The New York herald., 1844-12-12


Our Foreign Relations.
The intelligence of the present critical position
Of our relations with Mexico, as disclosed by the
correspondence Of the two governments, has fallen
upon the community with an apparent CAIN and
insensbiity, that by no means represent the exact
condition of the public mind. The Journalso Of both
parties have very generally published the whole
OF the correspondence, commencing with that
which was first published in the Herald; but they
seem TO avoid the subJect-to be alarmed at the
prospect, and to shrink from the very discussion
Of the portending position which the two countries
at present occupy, with respect to each other, at
this moment. The mysterious calmness Of the
public mind, we are persuaded, only resembles the
pause in the hurrIcane-a preface 20 a more furious
and widespread onse. of the elementary war than
we nave yet witnessed.
Tie same significant calmness which we find in
he puol.c mind, and in the newspaper press,
marks also tine course of affairs at Washington.
Statesmen and dpoliticians-merchants and editors
all classes, seem 10 be awaiting with breathless
anxiety the next arrival from Mexico in order 10
ascertain in what position the country may be
placed during the next few months or the next
quarter of a century. We have, indeed, reached
crisis in foreign relations, not only with the
republics OF this continent but with the cid govern
ments of Europe; for this question Of annexation
will yet bring into more immediate and COM
mlDgng oolfct with The policy OF the old monar-
chlcti governments Of Enrope, than any other
event which has taken place IN our pas history.
50 tir as public opinion has been developed on
the character of the recent diplomatic correspond
ence, there srpe. to be disposition in the or
gtus and leaders ot both the great parties 10 find
cause Of complaint in the diplomacy Of Nj, Col
houn and the American Minister at Mexico, In
cludiog-Mr Tyler himself small portion OF the
press and the people attached the fortunes of the
present administration, only indicate approval OF
these recent diplomatic dolngs, which are more i'm.
portant than any recolect have seen or he ard
of for many years past. Objections are made to
Mr.. Calh0un's conduct-to his letters-to his ar
guments-to his prnciples-and to the whole char
acter of his diplomacy. The same objections are
urged with greater violence and greater disregard
Of reason against Mr.. Snannon's correspondence
with the Mexican minister; and all these indica-
tions seem 10 show that most violent and bitter
opposnon is preparing in the commercial cities OF
the Atlantic coast, stimulated partly by CONNER
ca reasons, to the fu prosecution of the diplo
matte policy which has been now partially dis
closed. We are in the commencement of a more
violent internal contest than any we have yet seen
in this land, involving our foreign relations, and
far outstrpping in its intensity and bitterness any
thing that has ever been brought about by dis
cussion Of any mere potico-econom question,
such as the tariff. bank, as any thing else. One
thing strikes US as being certain TO grow out Of
this extraordinary position oil things, and the
peculiar position OF the diplomacy Of the pre-
sent Secretary of State. The British government
and the British press will not omit selzng the pre-
sent opportunity to declare a moral war-a bitter
moral war against the conduct Of this countr, and
the policy OF its government, on account Of the
and arguments set forth by Mr.. Calhoun,i in
vndication Of the annexation of Texas II this
war OF opinion were the only result likely to be
produced, it were Of comparatively little moment;
but there is every probability that this question
will ev ntuate In something more important than
mere moral war-a discussion Of abstract principles
At all events, the United States government is
now placed in such position, as regards the
annexation question, ard our relations with
Mexico, and with European nations generally,
that will demand the support and countenance Of
the whole American people. Mr. Calhoun's diplo-
matte policy, and also that Of Mr.. Shannon might
have been more courteous, or, rather, more hypo-
critical, than they have been, but these gentlemen
have discarded all the usual plausibilities Of d.
plomacy. and have spoken their minds manfuly
and fearlessly on the whole questions at issue. 1t
remains for the people Of this country, after de-
liberately weighing the matter and the position in
which these dipomatisis have placed our relations
TO decide whether they will, in this great business
act on the principle on which their insti-
tutions and prosperity are founded, that is
whether they will Ego ahead" or whether
they will recede and take the contempt and
disgrace OF the whole civilized world This
subject just opening, and we only in the com.
meocement Of an im 'ortant crisis in our history.
II is well, then, TO be cautious, and carefully TO
consider every progressive step.
TaK EXCITEMENT IN SoUm CAROLINA We
have published several pieces oiintcligence show
ing the position Of the excitement in South Caro-
hna, relative to an agency sent out there from the
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