The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-18
ADJUSTMENTS THIS EVENING.
American Neutrality In European Affair.

American Neutrality In European Affairs.
The purchase of the steamship United States IN
this city, by the Central government of Germany,
and the consequent negotiations on that purchase,
between the government at Washington on the one
side, and the Danish and German representatives
on the other, will probably command a great deal
of attention both sides of the Atlantic, and no
small amount of controversy, of all kinds this
side Of the water. The correspondence on the
subject has just been published by the authority of
the American government. 1t is very long; but we
shall endeavor to find room for it double Sheet
tomorrow; for Its Importance can hardly be over
rated In illustrating the position which the United
States at present holds towards the revolutionary
conflicts Just commenced so vefemently, and which
will probably continue for long time, in Europe
The policy pursued in relation to this matter-the
purchase OF the steamer under Mr.. Folks admi-
Eistration-is so opposite to that which has been
adopted by General Taylor, (both courses, too,
being based on the same state of facts and the
laws,) that it will provoke very long and violent
controversy between the administration and the
opposition party in this country 1t will be con-
troversy, however, which we conceive to be far
behind the age in which we live, and utterly abb
surd and untenable IN the new and great crisis
pending in the civilized world on both sides of the
Atlantic. There Can be no question that General
Taylor and his cabinet believe that they are acting
in strict conformity to the old law of '9i, well
with all subsequent provisions by Congress,
which formed our neutrality policy at the close of
the last century, during the old French revolu-
tion, and which was undoubtedly good policy
for this country to pursue during its infancy,
and before we had attained the power and po-
sition in the civilized world which we now
hold. Such controversy, therefore, between
the organs of the administration and those of the
opposition party, will only be quarrel among petit
foggers about the meaning of parcel of old an
musty statutes. We brush away all those matters
at once, and come to the real point which ought
to engage the attention of the government at Wash
ington, and which no doubt will occupy the
thoughts of the American people, as well as the
popular impulses in Europe. Those rigid laws
neutrality, tying down and binding up the weak
elements of a young republic-as this nation was in
the last century-ought to be ampli6ed and en-
larged, in order TO correspond with the great and
liberal impulses of the American people In this
mighty, moving age of the world. The affair of
the steamer United States is a mere bagatelle.
The laws under which the government decided
that NATTER should be amended at the first meet
ing of Congress, and more liberal policy, cores
Ponding with the power, and greatness, and infiu-
ence of this country, adopted at once by that body
General Taylor's administration, we have no doubt,
will be the first to apply such an enlarged policy
to their particular action, by which they might be
enabled to sympathize, even beyond the letter of
existing laws, with the great movement now being
made by the people of Europe to rid themselves
of despotIsm and arbitrary power, the Ameri-
can people did over half century ago.
What the policy OF the United States should be
In the approaching great struggle in Europe, be-
tween despotsm and liberty, it is difficult at the
present time TO chalk out with accuracy minute
ness. Events will govern its formations but it is very
certain that the naval and military powers Of this
country sufficient TO preserve our commercial
and neutral rights on the ocean, to a much greater
extent, and with firmer hand, than they
during the last mighty war Ia Europe. Perhaps
II might be departing from the Evolutionary policy
OF this government to unite with those of France
and England IN peaceful remonsrance against
the Russian manifesto and the Russian Interven-
ton in the affairs of Germany; but there can be no
doubt that the civilized world favorable to liberty
and the rights of man, have as much abstract and
inherent right to interfere in the affairs of Ger
many, IN favor of a struggling people, the Car
of Russia has TO travel beyond his boundary line,
and threaten TO aid and assist in putting down
human rights. AT least, however, it may be the
safest policy of the American government sym
pathize with the suffering people of Europe, but
also TO assume high and strong position IN rela-
ton to the freedom of the ocean, to the CONNER
cia rights of all nations, and particularly in reli-
fion to those colonies onih's continent which may
want to cast of the hgainents which yet unite
them to the old governments Of Europe--we raean
Canada and Cuba But not only this; for the
Britsh government has been endeavoring to plant
Its foot in South America, on the Ishmus, on the
Mosquito Shore, and this attempt will undoubtedly
be met by Gen. Tsylor's administration with the
spirit which animated'Mr. Monroe's when he de-
clared that no European government should at
tempt to recolonize in any form, on this continent.
All those matters, however, connected with the
foreign policy of this country, regards the great
drama now going on in Europe, will require time
TO mature and bnng into action 1t is hardly yet
known what direction affairs in Europe will take
who may become the beligereuts, or who be-
come neutrals; but is very evident that change
very important and decided change must be
adopted at the next session of Congress, in refe-
renee to the laws which have existed on the sta
tute book for half century past, and which were
adapted TO another age, and different position of
things, than what we see about to commence IN
Europe. The affair, therefore, Of the steamer
United States, and the action Of our government
concerning 1t, may be in strict accordance with
the laws; but those laws are old and unsuited to
the spirit OF the age, and should be amended as
soon the representatives. of the people meet at
Washington.
The CRESCENT Cry will be due at this port on