New-York daily tribune., 1861-12-28
TIE TNTEEswAwEOTAE DIFFICULTY
ALIEN sYHPATIszB3.

TIE gETEEswATE0TAE DIFFICULTY
ALLEN sYMPATIsIES.
Is it too much TO expect that if Aliens of
English origin in this country choose to be
demonstratiye at oil in the existing crisis, they
shall, at least, let the scope Of their influence
tend toward peacel To the stranger within
their gates the American people bave been tra-
ditionally liberal in all that appe<tains TO the
indulgence of his peculiar national sympatbies.
In no other country in the world has such
verge been given TO foreign residents, TO
cherish and propagate political dissent from tho
Government which protects them. They may
not only iubilate, as to themselves seems right,
on their special saint doys, and perpetnatc
their national thanksgvDgs as publicly ard as
loudly as may suit their taste; but they may
even preach political gospel which Is
adverse to the faith o. the American citizen,
and rcyel to their hearts content III tie mem.
ories of a moro ancient national creed, end
purer Government than ours. Bu. the liberty
thus given without stint has lis responsibilities,
and these we should be unwilling to believe
that any large portion OF the alien population
of this country could overlook in such crisis
as the present. We do not so much refer to
the giving or Withholding Of sympathy with the
Administration in its purpose to assert the au-
thority of The laws and uphold the Constitution;
although in that regard it might be presumed
that strangers who enjoy the protection OF the
Government would be slow to show sympathy
with The eonspirators who seek lbs overthrow.
We allude especially to the delicate rela-
tons between this country aud England.
The disturbance OF these relations mast
under any condition, and at all Simes, be one
Of the most painful calamities that the world
could witness. ~ present, the disaster OF an
international war would be aggravated Beyond
conception. The existing rebellion, instead OF
weakening tie nerves Of those who uphold the
National Government in this country, would
but stimulate the fight, and infame the pas
sions enlisted therein. with their means oi
mutual destruction, the two nations OF the
world foreuos; IN liberiy-in social and inlmo'ai
make such general havoc oi
their common interests Gs h;s not yet been seen
in the history of contending peoples.
In the presence Of such contingencies, then,
moderation Of speech is surely Becoming IN a
most speciay in those who have made this
country their home while s.ili owning alien
sympathics and a foreign allegiance. 1t Is as
frequently by ill-adysed words as ty openly
aggressive acts that nations are driven to tic
arbitrameut Of tie sword If England is at
this hour AIMED as she has never been bc.cre
in times Of peace, it IL, perad'enture, due as
much 10 the idle threats Of the French subal-
terms, WHO lkened her Ia a den OF assessns.
~ 70 the stealtby absorption Of Nice, the sus-
pected occupation Of syria, or any overt act OF
a rival rower. Aud in this crisis words
frankly yet temparately spoken may determine
the issue. while passional appeals TO naiioua
pride. or il-cOnceaed sbcers at national defects,
may oggravate quarrel from when there
will be- no escape short Of 4 desperate
and desolotng war. The journals which
paraer to British prejudice on tie other side
OF tie Atlantic may be beyond the reach OF
any appeal for temperance Of discussion; but
the journalists who profess to reflect English
public opinion among ourselves can hardly be
,cnoran. of the duty they owe, at such q mo-
ment as this, 70 the country which shelters
TEEN az well Ms to their istberland. The task
of peace advocates is ono they may assume
with perfect loyalty to their own national ilag,
while a service rendered 10 the cause OF hu-
manity might be some acknowledgment Of what
is due to the Government under whose protec.
ton they find it to their profit or convenience
TO live. Whatever contributes to the abaie-
ment OF those rancOrous feelings which have
been aroused, is an Offering on the altar OF
peace, and it is neither looking FOR what is
unnatural nor expecting what is unjust, TO ap-
peal, in the interest of both nations, to the
prudence and moderation of the English resi-
dents among MS.