Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-03-05
From the London Times, Feb 2.
GREAT BRITAIN AND TILE UNITED STATES.

lantic but probably the United States were we'll
left out, for there is nothing that we could say
about them just now that is likely to please them.
For our own sake, as well as theirs, We could
most sincerely wish that the machine OF govern.
nient in the great republic worked i little more
smoothly, and WAS not so apt to get clogged in
some places and stimulated to violent and dis.
truc,iTe action in others. Differences have arisen
as they will arise occasionally between the best
friends, between us and the American Republic.
War, always odious and destructive, would be
against such IN cnemya thousand times more
revolving than against any other. 10 sweep her
commerce from the seas, 10 destroy her navy, to
ravage her abord, would be teals neither DIFF
iicult nor dangerous to apowcr with such forces
rs Great Britain now possesses, but little would
be the honor and heavy the loss OF this suicidal
triumph We are unwilling to fght-not be-
cause VIC fear our eneues, for never were condl-
tons Of combat more unequal than those would
he between Great Britain and the U. States at
this moment, but because We cannot bring our
selves to regard them as enemies ut all. When
Lucan spoke of Il more than civil war, he must
surely have alluded 10 such Il war as would DC
wagcd between Great Britain and Norh Amerl-
ca The parent devastating the fair inheritance
of the child, kindred hands employed in roofing
out that prosperity, the increase OF which has
overllowed in the tide Of riches into this island,
arc subjects too painful for contemplation, and
from which the mind of every Englishman turns
aside with unronquerabe disgust. Let us have
war, if need be, with any other nation, but not
with those colonies--the proudest historic nionu.
meIlt we possess, the most enduring memorial
Of Auglo Saxon greatness.
Yet what can we do, and how avert that which
this exlrao :dnary nation, those who have ut least
the legal right to speak in its name. seem to
be determined to bring upon us! Were the
whole attention of the whole public mind OF
America bent upon the question, we might
hope for satisfaction and Il reconciliation; but
what is to be done wilha nation which is drifting
heedlrssly into war with i people possessing i
splendid army and the finest navy in tie world,
while it possesses, in truth, neither Inc one nor
the other. A few Thousand soldiers scattered
over an immense continent. ana vessels carrying
in all about 500 guhs, are literally all the re-
sources with which the United States confront
the enormous fleet and wc!I-tr;Iiurd armies Of
England, about 10 be set At liberty BY the i'm
pending peace with Russia. If We were the
aggressors-lf, taking advantage of the enor-
nous disparity Of our force, We had been mean
and base enough TO force i quarrel on al un-
offending neighbur-no words would have been
sufficiently vigorous to reprobate our conduct;
but what il TO he said when n Power utterly
helpless in military and naval resources insists
on fixing US with quarrel Which We have as
little power to avoid Us has adequately to
carry out!
We find, indeed, in America IN Executive
Government, which is ready enough to exchange
defiance with u.s. but that Government is on the
very eve Of its dissolution, and is we'll known
to be using a quarrel with Great Britain rs i
means Of courtng popularity for the coming
elections. We have i difference with it with
regard TO certain places in Central America. and
the Interpretation Of treaties relating to them.
Whether We are right or wrong in our view of
the case. we will not stop to inquire at any rate,
we have adopted the most concatory step in
our power, for We have offered 10 leave the
quarrel to the arbitration Of any impartial Stare
and to bide by whatever award tnay be given.
America re- jects this offer, and continues the
argument, which succession Of letters and
memorials have worn completely threadbarc.
Meanwhile band of pirates, issuing from her
own shores, seize upon portion Of the disputed
territory, and, so far from REFRESHING their out
RI ges, we find the naval forces OF the United
States engaged in assisting them against the
authorities of the State which they have invad.
ed. Our offers of IN amicabe reference are re-
fused, and armed violence, seconded by the forces
of the State, is let loose to seize by force that
which we in vain beg them 10 refer to friendly
arbitration.
Is we turn to another cause Of quarrel--the
enlistment in Canada of American citizens for
the English service in the Crimea-we find
quarrel intempcrately urged and vehemen'ly
pressed BY !he American Government nolwit!l-
standing our disclaimer of any intention to vio-
late their muniripal laws, and our offer of the
amp!cst satisfaction to the oHeded dignity of the
States Amends more than enough 10 satisfy the
offended pride and wounded sensibiy OF any
private gentleman, have been offered in vain.
They cannot be content with satisfaction unless
il be attended with hu,nilLiiion and require that
we should withdraw our deseryedy popular
Minister from Washington as IN expiation to
the injured dignity Of The Union, We trust
that this rash intention is not finally determined
on, or, after 80 hlgrant and unprov"ked an in
suit, it may be long indeed before Washington
will behold another representative Of the Cabinet
of ST. James.
But let Us appeal from the Executive Govern
mcnt to the people, and see whether the repre-
scntatives of the community will support the
Government in forcing upon Us, in spite of
offers dissatisfaction and appeals to arbitra,ion,a
quarrel to US most un~elc0me and unnatural,
and to them assuredly most disastrous and ca
lamitous. Alas the representatives of the people
can rive US no answer: They have eyes and
sec not, ears have they and hear not. They
have met together now for seven weeks but
they are concerning themselves with nothing
relating to the public except fruitless attempts 10
elect a Speaker The American press. to its
honor raises its voice against this state OF things
but raises its voice in vain. In the anarchy and
suspension of all the functions Of government
into which the country has fallen, the Executive
seems cmancipated from. all control, and dis
posed to Use its power to drive things to I
point at which, though the reason Of the coun-
try may condemn, its patriotism will be bound
TO support them. The situation is becoming
ever day more critical. and We must await the
result with frmness nsprcd by 4 confidence
in our strength, aud the knowledge that we
have done and will yet do all that pacific and
honorable nation can do 10 avert the catastrophe
which seems impending, not over US, but the
nation that has surrendered the care of its honor
and peace into such hands at so anxious mo-
ment.
TIE Know.Not!iEgs, in convention at Philadel-
pbia, have nominated Ey-President MhLARD
FtLLMorE, of New York. for the Presidency,
and ANDREW JACKSON DoEELsoN, of Tennessee,
for the Vice Presidency The first is Wing;
tho last has be.n Democrat So the domination