The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-02
LETTER FROM EUROPE.

PAals. August Id lass,

Nothing can be more agreeable than, after soourn of
several weeks in London, 10 find oneself
foraby and elegantly housed in this mighty city, where
the dcstinies Of two continents Europe and Asia
now decided London it is true has comforts of very
superior order but they not enjoyed except BY the
highest and wcathest classes Paris has attractions to the
rich and the poor aud qualifications Tor every taste and
every capacity 1t takes yoh long TO work your
through the bark of Bnglish gentleman is so
much suspicion, distrt and caution even in his daily
intercourse With You that almost unknowngly sod saph
the infection, and become cautious and distant in turn
willingly admit that once fairly throur rh the bark you
find great deal that is truly ostmabc and much that
VIII eertand your admiration but life is short and
men have not always the time nor the disposition 10 a
proach Others army would cautiously approach
fortress to which it intends TO lay rese In it re-
fuses TO open its deers YET what the national char
acter has failed TO achieve what education and RaWt
and historical tradition have thus far prevented ami
cable and natural approach OF Americans and English
is u fair way Of being brought about BY the
succoss Of the Atlantic Telegraph We viii, get through
the bark now, and perhaps lttie into the wood for
England begins TO appreciate better qualities and
dees not think the less substantial because we are
more daring cnterprising and uwtramu,eisd II our ac
tions Tacy see that we emihently practical peo
pie and that 10 cdt Substantial English qualities we add
many agreeable and useful ones which are more akin to
the French and enable to present to the world tho
| sum total, as an Improvement either OF them And
why should not considering the immense advantages
we possess in climate, SOIL aud geographical position as
well as the fact that the youngest the nations
Of the earth the offspring of the cultivated nations
of Europe, and ce from all The hereditary sess which
cntaied them That The great mass OF our ,co
pie mcomparabS superior In Intelligence self respect
knowledge, and viftue, who is not preudccd un
to his very eye either fail to perceive or venture to
deny but venture great deal frther and claim, in
spite OF the imperfect education OF many of public men,
greater natural talent of practical order better know
ledge Of and of mankind and greater adaptation to
all useful pursuits for American statesmen and egs
laors No nation in the world comprehends the value
of improvements like own in other country is
the term improvement so current coin for which
the very next you meet Is willing and ready to give
you the required change say, then not only are our
people body superior TO the people of Europe but
first will also very favoably compare with the
best men and the highest society Europe boast Of
We may not have much taste, except women in
the way of Dress and there is yet less OF The appre
citation of the fine arts, real affected, than meets
among the class of people In Europe but when
you come to those " improvements which change the
face Of the world, and give to nations and power
full impulse in the direction Of progress America young
she is has established the substantial claims to
propclng of vessels, and the magnetic telegraph
| would alone immortalize the United States it. by
the revolution of the elements, the whole continent
to be swept from the face of the globe. They
mark and foreshadow destiny, and prove that
if we what the English God the mark y call u.s.
it is with view and practically to the end that other ma
tons may participate in the benefits Of our institutions
and profit by the development of physical and in
tellcctual The opinion of the world is
with in expansive policy, and it is merely the
mode in which that expansion is to be effected which
is at all debated in political diplomatic circles Neither
in France in England is there any fixed determine
on either the part of the government or the people
to systematically oppose prevent the spreading of our
institutions and laws, and with them commerce. naviga-
on agriculture, and every species of improvement
continent. The idea Of a world equilibrium the
result of the lucubraon of M Guzot from whom Lord
Palmerston to have received it second hand is
erly defeated by the telegraph cable by which England is
moored to her bigger half and nseparaby connected
with our permanent welfare. England may still look upon
the younger nation upsars unruly young peo-
ple anything else she peases but her fate is
linked to ours and she is, in measure bound to
take of at least far other third nations are
concerned as may hereafter take care of her do
not speak here Of conquest war; and booshcd but of the
quiet achievements of peace which alone really advance
the welfare of mankind and influence all human progress
and of the consequences which must necessarily follow
England alrd Holland were rival nations, and long
and fearful the struggle between them for power and
asccndcncy. Holland brave, warlike nation
| imposed of handful of cnured to every toll
and grown strong by nearly century combat against
| SPAIN the then most powerful nation of the world.
/ Yet Holland, strong, rch and martial as she was
that same Holland which burnt the British fleet at
Gravesend and the French at Dunkrk-could not with
| ;is IfuI of fubt
| England and France. Her two millions Of inhabitants
were match for the growing millions of Franco or
England and after competition for glory that has
dered her immortal in the annals of mankind she last
settled down quietly second rate power. make
such prophecy for England but even her population of
nearly thirty millions and the at
mand (Which it must be admitted, have very nearly
reached their eliminating point WILL in less than twenty
years be greater when compared to tecmng America
than those Of Holland in regard to England and without
loss of wealth valor any virtue that gaccs her
people or adon her rulers She may, by the natural
of events and the law of universal gravation by
which larger bodies attract small ones follow the lead of
the United States and by becoming and nseparnbe
from her in all the substantial pursuits Of life and
drcn Burke s,d very truly that the glory of England
consisted in her colonies to them she must ultimate
y look for her most unfadng laes well for her
safety and happiness.
/
The louisville journal publishes report of the meet
ing of the stockholders in the Southern Pacific Railroad