The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-02-07
THE YANKEES AND FOREIGN MA
TIQNS.

There can be little doubt but that the deveope-
ments of military power and military endurance
upon this continent have astonshed not only the
people of Europe but the people of America them.
selves The United States Navy has also sWelled
into formidable proportions whilst its armament
is of the most fearfully effective character. A
terrible naval and military power has arisen
/ But while this is so, and while it has taught
European powers caution in interfering In Ameri-
can auarrels it is evident that the very efforts re-
ouired to evoke this power have had the effect of
deriving its possessors of the chance OF using it
Immediately to advantage. Crippled finances, de-
cniDg trade, fighting population exhausted or un-
willing, all the burden of four years war hang
over the Lincoln government, and would paralyze
their hands in any fight with fresh and unex-
hausted power like England or France, and still
more so with both combined. 1t is thus that with
all their assumed bravado, and real power, the
Yankee government may we'll shrink frons"rlsklpg
collision with, any of the maritime European
powers which would sweep the last vestlge OF their
commerce from the ocean, which would embarrass
their recruiting by cutting off the foreign em'gra-
ton which has supplied so much food for powder,
and which would finally render public bankruptcy
an inevitable occurrence.
For these reasons, most probably, the intimatlon
of foreign intervention might, at this time, be all
powerful with the Lincoln government. Even the
fear of foreign collision might induce the Lincoln
government to attempt to patch up some sort OF
accommodation with the South Without some
such impelng motive for action, Lincoln will
make no advances upon which the least value can
be placed.
Such threatening manifestations from abroad are
not wanting. The u. S. Senate has fatty refused
to recognize Maximian Emperor OF Mexico,
and thus thrown the gauntlet down to France, or
at least to Louis Napoleon, who is France The
reciprocity treaty with Canada has been abrogated
and notice has been given to Great Britain of the
intended abrogation of that provision of the boun-
Diary treaty which limits the number of armed yes
sells and guns maintained by either power upon the
lakes, and the Spring will see these great inland
oceans swarming with war vessels of both powers.
The plot thickens. 1t has not thickened to please
u.s. so that we need experience no sense of respon-
sbity. But if the jealousiss or quarrels CT others
tend to hasten our deverance from the horrors of
war, why, so much the better for US. France did
not acknowledge the United States out Of any alb
stract love for the struggling Colonies but on the
contrary, out of feelings Of hostility to England
and from desire to accomplish the dismember-
ment of the British Empire. So it may turn out
in this case. God send it. Talk as we will, 'the
resolution commenced in rs was pretty hard
pressed when French assistance came, and men
Responded much more than they do now. Wash
ington and bis compeers hailed foreign help. Is
it any disgrace for US to wish for it p Hilming
ton Journal.