The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-05-26

Now, that is quite II different thing from
being in a position of defence. 1t is one
thing TO he in POSITION in which you can
defend yourself, an! another thing to- be IN
position Of armed neutrality" ty which
you signify, though you do not directly de-
clare, that yon mean to take part with one
side or the other The EARNED neutrality"
adopte" hal! Il century ago 10y Russia and
some other powers, was IN armed neutrali-
ty intended to be offensive to this ountry;
aud SO offensive to this country WAS it, that
she sent Lord Nelson, her best naval com.
mander, to put an end to it. Now, it ap
pears to ne that our position ought to Lc
one OF fair and honest neutrality, ready to &c
frnd ourselves if we are attacked, but not
intending TO take part with either Of these
two great powers, if they should go 10 war.
! Why, may ask, are we to take such !.
part? What questions Of the honor, the
interest or dignity Of this couutry arc like
ly to induce us to take part9 Let us sup
pose that we were to take part i'll favor Of
What may, to enthusiastic minds, appear to
be the cause Of the liberties Of Italy. Sup
posing we were to say, ave will take part
with France and Sardinia, and will drive
Austria, rs far as in our power, out Of her
Italian possessions" Well, i'll the first
place, we have no just cause Of quarrel with
Austria. We have no right to say to Austria
that she has done any injury to lis. But,
in the next place, are we quite sure that we
should he helping the liberties Of Italy by
taking this part'
When country is over-run with grca,
armies, whichever party conquers the pco-
pie are likely to suffer. Italy has felt that
il she fought with the sword Of another ma
ton, whether conqucring or conquered she
was equally in servitude and is it to be be,
that licvcd when The armies Of France over
spread the North Of ItaIy-surposing the
French tobe successful, and their vmlicasion
Of Italian independence to be complctc-thc
Government of France would not SLY, ave
are entitled to some compassionate some
indcmnity-for the efforts we have made;
and that indemnify must be afforded by
the territorial ACCOMPLISHMENT Of France"
Now, that might be fair and natural
thing for France to say but is it an Object
for which Great Britain should struggle
| should say certainly not:
Then let us take tic other side Of the
question. 1t is impossible not to perceive.
from what has been said for scrne years by
the leaders Of what is called the conserva-
tive party, in the House Of Lords aud in
the House Of Commons, that their aifrc-
tions are on tho side OF Austria-tlat when
ever they have spoken OH this subject, they
palliated and praised the conduct Of Austria;
that they have excused the Government of
the Neapolitan dominohs, if they have not
deemed it almost an Object Of admiration;
and that they have dlsappfosed the efforts
of the Italian people. You may be quite
sure; therefore, that if they propose we
sloul'l take part in this war, the part which
they will say the honor, the interests anl
the dignity of this country indicate will bc
in favor Of Austria and against those who
are opposed to that power: For upwards
Of forty years Austria has exercised her
power not merely by governing those do
mnions which she has acquired by con
quest or by treaty, according to her own
views Of government-for am not dispu
ting that she may do that; Lut she has ex,
tended her infucnce-the influence of
despotic government and benighte,l re-
ligion-as far as sire could, to every part
Of italy. Now there are upwards of 20,.
100000 Of Italians not included iii Lom-
hardy or Venice or the dominions which
appertain to Austria and would it he n
fit course for this free country-a course
that any Englishman could approve-that
we should send our fleets and armies to rs
sist in the oppression Of those 2o,ooo,ooo
Of people say therefore-and | am
glad to see you agree with me in the scnt
mcnt-that we are not bound by any con-
sdcration for tile honor or for the interests
Of this country-ahd onr dignity follows
our honor and our intercsts-or by any
consideration whatever, to take part in the
approaching struggle. Undoubtedly we
have treaties but the only treaty which
it seems to me may possibly be brought iii
question, though think it is not likely to
be brought in question, is one into which
we have entered with other powers of Eu-
rope for the defence Of the neutrality Of
Belgium, If the neutrality Of shmt State
were inlringcd. II there should be any at
tempt to condtier Belgium, we are bound
by treaty, we are bound Ivy good faith, to
protect the independence Of that country.
Now gentlemen, there is no obligation or