The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-15


huenoe paramount there. BY the aid, reluctant as it was,
which she afforded the allies. she strengthened her own
position Ia Italy by rendering the latter ~indisposed to IN
terfore there in opposition 10 her interests. All this she
effected without the loss Of a single soldier, and by the
agency of an INSCRIPTIONS and subtle diplomacy alone"
Austria has adopted the idea that it is quite as
well in the present conflict of opinions and interests
in Europe, to make a magnificent show of power,
without, in fact, creating the necessity for its exer-
else. This is evidently the judgment of the House of
Commons upon the subject for the latter body OK
press full confidence in the maintenance of peace in
the midst of the most elaborate and gigantic prepare
tions by both France and Austria for war.
The time has not yet arrived in Europe when its
industry, its wealth, and its machinery can exert a
potent influence over its cabinets and statesmen.
Perhaps the struggle which now threatens an almost
universal CONFUSION is a necessary step TO that end.
There is not a government on the continent which
has not already mortgaged more than half the wealth
Of it's people to carry on ambitious wars and now
all Europe is on the point of conflict to crafty the
pride of one or two individuals. The day is certainly
coming when credits win cease and as the ex-
penses of modern warfare are vastly greater than
formerly, we have some hope and expectation that
the next half century will open the eyes of capital
lists to the extreme folly of trusting their money to
those who know so little of its value and what is
due to the honest creditor,
Meanwhile, a universal war in Europe will be q
universal peace in America. If Europe makes her
self a great consumer, we shall be her great pro-
ducer. If Baron Rothschild lends his money to
France, Austria. Ensland, ana Russia, those govern
ments can afford to pay it over to American farmers
for pork, beef, -four, and other products of our soil.
If war then shall shatter Europe, it will build up
this country. If it shall impoverish the great inn
perial governments of the continent, it viii enrich
our plain republic. We do not invite war. Our
wealth and prosperity is in peace. Our conquests
are in peace. Our victories, which will remain on
the page of history long after Waterloo shall have
been forgotten, are all victories of peace. The great
facts, which we present to the world, that our peo-
pie enjoy the blessings of universal education, that
estates are universally distributed, that we have
added largely to our territorial limits, wholly through
our industry, are the proofs which We exhibit of the
superior power of organized labor.
The witness of a serious fight is very apt to con-
graduate himself that he is no party to it's laws. II
is not an agreeable and entertaining affair. Pre-
cisely so it is with us in the United States. We are
not of the belligerents, and luckily enough it is moi
our habit to interfere with other peoples quarrels
1t is quite as safe in public as in private matters, tc
let those who have a fancy for fighting have their
own way. The most we can do is to express al
opinion that we have never improved our condition
by wars and the equally confident opinion that oul
history in this respect is the history of every othel
nation. aaa
Great Britain, except for her continental wars
would be the richest and most prosperous nation OF
the globe. Her peace policy has been consummat,
wisdom. Her efforts to draw wealth from the industr,
of other nations has been successful beyond all ex
ample. She is q large debtor in this way to the Uni
ted States. Her present Atlantic postal system
draws from us sufficient to enable her to extend liberia
,-~"1 ioDo prontao!e lin f9Ss cbWm Heo
Central America while that between the United State
and Mexico is not fifty per cent. of what the British
merchants command. Our commerce with the Pa
oifc States of South America is a mere trihe whe,
compared with that of Great Britain with the sam,
States so it is all over the world. We are taxed
to maintain the British, because we are wanting II
that liberality without which we must be content tc
occupy a secondary position. With infinite advap
tages, we are the inferior of England in commercial
wisdom and foresight. "~# @1
.I"GE f Gee a##=#