The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-05-14
CHI A r L EST ON.
FRIDAY MORNING, MAY IA, 1863.
The Triple Alliance.

The Triple Alliance.
A London dispatch to the New York Tri-
bune says that initiatory steps have been
taken for an alliance, both offensive and
defensive, between England, France and
Spain, against the United States; this meas
ure being taken in view of the rejection of
the Alabama treaty, the tone of Summers
speech, the filibustering tendencies Of
Grants administration, and the reported
connivanoe Of the United States authorities
with the expeditions against Cuba. This
dispatch is entitled to consideration, be-
cause IL is sent to q journal which has never
made practice of cooking up highly-spiced
foreign news for the sake Of an ephemeral
notoriety. The foreign correspondence of
the Tribune is both able and trustworthy,
and it may be taken for granted that it is
believed in the London office Of that paper
that the new triple alliance is in process Of
formation.
But there is q broader and more emphatic
reason why such an alliance may be looked
for. If there is any virtue in senatorial
speaking, in newspaper writing, and in the
popular sentiment which is moulded by the
press, England will, sooner or later, be
forced into war with the United States.
This must be as plain at the Court Of St.
James as it is under the shadow of the
dusky Goddess Of Liberty who broods over
the Federal capital. And it is equally evil
dent that it ia the desire of the United Stataa
tomake war on England alone. France has,
in every instance, escaped the opprobrium
which has been heaped upon "perfdious
''Albion." Her Majesty's Government re-
cognized the Southern Confederacy as q
belligerent power. Napoleon proposed to
recognize the independence Of the Confede-
rate States. Earl RUSSELL weak and ir-
reaolute politioian-allowed the golden op-
portunity to pass, and France was not
strong enough to act alone. Yet there are
sweet words and honied phrases for the
Tuileries, while Summers defamation and
Chandlers abuse are all that is vouohsafed
Great Britain. IL
1t is, then, manifestly to the interest Of
the English Government to form an alliance
which will make her SO strong that q war
with her would be hopeless and ruinous.
There is enough conoeit in the universal
Yankee nation to goad on the Sphinx like
Grant to war at any price. But with
France at her back, England has nothing to
fear, and Spain, which is cheated and bam-
boozled at every turn by the Grant admin
istration, would find In coalition with
England and France full security for Cuba.
and an armor Of proof to defend her from the
i'll concealed enmity of the United States.
Glancing over the field, then, it is safe to
say that triple alliance, such as chat spo-
ken OF In the Tribune dispatch, would be,
for England and Spain, master stroke or
policy. while it would not in any way inter-
fere with the purposes of France. This
being the case, it is fair to assume that
there is some foundation for the STARTLING
rumor which in New York is generally
"disbelieved." I. s ,HI
In the meanwhile, every asoutherner
should watch the political horizon with q
calm and steady eye. We know not what
might be the fanal result Of war between
- "SS0AAAkAOaA VI inc O0lee0 StAto9 and
the three powers; but it is tie part
OF wisdom to keep our house in order
and be ready to meet every issue that
may arise Our people now should be ohary
OF contracting debts and Of increasing their
outstanding engagements. The first seri-
GUS talk Of Q war would drive gold out Of
sigh, and in the courseof the war the his-
tory Of the Confederate currency would bs,
repeated. We must live quietly, and, as
fai as possible, within ourselves Especial
attention should continue to be given to
raising breadstuffs. No opportunity should
% neglected Of increasing our manufactu-
ring capacity. Our aim should be to make
the South as far as possible indep endent,
80 that If the war cloud does burst over this
country, We may rbe in position to ride
cut the storm with but little loss, and be
able to take every proper advantage Of the
chances and contingencies Of the future.