The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-30
The Effect OF an "EnIightened'' Foreign
Policy.

IN certain quarters at the annOuucenenI vi
the alleged intention Of the Government to
change its foreign policy, and demand imme-
diate reparation from England, and the in
Simultaneous evacuation of Mexico by France.
We are told that foreign war would do us
good that there is nothing 50 potent in healing
family broils as an attack from mutual foe;
and that all the difficulties of our internal
position would be at once removed did we
declare war against Great Britain. The
conservative party, headed by the New York
Herald, rejoice greatly over what they sup
pose is an indication of the intention of the
Executive TO insist on certain claims which,
in lall probability, will produce a conflict
between ourselves and some foreign nation
We cannot gain by pressing these cllim5 nor
do we believe that the President has any inten-
ton of such course. We cannot bring our
selves to have so poor an opinion of his patriot
ism as to suppose that, in order to free himself
from the consequences OF domestic blundars,
he would endanger our nation, nor, IN order to
turn popular attention away from his recon-
struction failure, that he would expose us to
war with powerful country. Although
gress, yet should Mr. johnson insist
on our claims, the pride OF our people would
compel us TO sustain him, even though we
knew that by such demands we were riskng
success and yielding up peace. Hence it is
within his power to cause foreign war by
premature claims on Great Britain. This
line of conduct he has been frequently
advised to adopt by certain followers
If there is one act more criminal than
another in all the msdeeds of which
our Executive is capable, the adoption
by MIR. johnson OF the course laid down for
him would be the most vile. For personal
or political ends to invoke the evils of war. and
TO hazard our national honor, incur another
enormous debt, and sacrifice tens OF thousands
OF lives, is crime worthy only of Nero.
No, we do not believe that the President
dreams OF precipitating a war between our
land and powerful and willy foe.
Let those who are thus talking think for a
moment of the effect. Supposing that vic
tory was certain, and that all the lives which
were lost were of no account, let us
see the certain effect. Our bonds
would sink to the level of those of the
small German potentates. Those already
issued would lose the too credulous holders
half their Investment, while the new loan to
he incurred, if negotiated at all, would in
volve condition Of taxation which is fear
full to contemplate. For all this, we would
get IN return, what? A prestige for the Ad-
ministration and national glory. National
glory is an excellent thing, but the cost of it |
in the past has been so remarkably dear, that
when we have trif1ing debt OF two thousand |
five hundred millions of dollars involved, we
do not think that we can agord it. The |
result on our people is well expressed by Rev |
Sidney SMITH
'We can inform Jonathan what are the inevi-
table consequences OF being too fond OF glory:-
TaXes upon every article which enters into the |
mouth, or covers the back, or is placed under
the loot; taxes upon everything which IL is
pleasant to see hear, feel, smell, or taste; taxes
upon warmth, light, and locomotion; taxes on
everything on earth and the waters under the
earth; on everything that comes from abroad
or Is grown at home; taxes on the raw mate |
rial; taxes on every fresh value that Is added |
to it by the industry OF man; taxes on the |
sauce which pampers mans appetite, and the |
drug that restores him to health; on the
ermne which decorates the judge, and the
rope which hangs the criminal; on the poor
mans salt, and the rich mans spice; on the
bride. At bed or board, couchant or levant,
we must pay The school-boy whips his taxed
topi the beardless youth manages his taxed |
horse, with a taxed bride, on a taxed road;
and the dying Englishman, pouring his med-
cine, which has paid per cent, into a spoon
that has paid 10 per cent, filings himself Oack
upon ms chintz bed, which has paid % per
cent, ana expires in the arms of an apothe-
cary VINO mas paid a license of O hundred
POUNDS Ior the privilege OF putting him to
eeatn. hls wno'e property is then imme1iately |
taxed from to 10 per cent. Besides the nro
bate, large fees are demanded for h1rving him
in the chancel; his virtues are handed do wn to |
pOsterity on taxed MAJ bic: and he iS ~ W
gathered 10 his fathers-to be taxed no MOO s' ~
We have not quite Teacned that mass vot
but the adoption of an enIighter.vd foreign
policy would undoubtedly lead to that r>-nIt
Already we are feeling the effects of h |
vast revenue system. The same author, forty
six years ago, prophesied the effect, and we
are suffering from it to-day. He said:-
''In addition to all this, the habit of dealing
with large sums will make the Government
avaric0us and profuse; and the system itself
will infallibly generate the base vermin OF spies
aud informers, and a still more pestilent race
of political tools and retainers of the meanest
and most OdiOus description; while the prodi-
giOus patronage which the collecting OF this
splendid revenue will throw into the hands of
the Government, will invest 1t with so vast an
influence, and hold out such means aud temp
tauons TO corruption, as all the virtue and pub
lie spirit, even OF republicans, Will be unable TO
resist.n
The dire effects predicted are already felt,
but in a less degree than would follow the
change prophesied. Let those who favor the
proposed alteration in our treatment of foreign