The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-02-15


ing Sleighing on the Avenue-the Row between
Black and Giddings-the Interior of the Herald
Counting Room-and graphic sketch of West
ern Lecturer. Price only 81 cents.
-
Our Foreign Relations-rexas and Ore gon.
The accounts which we received the other day
from France, embracing some of the views of the
French newspaper press on the subject of the An
nexation of Texas, only give a toretaste of the
new state OF things which is very rapidly taking
place in Europe, in relation to the position of the
United States and in connexion with the foreign
policy Of their government. What we have alrea-
dy given from the French press may be considered
fair emanation of the national mind of the French
people, on the subject of Texas. No doubt the po-
licy of the English government is to make that a
European question, thereby to bring out the whole
naval forces of the governments of Europe against
the action of the United States, but on the very
first lntimation of such purpose from the English
PRESS we see spirit springing up in France and de-
veopipg itself in the French PRESS hostile to any
such position, and favorable to the independence
of views and action of the United States
This first manifestation of public opinion in
France on the Texas question will no doubt be fol-
lowed up by general impulse of the national
mind. 1t shows conclusivey that the despatch of
Mr.. Calhoun to Mr. King, which, long before this
has found its way through the press to the great
masses of the French people-has laid the founda-
ton of new movement in the mind and policy of
European nations with regard to this country.
The French people already declare that what
ever be the purpose of their own government,
they will not be mised by the overtures OF
the British government into any position hostile to
the United States, respecting question which they
regard as one strictly confined to this continent, as
they believe the question of Texas to be. When
the people and government of Europe shall have
ascertained the position which this country is
about assume on the Oregon question, the move
ment now discovered in France will only be more
widely diffused and strengthened. The policy OF
France, indicated by its Independent PRESS
places in an entirely new point of view the policy
OF this country in relation to England, and gives
additional strength to our government, our Con-
gress, and our people, in pursuing their purpo
ses, without any alarm dread Of the English
power. If England should demand an apology
as is minated, and she possibly may by the
next steaner-for the PRONUNCIATION of that despatch
to Mr. King, we trust and hope that our govern
ment will retort with the same high spirit as that
which sustained them through two wars with that
naughty empire. We have nothing to fear from
her threats, or from her violence or from her in
trgues, either in Europe in this country. There
are feelings of consanguinity and sympathy be-
tween the French and American people, that will
always form check to the British power, either
In Europe this cuntiurnt aud ir dad ..
possess within ourselves, in control of the cot
ton market of the world, the means of compelling
England 10 maintain her pacific relations with us,
we would still have, in the friendship and sympa
thy of the French people, power that would pre-
vent her from showing any signs of war or Of hos
tility to this republic.
From these indications already coming from the
other side we perfectly satisfied that the policy
of the United States. in relation both to Texas and
Oregon, will be more and more strengthened by
every fresh manifestation from the other indie.
pendent powers of Europe. France, Germany,
and particularly Russia if they have any feeling Of
sympathy on the subject, will be in favor of this
country. Such being the strength of our position
in Europe, and such being the popular feelings
andpurposes in this country what is the reason thai
measures should not be at once taken in relation
both to Texas and Oregon, and those laws and
movements completed which may bring abou,
quick and immediate occupation of both these
territories9 At this moment the two sections Of
the democracy in the Senate and in the House are
discussing, celebrating, and quarrelling between
two plans of annexation-that of Brown and tina
of Benton. We conceive that the whole question
in those two plans is bagatelle, and that tn,
points Of difference are not at all worthy of sucl
controversy. This controversy, indeed, has it
origin in those miserable intrgues that are LOOKING
for particular positions for the Presidency in lS4S
and we would just as soon take the plan of MI
Benton as any other that we have seen, in order t,
bring about a dignifed, honorable, and immediate
annexation of Texas We can see no objection
whatever to the adoption OF the plan of Mr. Benton
It declaration in the face OF the world that tn
annexation is to be completed according I,
constitutional terms at the earliest PRACTICABLE
period There may, indeed, be some doubt
whether Congress have power under the consti
tuition to take the subject out of the hands of tn
Senate, that body being the sole treaty maxim
power and in order to avoid that difficulty, w
think it would be much the wisest and safest pIa
for the whole of the democratic party and tn
friends OF annexation, to adopt Mr.. Benton's pla
at once, as being one on which all could agree
and which would bring about the issue nearly a
soon any other method.
We trust, therefore, and we hope and beiev
that the presence of Mr. Polk, now in Washing
ton, according to all rational calculations
have soothing effect on these contending fac
tons, and that either the one or the other plan wi
be adopted at once, and the mater definitely SCI
tied in its preliminary steps Let then, the Orego
bill pass, and let the British government rave an
rant and ask for apologies as much as they please
this country is in position so far as regards he
relations with France and other foreign powers
and her own vitality and strength within her ow
limits, to bid defiance to England and the who'll
power she exercises, from the rising to the settin
of the sun.
BIsHor HucHKs.-We give in this days paper
report OF Bishop Hughes's last lecture at ST. Pa
tricks Cathedral Il is tolerably able effor