy Of
American expansion-a feeling says the orator,
uniustifable in principle, unjustfed by practice.
We are exceedingly happy to perceive this
sensible language-coming AZ it does from one
of the foremost statesmen OF England, from an
orator Of the party from which we had leastright
10 expect good WILL and listened 10 with marked
applause in the British House of Commons
Many years have elapsed since similar sentiments
first appeared in these columns. We have always
been satisfied that every increase in the territory
OF the United States was not an injury but q
large benefit to mankind in general, and to the
great trading nations, such as France and Eng
land. in particular. To the case OF California
Mr. Disaci might have added that Of
Louisiana. whose purchase was regarded
at the time az a severe blow TO England
but from which we will venture to say that she
has since derived more wealth and more profit
than from any OF her own colonies, India ex-
ccpted. The acquisition Of Mexico were such n
thing possible, which II i not at present and that
Of Central America, which is out OF the question,
would also he beneficial to England to France
te every nation that has a trade and ships. 10
every person who il interested in the spread Of
civilization. commerce, industry, religion, free
dom and good government.
We cannot help wishing that Mr.. Dsraeli had
avaied himself Of bis position and his opportu-
nifty to explain why il has happened that the
expansion Of the United States has been for the
worlds good, and why Great Britain has hitherto
opposed it. A very few words might have made
the matter clear. In former times, annexation
implied subsection. Conquest was The usual
mode Of anncxing territory; and all other modes
being assimilated to 1t, the race whose territory
was annexed was treated a. a conquered people
without rights or claims save on the mercy of the
ecnquerors. They were quite commonly deprived
Of their institutions, stripped Of their liberty,
made 10 pay tribute; and not unfrequently denied
the free use Of their language and their religion.
Under system Of such severity az this, auSexa-
ton naturally appeared a very hateful operation
to all but the snnexers. Again, in former times,
when wars were scmpiternal, nations strength
consisted in the number Of men she could bring
into the field; and the nation which owned the
most conquered provinces, whose male citizens
she tauld by the rules Of public law force intoher
public service, was naturally the most powerful.
Hence, very natural reason for dislike on the
part Of ono nation y zee it, rival providing itself
with new supplies Of soo;ors from this source. II
was mainly from these rcasoss that the peculiar
British aversion 10 sec the United states expand
first took its origin. The feeling was Tradition.
any one, and modern rivalry aggravated IT,
glance at the facts Of course shows is falla.
cv I'm the first place. the United States seek no
war with any one, do not impress soldiers. owe
their strength to their corn and their cotton and
their labor and their freedom, and the happy
combination Of circumstances which render il
good policy for foreign capitalists to invest their
money here. These clements o. strength can
hardly Io increased Ny the annexation 81 new
states. And. secondly. the United States have
DO provinces 10 sulgugalel people whom hoy