The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-24

OOncentrotAOm OF American, POl1t1ctaNO
I'm England and France.
Every one has read the descriptions given by
the historians of the time of Louis XVI. of
France Of the picturesque appearance of Ben
jamin Franklin, at Versailles, when he first
stepped in among the belaced and bepowdered
surrounders Of the French Court, and pleaded
the cause Of the American colonies against the
tyranny Of Great Britain. With the advent Of
that plain spoken, homebred advocate of demo-
cratic institutions, WAS sown the seed which af-
forwards terminated into the French Revolution,
and paved the way for the tremendous social
and political revolutions that have since con-
vulsed the continent of Europe. state of
manifested in France, but more especially in
England, very analogous to that which was de-
veloped then, and which may be fraught with
the most momentous consequences to the future
history of Great Britain. Ever since the out
break Of the rebellion in the slaveholding States,
large numbers Of Southern politicians have been
streaming into Europe, for the purpose of produ-
cling, especially in England and France, favor
able state of feeling towards the secession cause.
Such men as Yancey, Rost, Dudley Mann, and
others have been but the heads of long list Of
minor satellites, scattered everywhere, who are
straining every nerve to procure the recognition
of the Southern confederacy. On the other
hand, individuals like Edward Everett, Thurlow
Weed, Archbishop Hughes with numerous Epis-
copal and priestly companions, have undertaken
the voluntary mission Of endeavoring to coun-
teract any evil influences that might be pro-
duced by traitors from the South, and of repre-
senting in true light the affairs of the country.
All of these persons, loyal and disloyal, will
seek to influence the press and politicians in
favor Of those sentiments, which they themselves
entertained ; but in doing SO they will, more or
less unconsciously accomplish other results, af
fecting European interests themselves, upon
which they have as little calculated as Franklin
did when he went to France, to negotiate an
alliance with that kingdom and the thirteen
colonies against the mother country.
The fact is our American politicians 90
abroad with very loose and indefinite notions Of
European policy. Their own antecedents are
practically democratic, no matter to what fac
ton they may have belonged here, or from what
section Of the United States they derive. They
cannot talk without planting seeds Of disturb
ance in the public mind, which will very soon
appear, not only on the hustings, but in the
press, and more especially in the debates in
Parliament. Democracy will speedily become
fashionable in certain classes, the more so as
the whole tone of the individuals who have gone
to England, will appear to the masses fresh,
racy and calculated to inaugurate healthier
era in the national policy Of Great Britain. Re-
publican principles once indoctrinated by
Northern and Southern emissaries, nothing can
prevent their taking deep root and ending in
just such revolution as the teachings Of Frank
lin produced among the subjects Of the Bourbons
Until now, English democrats have been mex
perienced, and have had no nucleus around
which to rally, but, from henceforth, this will
not be wanting, and they will learn how to
seize hold OF practical measures for the over
throw Of monarchical and aristocratic institu-
tons