The Nevada Democrat., 1856-09-10


the British parliament, whatever party may be
in power, are ever persistent in questioning the
ministry. The principle upon which they act
corresponds with that of our own. The differ
ence is in effect. With us, to demand is gene
rally to obtain. For even the administration
party dare not vote to conceal what may be
properly disclosed. In England, ministers do
just as they like; and, as general rule, their
party sustains them in every pretence for the
necessity of secrecy. 1t is a common answer
that "the government is not prepared to furnish
the information asked by the honorable gentle
man," and there is an end to the matter for the
time being. 1t is bound up in "red tape" and
nothing but the majority against ministers can
cut the knot And the ministry itself is united
Another party goes into power, makes such an
exposure as it chooses of the state of affairs and
then pursues precisely the same course as every
other administration which has preceded 1t, and
is just as close as an oyster.
There is reason for this policy among Euro
pean governments, but it is very poor one
None of them are really conducted honestly
and purposes inconsistent with plain, straight
forward course of action. Intrigue enters large
ly into them, as a component characteristic, and
it is esteemed essential to success. To be frank
therefore, is impossible. The two things cannot
co-exist. Intrigue and candor are utterly ire
concilable. There is sometimes a miserable at
tempt to practice one and exhibit the other, but
it entirely fails. There is apparent on the part
of England disposition to appear very frank
and candid in its intercourse with the United
States Its late proceedings on the enlistment
question afford an instance in point. The
thing itself was paltry attempt to do wrong
with an outward respect for right Mr.. Cramp-
ton was instructed to do q very foolish and dis
reputable thing; and neither he nor any other
man could have done it without conflicting with
the laws of the United States, either in the let
ter or spirit. The very instructions were con-
trary to that spirit of neutrality which England
had actually invoked at the hands of our gov
ernment Mr.. Champion bungled, and so would
any body else, more or less. Yet when the
thing was exposed, England affects innocence of
anything in contravention with our laws or in
derogaton of the national dignity and honor
The diplomatic intercourse which has grown
out of this affair has redounded incalculably to
the credit of the United States. And its inhu-
ence is felt and recognized by the British press.
They discover in the attitude of this country, in
the matter of diplomacy, the Importance and
commanding influence of truth, sincerity of mo-
tive, directness of purpose and frankness Of
speech. In fact, they feel that the latter is alb
solutely dependent upon the former. 1t is with
nations as with men; where there is habitual
spirit Of ambiguity ana d0uDle-deaIng perVau-
ing the nature Of men or the systems of govern
ment, candor can only be affected, it cannot be
practised.
The effect of this enlistment controversy, we
believe, will be permanently good, at once with
respect to the quality of British diplomacy and
upon the press of England and the continental
nations. 1t presents American diplomacy in an
exemplary aspect to every intelligent man.
And none can fail to see that the strength of
the American side of the question, and the dis
! tinguished success with which it has been vim
dicated, are owing to the truthfulness Of fact J,
the drectness with which it was urged, and the
entire unreserve with which they were applied
to the argument with the British government.
Beyond this influence of open diplomacy the
matter has unquestionably produced very sal
utary effect in the exhibition Of frmness with
which the American government insists upon an
adequate redress of wrong She convicts the
most powerful government of Europe of a
breach of national comfy, and demands suita-
BILE redress. An apology is offered, but the de-
mand is not respected. Redress is exacted by
the United States government, in the manner it
has itself proposed; and the British government
yields tacit assent to its justice. Nothing
more than what is right is asked nothing more
than what is right is done. This is in precise
accordance with the infexible principle of the
American character, and it speaks trumpet
tongued to the intelligence and admiration
of the world.--BdL. Sun.