A writer in the Richmond
Whig expresses his dissent from the views of this journal in regard to the rule of national interests by which we believe
England, as well as every other nation is governed in her policy towards this and every other country.
We think it would be easy to demonstrate that position, but can see no good which would arise from such a discussion.
Our sole object is to show that, acting upon the law of self-preservation, she would be compelled ultimately to side with the
Southern States.
The writer refers to her abolition of slavery in the
West Indies as an example of conduct not prompted by interest.
If he will look at the masterly argument of
Rev. Dr. Styles, before the Buffalo Presbyterian Convention, on the slavery subject, he will see that the abolition of slavery in the
West Indies was urged on this precise ground; that it was argued that the reduction in the prices of articles produced by free labor would more than compensate for the expenditure of emancipation--twenty millions sterling — and that of that debt, to this day, nothing has been paid but the interest.
We may say, however, that the writer in the
Whig cannot go farther in his admiration of English character than this journal.
Corporations and Governments are not supposed to have souls, and we do not believe the
English Government in this respect is worse nor better than any other; but for the
English Constitution we have the most profound respect and admiration.
It is undoubtedly the only country in the world, except our own, in which the true principles of constitutional liberty are understood.
We admire it also because it is a land of law as well as liberty; because in
England all the great interests of life are scoured.
And if there be an aristocracy, it is undoubtedly the best aristocracy, intellectually physically and morally, in the world.
We may add that the explosion of our late Federal experiment has convinced us that the principle that the majority of numbers shall govern, is one incompatible with the welfare of society and the permanence of Government.