LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
LORD PALMERSTON'S FORESIGHT.
LTO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR." _I &H,-It is now exactly twenty years since the letter, of which the enclosed is a copy, was written by Lord Palmerston to Lord
John Russell. It is so interesting that I think the public will
appreciate its republication.—I am, Sir, Ice., E. B.
"September 13th, 1865.
MY Data RussaLL,—It was dishonest and unjust to deprive Den- mark of Sleswick and Holstein. It is another question how those two Duchies, when separated from Denmark, can be disposed of best for tho interest of Europe. I should say, that with that view, it is better that they should go to increase the power of Prussia than that they should form another little State to be added to the cluster of small bodies politic which encumber Germany, and render it of less force than it ought to be in the general balance of power in the world. Prussia is too weak as she now is ever to be honest or in- dependent in her action ; and, with a view to the future, it is de- sirable that Germany, in the aggregate, should be strong, in order to control those two ambitious and aggressive Powers, France and Russia, that press upon her West and East. As to France, we know how restless and aggressive she is, and how ready to break loose for Belgium, for the Rhine, for anything she would be likely to get without too great an exertion. As to Russia, she will in due time become a Power almost as great as the old Roman Empire. She can become mistress of all Asia, except British India, whenever she chooses to take it ; and when enlightened arrangements shall have made her revenue proportioned to her territory, and railways shall have abridged dis- tances, her command of men will become enormous, her pecuniary means gigantic, and her power of transporting armies over great distances most formidable. Germany ought to be strong in order to resist Russian aggression ; and a strong Prussia is essential to German strength. Therefore, though I heartily condemn the whole of the proceedings of Austria and Prussia about the Duchies, I own that I should rather see them incorporated with Prussia than converted into an additional asteroid in the system of Europa—Yours sincerely,
PALMERSTON."
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