The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-05-19
A Combination Against America.


+ to form an alliance offensive and defensive
between England, France and Spain agains
the United States. The report caused muci
excitement in New York, although gener
ally discredited. Should the report he true
it is matter of the greatest Importance
If it is not true now, it may become so at nc
distant day, and the government will do vel
to settle upon some foreign policy from
which it will not depart, that it may be pre-
pared to meet any crisis, promptly and
vigorously. That such a report even il
false, should be deemed sufficiently proba-
BILE to excite such deep interest is suffi
Gent proof of the possibility of such an al
lance being formed against the United
States England and France have watched
the rapid increase of the power of America
with Jealous eye, and will do all in their
power to prevent her from extending her
territory. They are unwilling to see Ameri-
can principles and rule govern more people,
They feel that the wider spread the inf1u-
ence of the great republic, the more is the
safety of monarchical institutions threatened
The struggle in Europe is now to preserve
the rule of the aristocrat and to keep down
the people Every account from England
and France shows that the people are ar
rayed against their governments, and that,
sooner or later, the people must triumph.
In England and France especially is this
true The whole existence of the present
government OF France is struggle for life
"a struggle to keep down the people. The
same is the case in England. Spain is in
revolutionary condition of which the issue
! is doubtful. With no government, knavish
leaders, and bigoted statesmen, her future
depends upon chance. 1t may be good-it
may be bad-cither will be the result of
some political accident. These are the ma
tions that are to enter into an alliance against
the United States! Of the military and
naval resources of the four nations it is use
less to speak in detail. England and France
possess larger navies and more powerful
standing armies than does the United States,
but America has power of creation that
far more than counterbalances these present
advantages. When the war ended there
were two millions of trained soldiers in
America. The soldiers are now citizens, but
the moment the alarm of war shall have
sounded, they are again soldiers, and SOL
diers unequalled by those of any other ma
ton. We have seen the soldiers of four diff
ferent nations In battle, and except in the
cavalry arm, the American soldier is superior
to any other in physique, dash, steadiness
which carries him unhinching throughout
long and holly contested battles. OF the
truth of this, no stronger proofs needed than
the ferceness and duration of the six days
fight" which was one continuous battle
No foreign army could retain a foothold
upon American soil Tor one week. The war
in that America has no cause for fear. There
is one thing which must be considered in
this connection-the attitude of Russia and
and Prussia, the two most powerful nations
of Europe. The understanding between
Russia and the United States is most per-
feet, and this was plainly showed during the
war. Russia has immense plans for her ag-
grandizement. and America is almost the
only nation whose interests can never clash
against Russia's. The feeling between Russia
and England is the reverse of friendly, for
Russia is making advances that bid fair to
wrest from England her cherished East India
possessions Between Prussia and America
exist the most friendly feelings, and the
bend that is produced by similarity of
principles and q mutual progress in riv;l and
religious liberty. America and Prussia can
never become foes, for they have no conflict
ing interests. The policy of Bismarck has
eEinced his ardent desire for the existence
of the most friendly relations between Prus-
STA and America, and his wishes have been
reciprocated by our government. On the
other hand, Prussia and France are deadly
foes, and each hut awaits one act of aggres
sion to commence hostilities. Russia has
always desired an alliance with Ameri-
ca, and Bismarck has expressed the
same desire in recent speech. Thus then
England and France will be opposed by
nations more powerful than themselves.
besides having to contend against America
who, in naval war, is fair match for both
ofthem. Spain amounts to nothing in any
point of view. A nation that cannot control
itself cannot inflict much injury upon any
other nation. Thus it will be seen that in
case an alliance between England, France
and Spain is formed against America, we
have hut little to fear Still we hope no
war will occur, as it would greatly retard us
in our great work of developing the resources
and adding to the prosperity of our
country. We do not think that the report
will prove true, and believe botli England
and France to have enough to do to take
care OF themselves without wishing to have
an American war; Yet We hope that while
using every means, consistent with the honor
of the nation, to avoid war, the government
will be in readiness to act vigorously if
war is forced upon us.