The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-10
ENGLAND TnE REPREsENrAIIvE on FREE IN.

SITTUI1ONS IN EUROPE-THE ANGLO FRENCH
ALLIANCE.
England is the only considerable power in Europe
which maintains a constitutional government. The
entire continent is fortified camp-a grand MILF
tary establishment which commands sovereign au-
thority over cabinets. courts, and legislatures
There is, strictly speaking, no civil administration.
The animsting principle of all government is in the
War Office These simple facts should be remem-
bered in connexion with the Anglo-French alliance
They give us the key to unlock and expose the mo-
tives of the two PARTIES and furnish at the
time with material by which we judge of the
probable duration of the compact. We are in this
country deeply interested in understanding the char
acter of the alliance. Nobody doubts the sentiments
of the British nation upon it. They contemplate no
pies of constitutional government--no backward
movement looking to the disfranchiscment of the
people. They would have no alliance which could
weaken their power as free nation They constitute
the breaw against which tho surgcs of military
despotism ON the Continent may beat in vain.
Strengthened by local Notifications and by colossal
naval force always at command, the citadel of their
power, after all, is in the Judgment and ndomitabe
will of the people themselves. They unconquerabe
equal to their courage and fidelity to the cause of
free government. However much we may find to
condemn in great cousins, we have no just right
to suspect them of teachery to the of free in
stitutons They maintain monarchical system, but
their progress towards popular cnfranchisement has
been steady, uniform, and certain ever since the
great charter was wrested from King John. Then,
what means the Anglo-French alliance? Does it
look to the accomplishment of any purposes neon
sistent with the integrity of the British system of
government? Does it embrace an understanding
that free institutions shall remain quite intact in
England, and elsewhere be treated as tares in the
political vineyards of the word2 Has England
purchased an exemption from assaults upon
herself by agreeing to principles of active inter-
vention elsewhere? Is the decrepd monarchy
of SPAN to be rejuvenated 2-are the broken
columns Of Spanish power to be removed and the
old structure repaired and fortified under the drec-
ton of the great architects and engineers of PARISH
We cannot believe SO. Such programme would be
equivalent to the abdicaton of government in Eng
land. The institutions of that country not old
furniture to BIO thus laid away in safe storage The
British navy, SO long the mistress of the seas is not
thus to be dsmantled hidden under the safeguards
of her forts aud arsenals England has not lost her
courage well as her sagacty But these are ana
lytical speculatons only. Time will develop their
justice and their injustice. Meanwhile the American
people have right to infer that transatlantic
brethren contemplate the least the very least sur
render of the great principles of popular rights IN
her alliance with the government of Napoleon. In
deed, if we ambitious Of the distinctions
of prophecy, we should say that any attempt on
the part of France to intervene in American affairs
for the purpose of re-estabshing monarchica rule
this Continent would test the strength and ulti-
matcIy break the back of the Ango-French alliance.
We can have no political league with England but
we have an industrial connexon with that country
which is more powerful enduring, and vigorous
than tho British constitution itself. This is not tho
language of extravaganza. It's the simple truth
Of which we are pcrpetually notified by the inter
course of the two peoples, and by their thorough
identification in a comprehensive and minute system
of mutual exchange of products, and consequent de-
pendence upon the other. This is alliance with
England and without expressing word of dis
trust Of that people, we confident it is which
will endure long after the Anglo-French compact
shall have been forgotten even by historical read
The day has gone by when nations can be long
controlled and governed by the personal ambitious
schemes of individuals. There is a law now which
governs mankind-a law which may not, for the mo-
ment be executed but which, in spite of all obstruc-
tions will find means for its own ultimate enforcement
Those who rule in Europe ought to feel that,
though they supreme to-day, their tenures are
no longer of divine origin and that the ofrevou-
ton, whose wheels seem completely blocked may
again be set in motion by the irresistible power Of
the popular will. At least, they ought to be wise
enough not to undertake system of expansion which
shall attempt to exercise power this side Of the
water. We cannot speak for the London cabinet
but We hold il be imposssiblc that the British peo-
pie would ever consent to movement in their rear,
which, being successful, would place them at the
mercy of the absolu,istic governments of Europe.
In this part Of the world we have no idea Of going
backwards. We can see a great Improvement on the
transactions OF the last generation, and much
upon that period of human existence and govern
ment when Athens and Sparta put to death tho her
aids Of Darius, who came TO demand earth and
ter in token of submission 'to tho great King" We
maintain free insttutions--our sovcreigns arc too
numerous to be objects Of curiosity, and people