The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-08

FOREIGN OPINIONS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL EIEC-
TIoN-Though there is evidently lurking feeling
Of dread in the minds of the editors of London and
Paris touching Mr.. Buchanan's probable course,
they are on the whole more resigned to his cleo
ton than there once seemed reason to expect.
Almost without exception the foreign press gave
is support to Col. Fremont; both because he
was the candidate opposed to blood, murder and
military despotism in Kansas, and also because
he stood upon a platform Of peace with the
world as opposed to land stealing. The transition
from support of Fremont to contentment with
Buchanan has been effected with singular ease.
But, in reality, that must be very short
sighted person who supposes that any sane
President of the United States could deliberately
set before him programme Of war with Europe
by way of illustrating his Presidency. One can
perhaps imagine an Austrian or q Frenchman
indulging in such foolish deluson for they
are used to incessant wars, delight in them, care
little for trade, aud know that, war or peace,
they must pay for keeping half million of idle
fellows with guns in their hands. But how the
Epglish who are themselves alive to the cost
and folly Of war could ever suppose that this
country, still more conservative and pacific ia
iis instincts, would plunge heaolong into
desperate conflict, either for purposes Of
ACKNOWLEDGMENT or for glory, passes com
Trebcnsicn. -Four times have the people of The
United States declared war, independently Of the
souabbes with the corsairs OF the Mediterranean.
Once, with England, when the British King en-.
deavoitd to rob the colonies of their self govern
ment and forced them TO conquer their indie
pepdence. A second time, when France, in spite Of
repeated remonstrances, persisted in seizIng Ame-
orican ships A third time, when England, in like
manner, insisted on seiziDg American ships, All
American sailors, and American cargoes. An,
fourth time, when Mexico asserted claims to State
Of the Union and actually invaded il for the Pm !:
pose Of conquering it. Now II the English aud
French aud all other foreigners who are quak'ny
lest the United States should make war upvl
them, will be good enough to ponder carefully
these cases they will perceive that in all Of them
the United States were on the defensive their
adversary the aggressor They may rest assured
that this In not coincidence: il Is vital unwrit
ten doctrine of American policy. Aggressive
NtJr lDls COuhuy Will Hot NuHe. ~ We may
hope, too far advanced in civilization for any
thing Of the kind Were foolish President
such MS was poor Pierce for instance to try to
get into an aggressive war, he would find IL as
utterly impossible as IL would be to get into the
moon. The United States would defend the i.
selves If attacked, as they have donc before cod.
iicis Of this Kind are optional with the foreign
world they would not be Of our choosing
While Mr. Buchanan was In England
be was very popular with everybody; but the
moment be came home, and the Champion i'm
broglio began, the Times started the idea that ne
had rrotracted the settlement Of the difficulties
between this country and England in order to
make political capital tor himself This notion
came no doubt from the Foreign Office. anxious
10 shift the blame of the enlistment quarrel from
Mr.. Champions shoulders to those OF some one
else The Times seems TO be getting over il al
last. which is satisfactory. There il no doubt
that one Of the first acts Of the British govern
ment on Mr.. Buchanan's Inauguration, will be to
accredit minister 10 him. We trust tina, both
the President and the Minister will remember
that the people Of England and the people OF the
United States have something better to do than
to squabble about political nonsense