New-York daily tribune., 1859-01-12
,upoprAy OPINIONS OF THE UNITED
STATES.
.x..s6 ne n. Y. Thhune.

Tnere IL much thouebtlessness in reference 70
lueries prevailing smong Europesn poll'ici'ns.
Tie republican propaganda, with which the Unltea
States we're supposed for a while to thressen the
Old World, has lost it's terrors, since many dls-
auvoipted refugee Or emigrsnt has loudly Pre-
ehimed that there is nothing TO initiate IN the
meat model Republic Of the Western hemispnere.
Hthe United States, then-sush is the verdict OF
NE prevailing opinion in Eurcpe-h the Uni'e'
States are no! that great model Of pure republican
im. feared BY the one and hailed by the other nan
# European soeiety--to Europe, they are no'hins
At an. That whether worthy TO be imi'ated or
Stunned as an example, they hare become one oi
the great Powers determining by their mere exist
1epee thorough change in the relative Y si'ioh "
European States and affecting, I'D tne most essen
tial manner, The general balance OF power o' tno
world-this fact does not appear 10 nave struck 'ne
attention of many even OF the more intelligent
II Z true that before the United States Of Amer
;ra had taken their present position among the
srest Powers, Russia had already added new
element to the European system, ehaclng IN poi-
tics the boundary between Europe and ASA when
had been adopted in geography. Bat Russla, al
home in Eastern Europe, and Systematically inter
neddIDQ with the political affairs of the Occident,
could not appear in any other light than 10 that OF
mere excrescence on the European body, unthf
corresponding formation was produced on the other
side Of the system BY the independence and grow
INC power Of the North American federation;
and then it became clearly visible that civilizs-
ton and historical action had outgrOwn the
limits Of Europe, east and west. From this time,
she European OccideDt or what may be called
Europe prOper-for so many centuries the tneatef
On which the higher drama OF human history was
exclusively acted leaving the lesser class OF per-
q. 20 fha ,uf.r staup of
world--has been compelled TO share IT'S blgh posi-
ton with America on one side and with Russia OH
the other. Europe at the present time IS but the
central term Of more universal system OF human
civilization a ~ stem of which America and Russia
form the two extremes opposite to each other in
principle, well in geographical position, at
tracing each other like the opposite poles OF elec-
tricity, as long at least as they do not come into
TOO close neighborbood, which would change at
traction into repulsiOn.
Three circumstances concur to make Europe un-
Ct 10 appreciate historical fact of such gigsntic
magnitude, and it may be useful to explain them.
The time will come when America will just as
much need TO understand Europe, ss Europe now
needs to appreciate America.
The fret impediment to clear insight into the
present situation of the world in reference to
America is the natural concet and vanity OF an old
civilization. / am very far from seriously compar
ing the civilization of modern Europe, which, in
70 many respects, is the realization of the higher
suture 10 which our race has elevated itself-l am
hr, j say, from comparing this civilization with
that Of China. But when Europeans, the same
men who are called barbarians by the Chinese man
darns in spite of all the superiority Of European
skil,s power and success-when they, with the
haughty idea of undisputed and undisputabie emi-
Rence blind to the fact that rival power grow.
ing up in another part Of the world, such blind
nees reminds me Of the deafness Of Commissioner
Yeb, when this worthy did not hear the report OF
Of .nHr tn his
ear. There is nothing extraordinary in either the
deafness or blindness. Both have prevailed when
ever any great change in the destiDies OF the
world has been going on. The voice of Cassalflra
has been prOverbial from the time OF Pram, and Is
now commonplace, without men having become
wiser for that, Destiny would not be destiny IL II
were understood.
The second obstacle is in the wrong conclusions
which are generally drawn from the less commend
able features of American life i have had many
conversation about this part Of the question, and
find the prevailing opinion to be that the growing
power of the United States has been greatly over
rated, us their growth could not escape being
stunted by the vices of American life. In Eu-
ropean papers, from The London Times down to the
small provincial periodicals of the continent, you
will read that the men of superior education ana
integrity of character keep alOof from public
life in the United States, and leave the field OF poll
tic to rowdies and pugiliNs. Such a state of
things it is said, has no claims to the expectation
Of future greatness. 'The United States, YOU
may hear Europeans assert have alreidy passed
"the eliminating point of their Development; they
care like their children-old before the time. The
"UDion will 60 to pieces before il has been able
"to take in reality the position OF great power
America is following general law OF history, by
"which colonies have rapid development and u
"short-liyed existence" In this strain their rea-
soning is carried on, forgetting the most obvious
hcts Of history and politics, by which the argu,
ment loses all IFS power. Thus they forget the fact
that all the States Of Europe have been
colonies in their time, and that certain nations
whose early history has been distinguished by bru
tal force, nay even by crime, have aflerward been
among the leaders Of civilization and among the
first powers OF the world. Ii should not be OBJ
jected 10 this remark that the inhabitants of the
United States have no right 10 call themselves
young nation, they have received their full share
Of the old civilization of Europe which they ought
to have brought down undiminishedTo the present
generation; while even Americans Themselves COM
plain of a retrograde movement in public morals
and politics as going in the United States-for,
even # the latter fact should be true-it is clear
that Independence must have its own school and
find It's own way to perfection. But Europe will,
nevertheless, speak Of America as an old grand.
mother who is sure the wild boy grows worse and
worse ever! day, and is going TO break his neck
ere long.
The last impedment TO a. full understanding Of the
true political situation of the world is in the habit of
considering Russia essentially European
power, which it is not and should not be.
II is very true that, as children are taught
in school, Europe extends to the Ural Noun
tains. But Russia is on both sides Of that noun.
tain chain, and the geographical distinction Of Eu
rope and Asia has no political meaning there. The
names of Furone Asis and Africa have been ey-