The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-20
0REIeN CORRESPONDENCE
POLITICAL LETTER.
EUROPE. Jnnunr,l 10. ls5G

EUROPE, January 10, 1856.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
Sir: Every attentive observer must be struck
with establishment at the remarkable change
which the popular feeling in Europe has I'M
dergone, within less than two years with re-
gard to the United States That great country,
which, no longer ago, was generally looked
upon as the home of liberal ideas, and as very
likely, if not by actual aid, at least by example
and moral sympathy, to promote the cause of
European freedom, is now contemptuously spo-
ken of as welded to despotism and intolerance,
and as hostile to human liberty at large while
being not only bent upon making Slavery per-
petual, as well as extending it within their own
territory, but also DESTROYS of seeing frustra-
ted the attempt of France and England at ami
hilating the terrible influence which Russia has
for more than forty years exercised upon the
destinies of Europe.
This change of public opinion on this cont.
nent has been brought about by the infamous
schemes of Mr.. Atchison and his worthy coad-
tutors, by the odious principles advocated by
the Know Nothings, and by the blamable
course which the great majority of the Ameri-
can journals, of almost all shades, have pursued
with regard to the struggle between Russia and
the Western Powers of Europe.
But, though much disappointment, regret,
and even scorn, are manifested by the many
millions of Europeans who had accustomed
themselves to look upon the American people
as the vanguard of Freedom, still many of
them hatter themselves with the hope that the
genuine Republicans, who are not welded to
narrowminded, national prejudices, nor to re-
hgious intolerance, nor to WORKOUT protective
principles in trade, nor to Russian ascendency,
will, at the next Presidential election, acquire
q complete victory, and thus be enabled to
regenerate and restore the American Republic
to its original purity.
But it is evident, if these hopes are to be
realized, the genuine Republican party must
without the least delay, take the most energetic
measures in order to bring about such a COM
plete organization as might give it the strength
which is necessary to secure to it the victory
over its well-trained adversaries, battling with
all the advantages of veteran warriors led
by the most consummate tacticians. ! feel
also assured that it is of vital Importance that
the Republicans guard themselves against CO.
alition with any party adverse to the present
naturalization laws and to religious tolerance,
and that they do not permit themselves to be
entrapped in adopting in their platform any of
the old Wing heresies.
Permit me here TO observe, that the King
dom of Sardinia affords us a new and signal
example of the benefcent influence of the
principles of free trade, and that the people of
Sweden and Norway evince generally great
desire at seeing these principles fully establish
ed among themselves.
1t is not many years since that the names of
! Cass, Douglas, Souls, Foot, and other eminent
| Democrats, were heralded throughout Europe
as allied with the great cause of human free
dom and that the Democratic party was es-
ttenPeeea ssthe 0eapipe RepphliGap. marty in the
Of General Pierce was hailed in Europe, by the
popular party, as a most joyous event. But
when Messrs. Douglas and Cass, and the Dem
ocratic Administration, aided in abrogating the
Missouri Compromise" and in extending the
area of Slavery, then hundreds of thousands of
| liberal minded Europeans began to doubt the
sincerity Of the Democratic party at large, and
to nourish the suspicion that it was sailing un-
der false colors. But this suspicion was chang
| ed, in full conviction, when it was seen that the
Democratic Cabinet, and great many of the
Democratic journals in the United States. took
side against France and England, in their laud-
able attempt at putting a stop to the many
wrongs which Russia, for more than one hun
dred and thirty years, had inflicted upon Eu-
rope, and at humbling the mighty cheftain of
the Holy Alliance, who, in violation of the ma.
tional law and the usages of civilized societies,
had, without declaration Of war, invaded the
Danubian Principalities, and DESTROYED the
Turkish squadron at Sin9pe. From this time.
| J dare assert that the Democratic party be-
came odious to the great majority of the popu-
lar party in Europe.
Still the Know Noth;pgs are yet more dis
| liked among the friends Of Freedom in Europe
and feel warranted in saying that the disgust
and hatred which that party has excited among
! Europeans has been one cause in diminishing
of late, the European emigration-an event
which might cause Joy to the "Know Moth
ings," but which the great majority of intelli-
gent Americans will certainly deeply regret.
The European Liberals entertaining the
aforementioned feelings against the so-called
Democratic" party in the United States
which has, indeed, lost the right to bear that
glorious name, in consequence of its servility
to domestic and forei gn despotism-and against
the Know Nothings, it is very natural that
they generally wish that their eIaigFated breth.
reI in the United States SHALL at the next
Presidential election, unanimously unite in
supporting the candidate of the genuine Re.
publican Democrats. Yes, many of the liberal
continental journals have already expressed
the hope that the adopted citizens, hy their
Unanimous vote, will decide the next Presiden-
tial election in favor of the Republican party.
But though 1t might prove impossible to in
duce the adopted citizens unanimously to sup
port the Republican candidate, feel confident
that the great body of them will vote the Re-
publican ticket, if the Republican Convention
dominates as Presidential candidate man of
fran.ness, nrmness, honesty, and of eminent
abilities, and above all suspicion of entangle-
ment with the Know Nothirgs.
remain yours, &C., PUBL1CoLA.