the _disunited States_
(for thus they style them) an agreeable subject for pleasantry,
forgetting that this disunion has a serious cause, which is certainly of
importance enough to make itself understood; forgetting, too, that
generous struggles for humanity and the country are worthy to obtain our
fullest respect. And let us beware how we say that this crisis does not
concern us--that we can do nothing in it. The selfish isolation of
nations is henceforth impossible. The question to be decided here
involves our own affairs, not only because a portion of our fortune is
pledged to the United States, but, above all, because our principles and
our liberties are concerned. The victories of justice, wherever they may
be won, are the victories of the human race.

We can aid this one in some measure. America, which affects sometimes to
declare itself indifferent to our opinions, gathers them up, however,
with jealous care. I have seen respectable Americans blush at
encountering that instinctive blame which, among us, is addressed to the
progress of slavery; they suffered at seeing their country thus fallen
from the esteem which it formerly enjoyed. Proud nations like America
always avenge themselves by noble impulses for the reprobation which
they are conscious of having deserved. The moral intervention of Europe
is not, therefore, superfluous; it is the less so, in that the South
insults us by counting on us. The ringleaders of Charleston and New
Orleans affect to say that England is ready to open her arms to them,
and that France promises a sympathizing reception to her envoys! These
envoys themselves have been selected with care, honorable, having
friends among us,--capable, in a word, of presenting the cause of
slavery in an almost seductive light. It is important, therefore, that
we should not keep silence.

Let governments be reserved; let them avoid every thing that would
resemble direct action in the internal affairs of the United States, let
them have recourse to the commonplaces of speech employed by diplomacy
to escape pledging their policy--this is well. But to imagine that these
commonplaces promise alliance or protection, is to be credulous indeed!
A rebellion under cover of the flag of slavery, be sure, will find it
difficult to make partisans among us French, whatever may be our
indolent indifference in other respects in this matter, an indifference
so great that at the present time the American question _does