The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-05

France, England and Spain conspired against
the United States when this country was in the
throes of civil war. Our national existence as
one Power was seriously imperilled, republican
institutions were UNDERGOING the severest trial,
and that grand destiny which we believed Pro-
whence had promised to us seemed as if it were
about to be cut short In this, the darkest hour
Of our history, the three Powers named COM
bined to give us an unfriendly kick in the dark,
with view Of completing our ruin and cutting
short our glorious career. The successful
example Of republican institutions on this con-
tinent was standing reproach to monarchy,
aristocracy, oligarchy and class government in
the Old World. The oppressed people there
began to cast their eyes across the Atlantic and
compare this free government and great and
happy land with their own countries. The
comparison could have no other effect than
to make them dissatisfied and to long for
change in their own institutions and condition.
Their rulers had the sagacity to see this, and
feared the consequences to themselves. These
monarchs and privileged classes, doubtless,
would have taken steps before to have clipped
the wings of the soaring eagle of republican
America had they dared to do so, or would
have found pretext, but they were not able.
When, however, we were plunged in civil war,
they believed their opportunity had come, and
they were not slow to take advan-
tage of It. We do not know yet,
and may never know, what were the
terms of this secret alliance or understanding
among the European Powers, or how many of
them entered into il. Some, it is probable, as
Russia and some of the smaller States, who had
nothing to fear from the growth of the republic
and who had always been friendly to us, were
not parties to the hostile combination. But we
know, from the acts of England, France and
Spain, that they proceeded in accord with each
other in the general policy laid down or under
stood. England hastily recognized the rebels
as belligerents, giving an example for other
Powers to follow, and cheerfully consented TO
the spoliation and destruction of our sister
American republics thus aiming blow at re-
publican government over the entire continent.
France, or rather the Emperor Napoleon-for
we make a distinction between him and the
French people-undertook to blot out the re-
public of Mexico and to erect monarchy on
its ruins. Spain combined with him at first in
this great national outrage, and finally took
upon herself a separate r3le in attacking the
other republics of America. These were the
parts which each Of the three Powers to this
most unholy alliance, conspiracy or combine
ton took, and in which two at least have not
yet ceased acting. True, they disagreed about
the spoils soon after they commenced to carry
out the programme, one trying to 0verreach
the other, but each continued to be moved by
the same spirit of hostility to the United States
and to republican institutions on the American
continent.
Now they are suffering the fate of all who
follow blind ambition and ignore the principles
Of right and justice. Influenced by their own
passions and selfish policy, regardless of the
well-being Of the masses of mankind, these
monarchical and aristocratic rulers, listened TO
false prophets and believed lie. They, were
told that the great republic was broken up,
never to be restored, and they believed it But
it was not written 80 in the book of fate, which
was closed to their eyes. The republic is pre-
served, and is stronger and mighticr than ever.
The ripple which few agitating fanatics make
in our domestic political affairs will be Gained
down soon, and we shall become more firmly
united than heretofore Our destiny, so far
from being circumscribed or arrested by the
events of the last few years, is enlarged. We
have doomed up to be the first Power ofthe world.
On the other hand those who combined against
us are full of trouble. The thorn is in their
side. Retribution has followed them.
England is sorcly disturbed both in the United
Kingdom and in her colonies by Fenianism.
A rebel appartion haunts her slumbers now.
A widespread organization which was sneered
at few months ago turns out not to be so con-
temptble, and no one can tell how serious it
may become. There are, too, other latent
causes of trouble both in Canada and Austria
liz. The financial condition of the kingdom
also is evidently in a very deranged condition.
Then there is the difficulty with this country
about the Anglo-rebel claims hanging over her.
With regard to France, the very measures the
Emperor Napoleon took to check the United
States and to increase his own power in
America have proved his greatest trouble.
The fruit has turned to ashes in bis mouth. He
Mexico, and that his experiment Of erecting
an empire and making an emperor is
q failure. He does not know how to get out of
the dilemma without disgrace. The loss of
his prestige for sagacity and craftsmanship
might materially weaken his hold upon the
French people and his power in Europe, to say
nothing of the cost of his effort to manufacture
Imperialism. All this may strengthen greatly
tho opposition, which begins to show vitality,
and, amid the revolutionary elements that are
fermenting in Europe, might endanger his dy-
nasty. The retributive hand Of Justice is raised
over his head, and makes him feel very uneasy