The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-06-20
The Foreign News-European Politics-Ore
gon Treaty and Mexican Mediation.

lon s Adrisnce.
The Foreign News-EurOpean Politics-Ore-
gon Treaty and Mexican Mediation.
Our advices from Europe by the steamship Ca
ledona, at Boston, from Liverpool, are, in polit-
ical point of view, rather important and interest
ing. 1t appears that the great powers of the old
world are looking forward to certain events with
the greatest anxiety, and, we might add. the great
est fear. The peace of Europe hangs upon the
slightest thread-that Of the lives oftwo aged indi-
viduals. The deaths of Louis of France, and Met
terneh, of Austria, may at any moment take
place, as they have been long expected, and that
moment will be crisis in the affairs of the world.
England is preparing for this crisis.
The sudden settlement of the Oregon question
the offer of mediation between this country and
Mexico in relation to our difficulties with that
Countrywide arming of Canada and the efforts to
reconcile the various interests of her North Anne
rcan provinces, evidences of the determine
ton of the British ministry to leave nothing in this
section of the world likely to attract attention
in the event Of difficulties nearer home. There
appears to be an effort making to concentrate her
forces TO meet any emergency the political
changes on the continent Of Europe may
produce, and the government naturally wishes
to be relieved from any apprehension Of
rupture with the United States. We attr-
butte the abrupt and hasty settlement Of the Ore
gon question, principally to the policy Great Bril-
tain has been compelled to adopt, in consequence
of the position taken by France. Had the British
ministry been successful in their efforts to draw
the French government to their side, and have
perfected the combination contemplated by the
principal powers of Europe, in relation to the an
nexation of Texas, and succeeded in getting up
the proposed protest against annexation, the Ore
gon question would have assumed different
shape, and the ultmatum of Great Britain would
have been such that it would not have been ac-
cepted by the United States. When we look at
the repeated offers which have been made by our
government to settle the north west boundary,
and which have been rs repeatedly refused, and
compare them with the terms of the treaty re-
Gently ratified, based upon proposals from the
British government, no one can resist the conclu-
sion but that some powerful influence has been
brought to bear upon the question, as unexpected
as it has proved effective.
This influence, which has, at all events secured
the peace of the two most important powers in
the world, is nothing more or less than what we
have alluded to in the beginning Of this article
The eyes of Europe have been turned upon this
continent, and the re has been an effort made by
several of the European powers to preserve what
has been termed the balance of power among the
republics of North and South America. With
what success their efforts have been crowned the
whole world is conversant, and it is highly proba
BILE that no further attempts will be made to pre-
serve better balance than that already in exist
ence At all events, there is very little doubt but
that the republics of this continent will be left to
regulate their own balances, without requiring
any aid from the political mathematcians of Eu-
rope, and in the Mexican affair, "Old Rough and
Ready" has already been selected as the media
tor by government, and he is the only one
that the American people will recognize.
From the little black clouds which have from
time to time appeared in the east, we should
judge that the political horizon Of Europe was
not so clear the governments Of that continent
would wish; and it in anticipation Of these black
clouds enlarging and spreading over greater
surface, that has Withdrawn the attention Of those
more interested inEasten affairs from the political
millions of the western world. Separated as we
are from the governments of Europe, we take no
particular interest in their political concerns
geographical position prevents us from being en-
broiled in any of the disputes and difficulties
4
signal service to us in accomplishing certain inn
portant political objects. The settlement Of the
Oregon question is another favorable result of do
mestc difficulties in the political families of Eu-
rope, far as we are concerned
WEST PoINr AcADEMY.-In certain sections OF
the country, among the sausage democracy
and oyster cellar literati, it has become
quite popular of late, for the want of some
better theme upon which to exercise their
tongues and pei to decry the character and USE
fulness of the military academy at West Point.
In order to rebut many of the false and ridiculous
charges urged against the institution, and in con-
sderation of the fact that the country is now en-
gagged in a wal, in which many West Point gradu-
ates have shone conspicuously, we thought proper
to despatch special correspondent there, whose
letters were published in the Herald through last
week, and which exhibit the true state of affairs
at West Point.
The history of West Point is generally well
known. AS a military post it was conspicuous
in the stormy days of the revolutionary struggle.
No sooner was the war concluded, than It became
a matter Of discussion how the country could be
prepared for defence, without the manifold evils
of standing army. In 1898, Washington, after
mature deliberation upon the subject, proposed to
Congress the establishment Of school for instruc-
ton in military affairs. BY an act Of Congress
March 10th, 1902 military institution was esta-
blished ut West Point This, however, was on n
small scale. and il was not until 1872, when the
country was on the Of war with England,
that the institution was permanently established
upon its present basis Since that time many
gallant officers have been educated there, who
have done their country service on the western
and northern frontier, in Florida aud Texas; ard
several of them have been slain in battle
The objections urged against the institution nrc
generally made by those who have no knowlcdge
Mt all, or very slight one, Of It's practical opera
tons. Firstly, its usefulness has been much called
in question. II has been said, that officers spring