Year: 1862

The Policy OF Engla nd and France To-
wards the United states.


Although the affair Of the steamer Trent has
been settled by the release Of Mason and Sli-
DELL it has clearly revealed to us the deep
seated hostility Of the British government to
the United States. We never doubted that the
design of England has always been to endea-
vor to humilate this country and to divide and
weaken our power. The gigantic rebellion we
now have on our hands has afforded the British
government the opportunity they have been so
long seeking, and they therefore take every
opportunity to aid the South and to oppose
the North. BY acting in this manner they still
hope to divide this country into two rcpub-
lies. These facts have been more clearly
demonstrated since the seizure OF the rebel
Commissioners. as any one may see who refers
to the views of Earls SALISBURY and Russell
and many others of the leading men in England
Viewing the matter in this light. the act OF
Commodore Wilkes has been productive of
great benefit: for it has completely unmaskcd
the hypocrtical pretensions Of a hostile Power.
and has shown us more plainly than ever the
real policy of England towards the United
States.


We should also look well to the position
which France occupies in relation to the United
States. Although the Emperor of the French
has long been protesting good deal of sym
pathy for the Union cause. and kind
of friendship for the North, il is evident
tha, he also is guided altogether by selfish mo-
tyes. Napoleon is engaged in one of the most
comprehensive schemes ever conceived for the
purpose of carrying out ideas from which he
will never deviate. While il il the policy of
the English oligarchy to do every thing in their
power to break up this government. it is the
interest of Napoleon to pretend to be of the
same view, so as to embrol them in war with
the United States. He could and would then
withdraw, as soon as he found them thoroughly
compromised, without any hope OF escape. He
has already succeeded in entangling Spain in
war with Mexico, putting her forward as the
real foe of the Mexican republic. and taking
but little part in the quarrel himself. All his
efforts now will be used for bringing England
into collision with the United States; and, as
Spain and England are the only two maritime
Powers in Europe that could oppose his pre-
tensions, he would thus he able to carry his
victorious arms to the borders OF the Rhine.
dispose of the vexed Roman question, and set
tie all his other plans in Europe, without let or
hindrance of any kind.


Spain is already thoroughly involved in her
war with Mexico. Her forces are now in posses
sion of Mexican citadel and her ships are at an
chor in front of Vera Cruz. In the meantime the
Mexicans have fed to their impregnable noun
tains, where they are mastering in thousands TO
rain down their thunders on the invaders. The
rooted hatred Of the Mexcans to their ancient
Spanish masters is stubborn fact, and Spain
will soon find that she has begun a war from
which she cannot escape with honor in less than
ten years. At least she will find her hands fully
occupied for long time to come, and she can
only come out of the contest considerably shorn
of her returning strength.


Thus far the policy of France has been car
red out in regard to Spain. The next step in
the programme is war with England and the
United States This Is the evident tendency of
French European policy at present, and II there
fore becomes our duty TO watch closely the
movements ofboth England and France in their