New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-04-01
LETTER FROM LONDON.
Special to the New Orleans Crescent.l


Special to the New Orleans CRESCENT
LONDON, March 5, 1851.
Society, in all countries not savage, may be
compared to a vast piece of machinery, moved by
one great central power of sef-interest; with all
its wheels, levers, springs, checks and balances
representing SO many subordinate or accessory
| interests. In its working, it may seem to be, to
the eye of the casual observer, deranged discor-
dant, and inharmonious, because it is viewed nits
conflicts Of interests-that is, in the passions, OBJ
| ects, and intentions of its several members, which
move only in their own spheres and yet force on
the movements of those around them. There is,
| indeed what may be called moral conflict; but
! in the arrangement of that which we call social
ORDERS the bodies all nicely adjusted to each
other, and no part can long stand still or re-
| verse its action, without arrestng every other
part Or throwing it out of gear. The moral con-
| aict which we see going on is the friction which
| attend the working Of all machinery-the poverty,
| vice. suffering, injustice and wrong of all commu
| mites. Probably there are more of these in COM
munities theoretically free, than in those adjusted
| by more rigorous restraints; because where all
are at liberty to follow out their own intentions,
| there will be the greater variety and amount OF
unregulated opposition to encounter and over
| come; while, in those cast as it were in the mold
Of ancient and hereditary custom, men more readily
| themselves
they know it would be vain to resist; and the
| knowledge of which impels them to seek for con-
tentment with their lot. This, to be sure, is I'M
| favorable to progress in those who form the feun-
| lation Or lower stratum of social life; but pro-
gress to them in intelligence and refnement-un-
less it lifted them out of their situation-would be
only progress of discomfort. The desires, as
pirations and hopes of men, in whatever station
YOU place them, are always in advance OF the pos
| sbility of attainment.
say this, the better to smooth the way to the
proposition, that, in proportion to the amount of
| population in two countries, there is more enjoy
> nent of life in Great Britain than in America,
say this, because there is evident in the face of
the vast masses you meet WITH more OF an express
: sion of satisfied ease-even among the poorest
, working classes. They know the limits that bound
, their enterprise and means; and they soon learn
: 10 make the most they can out Of these; whereas
/ among Americans, no man or woman is contented
with his or her condition IN the knowledge that
any body else is richer, more stylish, or more ele
| waited in position. Every man desires to be Gov
| ernor or President and every woman to be his
, wife, And yet, will venture to say, the most
uneasy family in the United States just now is that
which occupies the White House, 1t is not so
here, most assuredly -amoDg high or low, rich or
poor. Another reason is, there are fewer changes
among this people, save such as come in the course
of nature The position of each is secure. And
although there are some changes, they are not SO
/ general may say, so imminent and constant, as
! among you; and this gives every one confidence
in the stability of government trade social order
D and rank. The growth of society in England, like
that OF its oaks, has been SLOW. Consequently ii
is we'll knit together and shows the fibre of endu
rance and tenacity 1t is ring within ring, like
the concentrc circles that mark the years Of the
g national tree. While you, strictly speaking, have
! no society. Your people are always changing
e places-always getting into situations to which
they find it too late in life, or from want of pre-
k vlous training, to adapt themselves. They grow
e old and die, before they begin to live.
Q 1t is true, nevertheless, that you in the Soutl
il are better off than those at the North in these
j. spects. Slavery forms better basis for perma
It nent class which devote itself to higher ant
more refined pursuits, and to cultivate the Sauoi
uivre with the snu0ir fGi7e, and moreover, whose
stability is not likely to be disturbed by politca
d aud social revolution. This is already apparent ii
the quality and power OF your statesmen, SO mucl
: superior to those of the North and l doubt no
Il will yet beome more apparent in your women ant
n literary men, as you begin gradually to assume
G more distinct and characteristic national life
S Literature art, science, will spring from noble
motives than the dictate of necessity; and there
IS fore never be degraded to the level of trade, o.
be inspired by anything less than genius and native
n aptitude.
a But, am wandering from the purpose OF thi
e letter: which was when began it, to speak no
only of the amplitude and complicated machiner,
e of society in England but also OF some of thu
n | dangers now impending over it, and which ough
If to be set forth by your correspondent admo
% nitsn to you, now in the act OF setting up gov
> | eminent for yourselves. England, in the course
g of her commercial and industrial reforms, ha
% come to rest her existence almost entirely upol
m one branch of business or so Tar to 1mpCate i
k in the stability Of that one branch, as to maxi
IS every other in some degree dependent upon it
~ | mean her manufacturing system. Inc repeal 0
5 her corn laws, the reduction of her Imports AMI
Is her treaties with France and other nations, hav
J. drawn away her strength from other pursuits tt
concentrate it upon this one. TO carry abroad he
il fabrics, to bring home breadstnts and the raw
IF material for her mills, constitute the great bull
10 OF her carrying trade. She produces coal
~ iron and few other necessary supplies. But he
fr-l,p fvIlE 70 1rIp In
$, imported freights. Hence she places herself a
e, the mercy of those with whom she trades. Sim
J. up the Baltic, ALLEVIATE the outlying colonies an
,. cut off the cotton crop, ana what would be
ia come of her! Famine, revolution, anarchy, AM
e we know what evils would befall her. Let Franc
Il blockade her principal ports for few months, AM
e no army, no invasion, would be required to reduce
% her. How is it now? The least disturbance il
the foreign market sends thrill through her who'll
ID commercial and industrial systems. The stoppag
is of trade for day. brings millions to the starva
y ton point. That portion OF soclety-nne- tehtn
IL of (which bears the burden OF taXaton build
up the cities and towns and fights its battles live
e from hand to mouth, and knows not to-day wher
d it can get its Bread should tomorrow cut OF 1t
y foreign supplies or close It's markets. ana yer
le such is the unborn confidence of the Engilshma
v in the stability of his institutions that such an ap
re prehenson never dsturbs him for moment. Still
the danger is real, and may be very near its real
,e cation. Engand-great, powerful, renowned
N glorious England-lyes upon suitranee of others.
,e To be sure, nations are, like societies. to degre
10 interdepsndent But they should never becom
is wholly SO. Nations should, at all times and ]
c. every emergency, be able to fall back upon thei
own resources, aud be able 10 do this without su
as fering England small as the area of Great Britai
at and ireland is, has land enough to support, an
e. more than enough to support, her large populs
Ne tons. She could feedwith ease, and TO adVantag
ut sufficient number of working people to supp
at her own artificial and common wants. She did tn
Ne at one time But then the other powers of Eurol
1e were comparatively feeble. As they have gros
ri q X al
pride of England has stimulated her to seek to pc