, 1859-06-07


A telegram from Washington states that the
legations Of France aud Russia, ut that capital.
are on the best Of terms, and it seems 10 be
thought that this unity Of sentiment indicates
an accord between the governments which thes
represent. Taken alone, IN incident Of this
kind would be Of little value; but when viewed
as d eorroboration Of other circumstances
which are alleged to exist, eycn n diplomatic
straw Of this kind, may serve in so,ne way as
political weathcr-vaue. We hear nutbil,y about
The United States, Of the position il nay possi.
blr assume in some Of the VARYING cvn,iugen.
cles Of m European war. There arc 10 doubt
good reasons for the general iudifl.rcucc on this
point. The United States have no pre,ensions
to exert eren the smallest modicum Of in-
fuence in Europe. Il d Dart Of her tradi-
tional policy to keep ch~H II all entauelipg
alliances; q resolution wh{1k, 50 far as regards
her relation to Europe, we'll aecords with her
position. At TIE same time, it is very certain
that the United States hare policy with refer
ence to this Continent; apolicy Of political aud
territorial aggraudisement. She iooks forward
to the day when, Us she fopdlv imac1nes the
whole Of North America, ut the very lenst, will
be hers. To realize this dream she waits upon
opportunity; aud who can say what an European
war may bl IL, forth! The United States have
generally becr on friendly terms with France;
aud during t1c lria,ean war hes kussia:phobia
was exceedingly conspicuous. Nothing has
since occurred 10 create any coolncss betwceu
the two natops. The United States hare, tits
true, no particular reason for any peculiar fond
ness for France Tor on several recent occasions
that country has shown disposition to check
any tendency which the Model Republic might
show to break the law Of nations for selfish pur-
poses. The triparitc treaty proposed by Eng
land and France'to the United States, by which
all these countries were 10 hare bound them.
selves neyer to acquire possession of Cuba was
not a thing that could be mistaken. France,
Ill., u. Hn~ a.
distincination to permit the United States 10 OBJ
tain the Queen Of the Antilles, on any terms
whatever She has besides recently been a
check upon fllibusteriug in Central America
For all this, the United S.ates cannot bring
themselves to feel grateful to France. But CIR
cnmstanees may and often do givc new d;rec-
ton to national feeling. and new more on the 4
political ehess-board Of the world generally |
causes change in the interests and policy Of
the countries more Immediately effected.
At present, there is not the least prospect that
the present war will present to the United States
any prospect Of political ambition. What
neither the Crime2n war nor the Indian mutiny
gave her is not likely to be a1ssncted out Of
war commenced between France and Sardinia.
sn the ons hand, and Austria on the other, aud
out OF which England is pretty certain to keep
for considerable time, # not altogether. L
semiotiicial Paris paper, L. Conslisufionz<}, re-
Gently hlnted that Russia was anxious to secure
4 footing in India, as well as to extend her pos
sessions in America. No doubt; and it j. equal
" clear that Russian aggression IN America
could only be at the expense Of England. How
far the United States might. IN the At present
improbable event Of Russia entering seriously:
upon such so enterprise, feel disposed to act,
is somewhat doubtful It is improbable. that.
she would attempt to interfere directly 5atween..
two Po9vers in uhosa quarrel she had no part;
but she might selze ths opportunity to gst up
quarrel Of hsr own. If Russia and England
were drawn into the present wa!-a1nd il ono
we're TO take part in it, it is difficult to see how
the other could longer remain neutrsl-is would
be quite natural that Russia should attempt to
extend the limits Of her Amerieau possessions.
In general European war, France might |
seek to recover her ancient possession of New