The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-17

Gay, and the Cambria ner thirteenth
Editorial correspondence from Washington.
WASHINGTON, Feb Is, 1916
This IS most interesting period in the history OF
American afiairs-a complete crisis, as il may be
called, In the history OF popular government
have been IN the habit OF visiting Washington Pc
riodlcaly for the last twenty years, but have never
found public affairs in 50 interestlng-so perpexing
so critical condition, as regards domestic and
foreign affairs, almost leading TO peace or war
have now been here week, endeavoring to
find out the correct Interpretation OF the "seeds OF
the future"-the real position Of things now, and
their probable issue during the present session Of
Congress. According TO the best information can
procure, I am decidedly OF opinion that the Oregon
negotiations, on which hang the peace OF the world
almost viii remain IN their present unsettled, open
position, until the tariff BILL prepared under the
direction OF MIR. Walker, and slightly modified,
perhaps, by the committee, shall have passed both
Houses OF Congress, and become law.
The last correspondence between Mr. Buchanan
and Mr. Pakenham has reduced the Oregon con-
troversy TO the alternative Of fair compromise on
something like the 49h parallel, or ultimate war.
Mediation, II it ever should be attempted, would
share the fate OF arbitration at least with this adj
mnistratlon. The Oregon controversy, whatever
rumors may be circulated of fresh negotiations,
will remain an open question between the two 60
vernmens, until Congress shall have passed upon
the new tariff bill. Mr. Polk can keep the negotia-
tons in that position, and if he did not the British
negotator can and probably will do so. There
may be informal conversations between Mr. 3D.
chanan and Mr. Pakenham, during the interval, but
Ihops strong reasons for believing that there tW be
positive negotidt,onsnO treaty-no settlement Of
the question Of peace ,cdr, until the nec tariff dill
shall haze passed If that proposed law should be
rejected, there is no telling what the results, affect
ing our foreign relations, may be.
In the meantime, the debate on the notice will
drag its slow length along in the Senate, while the
new tariff, to be followed by the sub-treasury, will
be up in few days in the House of Representatives
Mr.. Walkers bill, which must admit is most ad-
mirabe and comprehensive system, constructed on
the most accurate and profound principles of poll
neal economy, will be reported to the House, with
some few changes affecting not it's principle-only
Its fiscal character. These changes learn will be
the addition OF per cent to the duties on cotton
and woollen goods imported BY Mr. Walkers bill,
cotton goods will pay 2Oper cent-woollsn Is. The
bill amended by the Committee Of the House may
increase the former Is and the latter TO 80, with
some few other immateral alterations.
In this view OF things, 1t becomes a matter OF
some importance affecting both our foreign and do
mestic affairs, ascertain what may be the fate of
the proposed new tariff BILL which may become, by
It's indirect connection with our relations with Eng
land, leading element of peace or war,
Mr.. Walker and his friends, understand, believe
that their bill will pass the House byl2 or 20 majority,
and the Senate by similar Among the high
multiplication men, different result is anticpa-
ted This latter class of patriots profess believe
that the tariff OF 1872 Is as npregnable the Rocky
Mountains According to the best information |
can procure, am more disposed to believe in the
calculation OF Mr.. Walker and the friends OF the
revenue tariff. A great change has certainly taken
place IN the opinions of intelligent men, relative to
the policy and philosophy OF high and protective
tariff system-perhaps as much, or nearly as much
AZ IN the high and inflated banking system The lat
ter, as Mr. Webster said truly in Faneull Hail.
IAN obsolete idea," and the former is rapidly APP
preaching that point Of antiquity. Twenty-Five
years ago, about the time first visited this metropo
lis, Daniel Webster and John c. Calhoun-the one
the great represe NATIVE OF Northern interests, the
other of Southern nteresis-stood on the same
level, shoulder to shoulder, advocating the
doctrines Of liberal commercial principles l
am not sure but these two great statesmen are,
In the mutations of human affairs, and through the
revolutions OF trade, approaching the point OF
doctrine again. On the Oregon question, thus far,
they have been thrown together, partly arising from
almost Identical commercial interests which they
representative South to preserve her cotton
ports, and the North her manufactured cotton ex-
portsfor believe that the exports oil manufactured
cottons, principally from New England now amount
to $4,000 900, Sl2 600 900 and, il peace be
served, may in twenty years reach the value of all
the exports of the South
II is therefore extravagant idea to anticipate,
that at no distant day-perhaps during the present
sesslon-Mr. Webster and the New England manu-
featuring interests, now firmly established and
strong enough to compete with England the
foreign markets, may gradually relax from their
high tariff notions, and return TO the more phlloso
pnica and correct views of liberal principles in trade
which characterised their public conduct from 1915
to 1924. II they study their commercial position
with any degree OF common sagaclty, they may find
the Oregon question satisfactorily settled and their
increasing foreign export trade in cottons and wool
lens secured, smuta neously with the passage OF the
new tariff bill by both houses OF Congress. could
say more on this polnt-but il is better not. word
10 the wise is sufficient The only obstinate and
incorporating opponents OF the new liberal tariff
bill,wll be that class OF men who partly fanatics
and partly men OF mere party feelings and passions
From this view OF the state of affairs here, it will
be seen that the tariff question may be considered
IN some measure, the key that may lock or unlock
the complicated foreign and domestic crisis that
now exists The sub-treasury, or proposed new fis-
cal arrangements, and also the warehousng bill, are
only part and parcel Of Mr.. Walkers compreh en-
slve internal system, aud il will follow the fate of
the newtarifi The Oregon negotiations may rema in
abeyance, or only proceed slowly to the point of
compromise, until these other questions are solved
Such is my information, and such i. nv belief.
Further information, and deeper and closer re-
searchee among all parties here mau p,odifr