Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-03-13

British Relations with the United States.

the Queens speech provokes the criticism
of Lord Derby, and may possibly be sOurce
of some additional bitterness on the other
side of the Atlantic; but probably the Uni
ted States were we'll left out, for there is
nothing that we could say about them just now
that would please them. For our own sake, |
as well as hers, we could most sincerely
wish that the machine of government in the
great Republic worked little more smoothly,
and was not SO apt TO get clogged in some
places and stimulated 10 violent and destruc-
tive action in others. Differences have aris-
en-, as they will occasionally between the
best friends, between us and the American
Republic. War, always odious and de-
structive, would be against such an enemy
a thousand times more revolving than against
any other.
To sweep her commerce from the seas,
TO destroy her navy, to ravage her seaboard,
would be feats neither difficult nor danger
GUS to Power with such forces as Great
Britain now possesses, but little would be
The honor and heavy the loss, of this suici-
dal triumph. We are unwilling 10 fight,
not because we fear our enemies, for never
were conditions of combat more unequal
than thoss would be between Great Britain
and the United States at this moment, but
because we cannot bring ourselves to regard
them as enemies at all. When Lucas spoke
Of more than civil war, lie certainly must
have alluded TO such a war as would be wa
ged between Great Britain and North Amer
lea. The parent devastating the fair inher-
tance of the child, kindred hands employed
in roofing out that prosperity, the increase
of which has overhowed in tide of riches
into this island, are subjects too painful FOR
contemplation, and from which the mind of
every Engisman turns aside with uncon-
queruble disgust. Let us have war, if
need be, with any other nation, but not with
those colonies-the proudest historic mon
ument We possess, the most enduring me-
mortal of Anglo-Saxon greatness.
Yet what can we do, and how avert that
which this extraordinary nation, or those
who have at least the legal right to speak in
Is name, seem 10 be determined to bring
upon US?
Were the whole attention of thepublio mind
of America bent upon the question, we
~, LIT Lo,a c,r g., cote sCoo,;or o,1 r,ooro;l;,
ton; but what is to be done with natior
which is drifting heedessly inte war with &
people possessing a splendid army and the
f finest navy in the world, while it possesses
, in truth, neither the one or the other? A
, few thousand soldiers scattered over an i'm
mense continent, and vessels carrying in al
about 500 guns, are literally all the resour
E ces with which the United States con!ron
the enormous fleet and well trained armie
, OF England, about TO be set at liberty by tn
, impending peace with Russia. If we wer
G the aggressors-if, taking the advantage O
, the enormous disparity Of our forces, W
e had been mean and base enough to force
, quarrel on an unoilendng neighbor, n
words could have been sufficiently vigorou
= 10 reprobate our conduct; but what is
n be said when a Power utterly helpless
!, military and naval resources insists on fix
= ing. us with quarrel which we have as Ii
S tie power TO avoid as it hes adequately {
e carry out.P
h We find, indeed, in America an Execu
= tive Cover mcnt which is ready enough I
G exchange defiance with us, but that Go,
J ernment is on the very eve Of its dissolu
S ton, and is well known to be using a guar
p rel with Great Britain as means of cour
II ing popularity for the coming elections
It We have difference with it with regard I
e certain places IN Central America, and th
} Interpretation of treaties relating 10 then
Whether we are right or wrong in our vle'
i of the case we will not stop to inquire; 4
q, any rate, we have adopted the most concil
$ atory step in our power, for we have Offer
!, ed 10 leave the quarrel TO the arbitration {
r. any impartial State, and to abide by whatey
er award may be given.
n America rejects this offer, and continue
d the argument, which succession of letter
i and memorials have worn completely thread
bare. Meanwhile band of pirates, issu
d ing from her own shores, seize upon POI
= tion of the disputed territory and so ia
is from redressing their outrages, we find III
d naval forces of the United States engage
e in assisting them against the authorities
" the State which they have invaded. ON
y offers of an amicable reference are refused
d and armed violence, seconded by the force
,r of the States, is let loose to seize by fore
s. that which we in vain beg them to refer {
lr friendly arbitration.