The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-08-09

ing for, is rather trying to peoples feelings.
The Rise aad Fall or Modern Nations.
National progress is a term very much in
vogue among US, but few recognise the law of its
Development or the ultimate certainty of its
end. Yet there are few things more clearly
defined than the fact that the career of every
nation is marked by clear pendulum like swing
between internal disseDsion and external expan-
sion, and that during its forward march it carries
in its bosom the latent seeds of decay which
begin to terminate whenever the process of
development has ceased. The continued extern
sion of the power of mind over matter, in rail
roads, steamships, telegraphs, and the thousand
appliances that bring the continents nearer to
each other, increases the contact aud intercourse
between nations, and enables man to stretch out
his hand 10 the utmost limits of the earth to sup.
ply his material wants, while it stimulates
national progress, also hastens the coming of
national decay.
The first of these propositiors may seem strange
to the reader but let him look at it little as it
bears upon ourselves and others.
A very cursory examination of our own hsto-
ry as a nation shows its truth. The internal
raj constitution came very near destroying the
union of the old Thirteen States; but no sooner
had the excitement subsidized than the public
mind took an opposite direction, and, clamoring
for the free navigation of the Western waters,
forced the statesmen of that day, much against
A. I'LL 10 tba hos Of
came the backward swing of the popular instinct,
and the Missouri Compromise question threatened
a rupture of the Union, as the adoption of the
constitution had done before it. On the subsi-
deDce of this agitation the popular wave again
turned to expansion, and the Texas and Mexican
war questions overwhelmed the statesmen who
opposed them. From the expansion over one-half
of the Mexican territory, the public mind flowed
back again to internal disquiet and the Kansas
question for q time seemed destined to no other
solution than disunion. Whether the popular In
stinct is now receding from dissension, and again
carrying us to an era of expansion time will de-
eide. Present appearances would seem to indI-
cate that the next swing of the Union pendulum
may carry ii to Cuba Mexico, or Central Ameri-
ca. all of which exhibit the signs of approaching
annexation.
In Europe the same law Of national progress
holds in the three nations which really pre-
cent unmstakeable evidences Of political life and
increase France is vibrating between revolu-
ton and aggressive war. The sanguinary era Of
'93 was followed by the conquest Of En-
rope; that again by the expulsion Of Charles X;
then came the acquisition Of Algeria, followed
by the revolution Of AZ, which was in turn
succeeded by the war in the Crimea and extern
sion of conquest in Africa. Russia, too, exhibits
a continued alienation between domestic conspi
racy and territorial aggrandzement-the one as
sassinating her Emperors and the other extending
her boundaries from the shores Of the Baltic
seuthward to the Black Sea and east TO the Pa
cfc ocean. The great problems Of Europe now
are, whether France is on the eve Of another re-
volution, and shall Russia extend her limits to
the Mediterranean In Europe, or beyond the heart
of China In Asia.
A like operation If seen in the British en-
pire; but the conservative instinct there pro-
vides against the dangerous excess OF the
element of internal disquiet by repeated
administrations of small doses Of revolution to
the popular instinct. Thus the emancipation OF
the Catholics, the Reform bill Of Earl Grey in
$780, and the concession Of local Legislatures to
the colonies were all concessions 10 the internal
discussion spirit, and they alternate with further
conquests in India, and wars with China and Rus
sa. Even lately we have seen the operation of
this natural law there. No sooner was peace
declared than the public mind was again intent
upon internal change, and Palmerston skilfully
retained power by appealing to both OF the
phases of popular instinct. He promised the ma
ton not only war of aggression in China, but
bit of revolution at home in the shape Of re-
form bill next year.
Such are the characteristics Of national pro-
grets: and no sooner do the elements Of expan-
sion become exhausted than the seeds Of decay
which every nation carries In its bosom begin TO
terminate. In fact, we may see their partial
operation in the midst of present national life
and progress. England and France exhibit it
in The decay of that portion of their empire
within the American tropics. There portion
OF the body polite has become paralyzed and
withered. II like effect were TO be produced
upon the whole mass, their national decay would
be contamination. Such result, II is To be
hoped, however, is far distant; but il behooves
all to examine closely what are the causes likely
10 produce il, ard what are the signs of their ex-
istence.
We believe that a philosophical examination of
the life springs Of national progress in the pre-
cent sge will demonstrate that the germ ofnation.
al decay for all Of the great living and progress
five nations of the civilized world not only exist.
within them but that IL is the same with all, al.
though under different stages of Development in
each. This germ of decay for European civiliza.
ton is the desire to reduce all races of men to
one moral and social standard In Great Britain
we see iis deleterious influence in is past exer-