The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-03-22

New York, sunday, march ~, IsAe.
The United States and Great Britain-The
Commercial Policy OF Each, Foreign and
Domestic.
In conformity 10 the spirit of fairness and liberal.
ity which has uniformly governed the columns of
the Herald we have published the last of a series
Of letters written by Mr.. Lawrence of Massachu-
Sets to Mr. Rives OF Virginia Whewe thus af.
ford, through our extensive and varied circulation
aftopporunity to every class OF our fellow citizens,
irrespective Of political and social relations, to be-
come familiar with the substantial basis Of the ar
guments which are made use of by those who
coincide in opinion with Mr. Lawrence, we intend
10 assume no other responsibility than corresponds
with the duty of an independent press, under the
honest convection that in the end, an intelligent
public opinion will be formed, which will eventually
and permanently establish system Of political ac-
ton in this country perfectly free and disembar-
rassed from foreign influences partisan dictation
In our estimation, the power Of the free press has
tended more to enhghten the public than any other
means of instruction; and the larger and more ex-
tensve The circulation shall be, the greater will be
the conservative control of legitimate national SEN
tment To those who have watched the career of
the independent press, it has been perfectly evident
that, aswe have spread in every direction the most
reliable information, regardless of party feelings or
the preudceso OF distinct cliqs, an irresistible in
road has been made, subverslve OF the domineerinp
dictanon OF partlzan journals. The public now find
that there are not only questionable sides to the pre-
tensions and the exclusive claims of both political
factions but that each may entertain honorable and
honest motives, In their respective opinions and,
what mostcertain, we have forced the conviction
throush the information we have so dffusey and
copiously circulated, that the simple radicalsm of
each political sect would be equally inefficient as
the regulating power Of the national administration
In the great multiplicity of interests connected with
our position, and having an eye to the councils OF
foreign countries, no enlightened American states
man would risk his repuaton as a4ound politician,
py an obstinate adherence to the contracted dognas
OF anuquated enthusiasts, the sectional inspira.
lions OF impractical local speculative theories
In the United States there ls little wisdom in "mas
Terry inactivity, and many Of the opinion that the
mlsslsslpp' and its tributary streams do not acquire
any greater claims on the patronage Of the Federal
government. from the cognom. Of inland seas !"
II our mighty leadef s would exercise a IittIe more
honesty and straight forward common sense. when
tney appear before their fellow citizens they would
not 90 often overstep the bounds Of discrerien by
taking positions which are not only un'enab'e but
frequently extr clney ridiculous. Ii those gentlemen
VINO seem 30 very anxious to acquire public fame.
would respect the Federal constitution as the funda
menfalla law OF sovereign nation, framed by con.
vention OF the purest and most enlightened States
men, they would come to the irresistible conclusion
that the national government is fully constituted to
exercise the functions Of an independent rower.
destined to greatness, and the extension of the hu
manizing influences Of personal freedom and demo.
cratic liberty.
In the course OF time, we do not doubt that the
principles of free trade will exercise controllino
sway over the business lnterchanges of the world
mat sooner or later, the commercial advantages Of
each country Will rest solely superiority of DO
siuon, industry and enterprise, acting within the
sphere OF the most enlightened political liberty:
ana, as we have made the nearest approach TO that
condition, IN which the sovereign will of the people
Is properly felt we have only to abide the appropri-
ate period to move in concert with the practice of
other countries, In order to give proper permanency
10 the most liberal system OF political economy !
Inc idea is,neverheless supposed to be Utopan that
an absolute scheme ofree trade can ever be adopted
Inc habits, wants, passions, practices and religious
feelings OF the nations CT the world are not more
dissmar than are their localities climates and pro.
auctions ; and those who would seriously advocate
the possible existence OF such doctrinal absurdties
would evlnce better claims to become the unhappy
tenants of lunatic asylum, than to be the admired
of an intelligent, sober-minded people But we
shall see.
1t 10 our duty to watch the progress Of events.
This Is the part of true wisdom. We must, never
theless, follow, with the most scrupulous caution.
every foreign change, as the consequence Of ple-
thorc habit, keeping our position at such dis
lance from the vortex that may be so situated az
to be able TO recede to advance without difficult
~, as the line OF prudential counsel shall dictate
The progress Of this country, although not to be
considered the mere result of combin alton of
happy circumstances, ought still to be regarded as
the exuberant growth OF powerful fortuitous TO-
reign impulses and, as we have not yet arrived at
that stable point, where we can adopt a policy of
perfect independenccpwe should measure our steps
with the wisdom acquired through the lessons Of
salutary experience. II cannot be the course of
discreet legislation to break down the wholesome
barriers which now constitute our best protec-
ton, and In yielding to the frse-trade policy Of
Great Britain, afford an opportunity for the INTRO
duction OF the most banefu competition to our car
dinal interests.
In looking toward to the proposed transition from
aprotectve revenue system, it is no competent Jus.
fu'caton for the sacrifice we may have to encoun.
ter IN placing the prosperity and welfare Of the
whole country in state of positive jeopardy, that
the commercial professions Of other nations are
vacilatng In the same direction 1t is possible that
our progress may be tending to that happy state Of
commercial millennium, but, as there yet exists
mighty chasm between impractcable theories and
experimental wisdom, we ought not to be too earn.
est In preparing to destroy the fair fabric Of our ma
uonal importance. If the promise of American
prosperity were clouded-ifour extraordinary strides
to wealth were doubfa,--or, what would be more
important if there existed want of harmony and