New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-10
C4RpFNTERS FOREIGN POLICY

Senator Matt. II. Carpenter of Wisconsin
made an address at Beloit College last month,
on occasion of the dedication of a Memorial
| Hall in honor of fallen heroes of the war, and
explained in the course of it the programme
of a party among our political men whose
opinions, whether we agree with them or not,
demand our most careful consideration. SEN
ator Carpenter reminds us of the early Puri-
tans who governed the State with the aid of
the catechism, and constructed political plat
forms upon strict theological principles. The
choice of a party is for him a matter of
prayer and devout meditation. The COnstitu-
ton of the United States is to be read by the
light of the Bible, and the Fourth of July is
not only national holiday but sacred festi-
val To the sentiments of such earnest poll
ticians it is fitting that we should listen with
respect these men are not very numerous,
but they are very strong, and sooner or
later they exert powerful influence. Ameri-
can liberty, according to Mr.. Carpenter, is a
part of Gods scheme for the social regenera-
ton of the world. Out of the darkness and
oppression of Eastern despotism he gradually
evoked the dawn of liberty, which moved ever
Eastward until in the British islands, on the
very verge of the civilized world, it broke into
the fixed light which is destined to irradiate
the whole earth. The new continent of
America received the gift, and here it was fos-
tered, by the almost miraculous assistance of
heaven until it resulted in the perfect doctrine
of the full equality and freedom of man. We
have reached this goal through long suffering
and trial and war, and now it is our duty to
spread throughout the nations the same elevated
o;,lo fIa mice Of 10
comes, according to this view, divine inspira-
ton, and Republican statesmen are elevated to
the romantic dignity of crusaders. Hence, also,
a certain degree of interference in the affairs of
Europe becomes not only our privilege but our
sacred duty.
Mr.. Carpenter is far from desiring that we
shall declare general war against kings and en-
perors, especially if steady menace of war can
be made to serve our purpose as well as actual
hostilites; but we are bound to exercise our
influence wherever we can in support of popu-
lar institutions. England, for instance, is now
in the agony of great struggle between the
people and the aristocracy. Our relations with
that Government enable us either to aid or
embarrass the Liberal party. We have
heavy pecunaTy claim against England
for damages inflicted by the Alabama; we
have cause of grave complaint, even of war,
for the unparalleled "insolence" of Great
Britain in the Mason and Slidell affair; we
have a just grievance in the conduct Of the
Ministry toward the Southern Rebels, whereby
the war was indefinitely prolonged, and our
commerce and treasury suffered loss not to
Be computed in dollars. For all these injuries
and all this insolence we have a right to hold
England responsible. Our true course is to
keep the exercise of this right in reserve until
it can be put forth in such manner as to
most efectually serve the English Liberals
that is, the English people-who were always