The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-06-09

AMERICAN OPINION On EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
The tendencies Of public opinion in this country
are, as yet, but imperfectly understood abroad
Because our institutions are republican, many
suppose that we must necessarily incline towards
theories subversive Of other forms of govern
ment. We unquestionably have our sympathies
in favor Of systems akin to our own but we rarely
fever, allow our judgments to be swayed by them.
The experience Of the last dozen years, one would
think, would be sufficient to demonstrate the
generally impartial action of the American mind
in regard to European politics 1t establishes
the fact that in the consideration of the conflicts
which arise between other governments, we look
rather to the justice Of the principles than to the
political systems involved.
When, in 1854, war was declared between the
Western Powers and Russia, the public sentiment
of this country was universally arrayed on
the side of the latter. English statesmen
and writer's thought it singular that repub-
licans should take the part Of despotic
Power against governments representing, in a
greater or less degree, popular principles, and
leagued together, as the phrase went, ito protect
the weak against the strong" Rejecting the clap
trap of their pretences, we examined the position
which they had assumed through the broad light
Of international policy. In the discussion of the
questions which had led to hostilities and in the
enunciation Of the prospective objects which the
alliance embraced we found on the part of Eng
land and France tone so dictatorial and AFRO.
giant that we were forced to the conclusion that
there was more danger to the rights of other ma
tons from their union than was involved in the
encroachments of Russia upon Turkey. Alb
stractedly, we never, at any time, concurred in
the apprehensions expressed of the results of the
establishment of Russian sway over the Ottoman
populations. We believed that great benefits to
human liberty and to commerce would flow from
it; but these opinions were merely speculative,
and the disapproval expressed by our people of
the league against Russia was confined to the
more positive sentiment that it was perilous to
the interests of the world. Thus we showed our
selves as ready to discourage the pretensions of
popular governments, when convinced of their
selfshness, as we subsequently proved ourselves
willing to countenance them when satisfied thew
were in the right.
In 1857, when the Indian mutiny broke out,
universal feeling of horror and indignation
was manifested by our people at the atrocities
committed by the insurgents. This feeling would
have taken more decided form had the oppor-
tunity presented itself. We believe that if the
British government had required assistance, and
could have legally enlisted recruits here, they
might have raised force of hundred thousand
men in the course Of few weeks Fortunate
ly, their aid was not required, and it is to be
hoped that British justice will prevent the posi-
bility Of such dismal necessity, by inducing
more humane administration of the powers OF
the government in Hindostan.
In 1859 public opinion here has been equally
prompt in manifesting its sympathies on the side
Of justice in the discussion of the issues that
have led to the Italian war. Whilst England
has been stealthily casting the weight of her in.
fuence into the scale against Italian indepen-
deDce, we have not hesitated at once. TO declare
our sentiment in favor of the course pursued by
France. We were not to be blinded by the re.
vival Of old traditions and old prciudices to tue
fact that tie French Emperor had everything to