The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-03-24
The Position of1ne Uni,cI States.

Some Of our contemporaries hs We taken ex
ception to the views We have given, de fining the
position ofthe United States, in reference to the
French revelation, and the events which may
spring from that great fact, among the coun-
tries OF Europe. In our opinion, the Mexican
war having been terminated by the treaty OF
peace, it was advisable for the United States at
once to turn their attention TO the events OF the
Old World, and TO take such position, and
adop. such measures, as would place them be-
yond The reach Of those conflicts in Europe being
of any detriment 10 our commerce or trade, in
any part OF the world. We advised Congress to
enlarge the naval service, and to take measures
fsr constructing, soon as possible, ten or
twenty steamships of the line, to be used as
packets, until the emergency called them out Tor
public purposes.
These views have been termed absurd by some,
aud have been rdiculed by others.
Ignorance and presumption are probably the best
excuses for those minds which can deal out such
epitheis to suggestions sanctihed by the expert
ence Of half century. Look back at the history
of this country, from the time of the first French
revolution, and mark the events which track
that history up to the war with England, In the
year 1872 The great conflicts In Europe, which
lasted for many years, at the close OF the last
and the beginning of the present century, ne
cessarily brought many of those governments
into collision with the position OF the United
States, which affected our commerce, our trade,
and our maritime rights, In every part of the
world. The atrocities committed On American
commerce, gave birth to the war of 1872, be-
tween England and the United States. Even the
French government of those days-bolh repub-
lican and mperal-trespassed on those rights:
and 1t was only within the last few years, under
threat Illuminated against the recent govern
ment of France by General Jackson, that Louis
Philippe was compelled to do us justice, and to
pay for those outrages committed during the
conflicts that took place then in Europe.
II in those days the United States had pos.
sessed as much physical power as she can WELD
now, if she chooses, many oil those outrages
would never have been committed and the wal
between the United States and England might
have been prevented by abstinence, on the par
of England, to nfic. injury and insult on Amer
can commerce. We are now in different
position. We are a great, growing, flch,
and powerful people. We ought to take g
proper position in the world, at this important
crisis in European affairs. We need not depart
from dignifed neutral position; but we ough,
10 be in position of strength On the ocean 10
command the respect of all parties, and be able,
at the same time, TO express sympathy with those
movements that are similar 10 the popular insti-
tutions of our own land.
IF such views are absurd and ridiculous, we
are willing TO bear the infamy, in all its length
and breadth, and to make it even monopoly by
&C. Of the Legislature or of Congress.
THg QuARRELs OF THE PoL1TIciANs-We have
already noticed briefly the disruption which ha:
taken place in the democratic party in this State
growing out of the WiImot proviso-a disruption
which has been made for political purposes, and
which will be extended to other Northern States
for like purposes. The wing party, it appears,
is also IN q similar dilemma to that of the demo
Gratis. Its two chief organs in this city-,he
Tribune and the Courier and EnGuirsr--are very
busy in dividing their party, and disorganizing i
as much as they can, between the two candidates
Clay and Taylor.
We should not be at all surprised to see great
disturbance and Reorganization among the
whige, extending itself even to the great conven.
ton to be held in Philade pha in June next MOI
do we care how much bcih these parties may
quarrel among themselves, and be divided. We
like it, rather. The probability is, that If the
politicians in both these great factions should
agree to quarrel together, the people would stanc
better chance Of getting a coed President
and OF establishing a better government than
even that OF Mr.. Polk, which, TO be sure, IL
pretty fair in its wsy-sbout half and half, II
point of honesty and good Intentions; Blu, very
dear and high priced. Before the present SEES
sion of Congress terminates, similar quarrels
will prevail In that body, and anything we can
do to help them along, We will do most cheer.
fully. We hope the quarreisome members OF
Congress will NOT spare each other in Their
abuse The more violent and abusive, the more
readable it is. A BLACKBOARD, witty M c. con
sidercd in the light OF a piece Of newspaper
properly, is worth six. or even dozen, quiet, re.
spectacle, discreet members.