The Washington union., 1857-05-07
A WORD TO THE ENGIJsH PRESS.

steamer affect deal of the sehoolmaster-abroad
spirit in regard to our position in Chinese affairs and
indulge in such tone of brch-rod superiority that,
were they not pleasant subjects of amusement, they
might Justly challenge of recrimna-
tion. The Manchester Guardian for instance, assu-
ming for the the tutelage of our honor, and
constituting itself the monitor of duty, is pain
fully exercised by the fear that the government of the
United States blind to their interest in particu-
lar, and to that Of mankind in general may not deem
it advisable to interfere, as belligerent in the An
glo-Chinese difficulty.
To the councils of that government have
no access, and cannot determine what both their
views of expediency and of right have re-
solved. We cannot, therefore, appreciate the pre-
else degree of authority which attaches to the
English press. The Guardian, however, fnd
derives dole of comfort from the idea that
the cooperation of our naval squadron is not
deemed either necessary OF important in the crusade
which England has instituted in the of civili-
zation and humanity Our batteries could be of no
material assistance to her! The history ofthe world
English hstory--bears no record of their efficiency
their lines of frowning defiance have never belched
forth the vindicatons of an indignant people nor
have their mouths sent up the tokens of victory
in the roar of their artillery OF what avail there
FORE and Of what assistance could they possibly bo
to the vicarous conquerors of the Redans of Sebas
topol? Materially, according to the Guardian, of no
sort Of avail in the compaisant appreciation of Eng
land. She merely wanted what the French Conven.
ton, exhausted by home feuds, called Penfluenee
rae de Ia bayostc, when they lined the frontiers of
France with one hundred and seventy-fve thousand
Of those patent dissemnators of "erii-aton and hu
,nanay." She wanted the moral influence of our
squadron imbodied in Paixhans, Dahlgrens, and
shells, which, though neither necessary impor-
tant might still have been satisfactory to the feel
ngs and serviceable to the interests Of England.
We protest that we cherish chary regard for the
feelings of our cousins the water, and enter
tain due consideration for their interests but we, at
the same timo, regret that an awkward habit
of thinking and acting for themselves holds our
people back from every extraneous, however disin-
terested suggestion of either duty or propriety.
The Guardian, amidst the intricacies Of commercial
advantages may, here and there catch glimpse of.
moral obligation our part Still we beg leave to
assure it, that in spite of the sharp practices lying
ly attributed to people, they are far from the
presumption TO compete with England in that spe
cies Of emncnce nor have they yet for all inducing
examples, narrowed down their system of public
ethics to the square Of eachest or the contents of
opiunl,jug.
The Guardian, therefore, or any other press that
claims to shape and control opinion in Eng land will
spare us its censures if people under the pres
sure Of it may be, very foolish habit, sec no rea-
son, in the present juncture of affairs, to CRAFTY
the feelings or subserve the interests of gooL
kinsnen abroad, by plungng into Chinese war
Whenever national honor or national interest has
demanded their action, this same habit has sus-
tanned and taught them to look for decision to
themselves This was the lesson of their fathers in
their infancy and they have found no reason to
pudiate the wisdom Of their political ancestry. In
the settlement of questions, reducible to the arbra
ment of arms, they lay down the argument for them
selves, and enforce il by the most lawful means at
their command. But in this contemplated appca
ton Of the Ultima ratio regthis appeal to the vic
torous logic Of kings-they must be allowed to look
into the soundness of the premises before they can
reasonably be called upon to be one of the members
of the warlike syllogism, with which England seems
bent ON trying conclusions with the imperial Majesty
CT China
Under all whatever may be the
final policy demanded by the complication of events
not now foreseenthe English press may hold il for
certain that the prouder traditions of the country
will not be beled that the administration, faithfully
rejecting the sentiments of the American people,
and giving them due efficiency by every appliance
which honor may sanction will truly consult not
only the interests of our people, but the progress
also of civilization, if that shall be proved to be
genuine element of the contest. We would have our
good transatlantic friends dspel the idea so distress
ing to them, that we can be shortcoming to our own
detriment but especially would we have them con-
vnced that the safety of the former and the claims
of the latter will be tended with equally
watchful care and prudential zeal. But we would
60 stll further--anxious for their peace of
mnd-we would dispe their apprehensions, as
suring them that "no personal il-will to their
try which may be entertained by any member Of
Mr. Buchanans cabinet" can--f such ever existed
but in the sensitive brains of corfares-ever in
trude upon their frmsct ptfposc of duty, or their
appreciation of what is due to the civilization of
mankind All ideas TO the contrary are begotten of
those amiablc fears which year past disturbed
nd nd udy yic