The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-12-28
From the Philda. Press.]
A Frenchinan's Opinioii of the United
States and her Institutions.

States and her Institutions.
The following is translation of an article
in Paris newspaper, La Presse, for 'Novem-
Der the 18th:
9 Since Its cause has been pied before
Europe, the Southern aligarchy of the United
States has assumed all forms, and held every
Kind OF speech to secure to itself the tribunal
Of public opinion, which will exercise it
understands, decisive influence upon the
issue Of the great conflict which it has aroused
AT first. infexiblc and proud il did not under
stand being questioned, and bearing its fig
alott, it announced to the world that slavery
was holy Institution, which at length, was
about to become the fundamental and
respected basis of whole social system
Gradually, this arrogant pride was lowered ;
Europe did not fall upon its knees before the
sovereignty of King Cotton, and it viewed with
more establishment than anger the alteration
OF an aristocracy which had lived outside of
the movement of its age, and had just pre-
sentcd the sad spectacle of the wandcrings
into which human personality can fall when
1t no longer has for countcrpoisc the fee ling
of justice and the respect for right.
''To-day the defenders of the Southern
oligarchy present entirely new versions Of the
conduct Of their patrons. Slavery is no
longer in question; account, The lOrds Of the
lash in the South have a greater sympathy for
the negro, and care more for his welfare, than
the philanthlopist Of the North, who say 50
much on his behalf, and if the oligarchy IS
dragging the South into policy of separation,
1t is because great pccuniary and moral
interests are found involved in it; to prove
to these kind advocates accumulate arguments
Of facts and statistics which have only one
fault, that Of not being correct.
SC We reserve to ourselves the removal at
our leisure of all the material errors contained
in the defenses presented on behalf of the
Southern oligarchy; but at present we wish to
come to the assistance of its auXiliarcs, and
to make them speak quite loud what they are
thinking quite low.
j." The reason for their zeal is not in the
motives which they present; they know very
we'll, that slavery is an odious institution
which must disappear, and that the South has
only to lose by its separation from the North.
European commerce itself will be completely
stopped as long as the state of actual war
lasts; that is to say, as long as the Union
Shall not he re-estahlshcd bnt there is a
great fact which troubles them, which they
hope to destroy, and against which all their
efforts are brought to bear. They advocate
the separation of the States because they
know that it would be the death of the Rcpub-
lie. and that, in the hour when this Young
Colossus would cease to form WHOLE its
succession would be open, and its magnificent
patrimony would serve for the formation OF
two or more monarchieS.
" The oligarchy Of the South has already
explained itself upon the subject. In 1856
at the time of the Presidential campaign
which ended In the election OF Mr.. Buchanan,
it announced that it would leave the Union if
the Republican candidate, Col. Fremont.
should be chosen Its newspapers, especially
the Charleston Mercury and the Richmond
Enquirer, discussed this eventuality, and
arrived at the conclusion that in case Colonel
Fremont should be elected, the Cotton States
ought to constitute themselves monarchy.
and to offer the crown to the Duke of Cam
bridge. This idea, abandoned ny the ogar-
chy after Mr.. Buchanan's election, has been
taken up again BY the same parties in 1861 -
Mr.. Russell being in Charleston in the moiih
of May last, then wrote to the Times: 81 have
visited a great number of planters. ] have
everywhere met with the same desire, that OF
having prince of the royal family Of England
to govern them
"This wish of contain planters of South
Carolina, too much generalized by Mr.. Rus
sell, and which the real people of South Caro-
lima, the lille mhiies (lespetifo biancs0 or The
rhite trash, as they call them, would not ratify
has aroused in the Northern States legitimate
suspicious which the rumors arriving from
q
very important political parsonage, alluded to
these rumors when, in a speech delivered at
Louisville in the month Of May last, he thus
expressed himself:
"' Mr.. Fould. that great French statesman,
conversing some weeks ago with an American
citizen, said to him, your Republic is dead
and it is probably the last which the world
will see. You are about to have a reign OF
terror, and then two or three monarc s."
I've do not know whether Mr.. Fould
expressed the opinion which is ascribed to
him, but very evidently it is that of those
who make themselves the champions of the
dissolying and selfish policy of the Southern
oligarchy Thus, the North had understood
the danger which threatens its institutions !;
it looks with mistrust at every act Of inter
vention on the part Of Europe in the affairs
of the new continent, and, also, remember
ing the truth Of the adage. If you wish for
peace. prepare for war it has warmly
| applauded the recommendations which Mr..
Seward has addressed to the Governors of
the States washed by the sea and the lakes,
to fority their ports and to put them in a
state of good defence.
| No offence to its enemies, the great
republic of the United States will not vet
perish. People vii! think twice, we hope,
before attacking it. We are no longer in the
time when the partition of Poland was
accomplished. Ollgarchles may agitate a
country for a moment-they can no longer
sell it OF destroy it irrcparably. At present
| peoples belong to themselves; men govern,
them only on condition of listening to the
interests, and laboring for them, that is to
say, on condition of carrying ont the princi-
pies of democracy. A war with America,
whatever might be the preteXt for it, would
be disastrous to all those who should take
part in it. During long time it would be
the entire destruction Of all international
commerce with that country, and America
would find even in the reverses which would
probably accompany her first conflicts a
new stimulus, which would make her ener-
getically seek for and make fertile the
immence resources which she possesses
BY compelling her to know herself better
and to use her strength better they would
a.grandize America instead of weakening
| her.