Europe, or at least a very influential portion thereof, thinks that the
'balance of power' system will yet be inaugurated among the family of
nations yet to spring up on this continent. Her people think balance of
power, and the London _Times_ and like organs of the existing polity
write balance of power for our edification, and for the future of
America. They cannot conceive that there is any other way to get along
for any considerable length of time. In like manner is it
concluded--keeping up the old trains of thought--that if nations once
fell into fragments when shaken, they will do just so again.
Now, perhaps we have contracted habits of thought from the character of
our country and her institutions, and are deceiving ourselves with hopes
which have no real foundation. These, we believe, are considerations
which have engaged the attention of every reflecting man; and it
behooves us, as intelligent Americans and members of a young nation of
hitherto unexampled prosperity and promise, to be able to give a reason
for the faith that is in us.
There are changes and crises in the course and destiny of political
systems. The conditions of one period of time are different from the
conditions of another period. Different conditions necessitate different
political systems. Feudalism did not last always; European diplomacy is
only three hundred years old.
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