The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-30


with every country, spread ourselves over the
whole earth. and invited the people Of all ma
tons TO como among ua But We wanted no
alliance, except that only which was necessary
TO regulate commerce with any Transatlantic
Power. While We pursued this quiet, unobtru-
sive end dignided policy we were conscious OF
our growing might and looked forward to the
time when we should exercise an immense
moral influence over the rest Of mankind. We
had ell the characteristic ambition Of great
republican people. but II was latent with regard
to other continents and other political systems
beyond America, and active only In the affairs
of this continent and in the development Of our
own resources.
When our great civil war broke out II then
appeared that the ruling Powers of Europe had
not beer unmindful Of our growth II was then
evident that the statesmen Of the old monArohi-
cal system had been watching with the deepest
interest, though quietly, the wonderful develop.
ment Of mighty republican empire on this
side the Atlantic They saw It began attract
the attention and admiration Of the liberal
minded of ell countries, and 70 draw
hundreds or thousands Of The vigorous portion
Of their population. annually 10 iii. shores
They saw maritime Power grow up that was
equal u die FIRST in tho world, and promised
soon to be the greatest. II would be contrary
to human nature to sappose the nations, OF
Europe were not jealous, or that they could
help fearing the effect this new and mighty re-
public would produce in the end upon their
old, decaying political and social systems. Had
such Power grown up in Europe there would
have been Holy Alliances OF monarchs again
and again TO have destroyed it. But we were
widely separated, and kept ourselves aloof
from European politics They could not there
fore. exercise direct influence over our des-
tiny The public writer's and abolition ennis
saries and propagandists did, however, exer-
cise some indirect influence. They sowed the
seeds of domestic strife, and fomented that sec
They continually asserted that the republic
was only IN experiment and that republican
institutions could not endure. III fact they
did everything possible to discredit our po-
litical system in the eyes Of the world.
When the war began they believed
the opportunity had come to strike an effective
blow at our power and at republicanism.
There was undoubtedly secret understand
ing, if not secret alliance, between several Of
the European Powers for that purpose. and
probably ali approved of it. We judge that
the new programme of European Intervention
in American affairs was regarded approvingy
by all from the promptness with which they
recognized the mushroom Emperor Of Mexico.
France took the r8le Of king maker or mon
archy creator. England gave belligerent rights
to the rebels, thus driving in the wedge of
separation, as she supposed, and destroying
our commerce. Spain pounced down on the
independent States Of America, which had
formerly been her colonies, on the himsiest
pretext. The whole programme was cheat un-
der false pretences for the purpose Of destroy
ing the great American republic in the day Of
its sorest trial, and to plant permanently
European monarchcai institutions and power
ON this continent.
But all their hopes and plans have failed 10
produce the results expected. The war has
astounded then, and the terminasion of it
has Inundated them. No Power in Europe
could raise such armies as we did, and
can again, at the shortest notice; nor
has any one equal resources and means
to make such navy US wa could create.
These facts have been developed during the
war The world has learned them with sur
prise. The United States is unqusstioDaoly
the first Power Of The world. Our thirty4i7e
millions Of people--eVery man proud, ambi-
tious, and full Of mental and physical vigor-
are equal 20 seventy millions OF the down
trodden, unam5itio,ls working masses OF
Europe. Then, what country has the bound
less and varied resources that we haveY All
Europe could not hurt us materially on our
aggressive war on The seas = Thousand priva.
teers would soon destroy the commerce OF
any enemy. This is not bombast, OF which
we are often accused when speaking of our
country; II Is sober truth. These facts are
known in Europe, too, by intelligent people,
and the masses are fast learning them. Indeed,
the governments are much perplcxed about
them. We have only to maintain our dignity,
conservatism and high national ground, and
our difficulties with foreign nations will and
psaceable solution.
The FrxEDMRN's BuaEAu AND TIN AaxY.--