Tbe ispettator, October 23rb. 1852
BUT if war is to fall upon the world, what does it involve ? What are the main things at stake, if Europe should be involved in a general contest ? . . . The first thing that appears to us to be at stake is free- dom. The freedom of Europe is preeminently at stake, especially according to our English understanding of the word. . . . England will not obtain any safety in a troubled future except that which she can secure for herself. The distribution of amity or alliance may affect the facility of that insurance, but the effect of insurance or perdition must depend upon England. If she cannot defend herselt. and all that is precious to her, it might prove the most paying policy to declare herself politically insolvent, at once give up her place among the nations to some more wealthy ruling power, and accept the pro- tectorate which any State may be willing to give her on reasonable terms. There may be commercial men who would jump at this suggestion; we trust there are few statesmen who.cannot look beyond it.
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