The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-06-30
HeligoIand.


the Rock OF Quebec, the Islet OF Heligo-
land and many other such coigns OF van
tage, declare the maritime power OF Eng
land. Whoever has seen the ''meteor flag"
flying from the ramparts Of the forts which
guard these rocks and islets, end has watch
! ed the men-of-war which hover il the waters
near by, may form some idea Of English
power, and the Importance which, the Eng
lish Government and people attach to these
keys OF position which are so essential to
England's continued supremacy upon the
sea. OF these positions England is naturally
as Jealous as pugilist would be OF the fng-
ers of his right hand. However triaiDg the
loss OF minor key, such as Heligoland
might be, the precedent would in itself be
intolerable to the British peoples. and the
fact that the loss was an enforced one would
be too CALLING to be borne for an instant.
Especially 80 when England's loss would be
gain OF immense advantage to a power
already invinclble on land, and eager to ac-
quire proportionate power on the sea.
Hence Granville's immediate and stern re.
iusal of Bismarck's offer to purchase He'll
goland No administration would las.
day which countenanced such sale. Had
the sBattle Of Dorking" never been written
the offer would have been rejected with equal
promptness; but it can hardly be doubted
that that article sharpened Granville's pen
when he replied to Bismarck. Nor can
English apprehension Of the sudden and
enormous growth. Of Prussian power be at
all doubtful The ovations which Napoleon
has received OF late wherever he appeared
before the British public, are evidences too
plain to be mistaken Of the tendency OF
British sympathy at this time. Hatred OF
the French has been supplanted by we'll
grounded fear Of the men.in spiked helmets.
The matter Is far from an end. Prussia
needs an outlet by the sea, is strong enough
to demand 1t, and has no hesitation about
her ability to make good the demand by
force of arms II occasion require. II it be
true that Prussia, Russia and Austria have
agreed to keep the peace in Europe, that
peace will be kept on their own terms. Rus
sia wants Turkey, Austriaiwants tranquility,
Prussia wants sea-room, and marine pro-
portionate to her power on land. Where
can England look. for help against these
allies? To Turkey? That is broken reed
To Italy? Victor Emanuel has yet to enter
Rome and to settle with the Pope. To Amer
lea? German sympathy for America in the.
late war was manifested in heavy purchases
of American bonds, which British capitalists
kept aloof from. The fact is not forgotten.
Besides, there is the strongest entente cor
dale between America and Russia.
England must trust to her wooden walls, "
famous in song and story, and to her iron
bulwarks on the deep, whose strength has
never yet been fully tested. Our faith In
English pluck is unabated. Prussia's gigan-
tic force no man can doubt. II war follow
this newly begun negotiation for the
purchase Of. Heligoland, the struggle will
be q terrible one. Humanity must
| deplore the continuance OF wars be-
tween civilized and kindred nations. Amer
lea has nothing to gain from such wars.
The unfeeling idiots in Congress, who ap-
plauded the outbreak of the Franco -Prussian
war, hoped to make money by it. They
were justly and sorely disappointed. The
family Of enlightened nations is now so init
mately bound together that harm to one is
harm to all. Wars are ill winds that blow
nobody any good. Will they never, never
cease?