lled to review and vindicate his
foreign policy, he assumed the following lofty strain. This was in the
House of Commons, _12th December, 1826_:--

"It would be disingenuous not to admit that the entry of the French army
into Spain was, in a certain sense, a disparagement,--an affront to our
pride,--a blow to the feelings of England. But I deny that, questionable
or censurable as the act may be, it was one that necessarily called for
our direct and hostile opposition. Was nothing then to be done? If
France occupied Spain, was it necessary, in order to avoid the
consequences of that occupation, that we should blockade Cadiz? No. I
looked another way. I sought materials for compensation in another
hemisphere. Contemplating Spain, such as our ancestors had known her, I
resolved that, if France had Spain, it should not be Spain 'with the
Indies.' _I called the New World into existence to resist the balance of
the Old._"[94]

The republics of Spanish America, thus called into independent
existence, were to redress the balance of the Old World. If they have
not contributed the weight thus vaunted, the growing power of the United
States is ample to compensate any deficiencies on this continent. There
is no balance of power which it cannot redress, if occasion requires.

RICHARD COBDEN.--1849.

Coming to our own day, we meet a familiar name, now consecrated by
death,--Richard Cobden; born 3d June, 1804, and died 2d April, 1865. In
proportion as truth prevails among men, his character will shine with
increasing glory until he is recognized as the first Englishman of his
time. Though thoroughly English, he was not insular, and he served
mankind as well as England.

His masterly faculties and his real goodness made him a prophet always.
He saw the future, and strove to hasten its promises. The elevation and
happiness of the human family were his daily thought. He knew how to
build as well as to destroy. Through him disabilities upon trade and
oppressive taxes were overturned; also a new treaty was negotiated with
France, quickening commerce and intercourse. He was never so truly
eminent as when bringing his practical sense and enlarged experience to
commend the cause of Permanent Peace in the world by the establishment
of a refined system of International Justice, and the disarming of the
nations. To this great consummation all his later labors tended. I have
before me a long letter, dated at _London, 7th November, 1849_, w