The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-15
TWO CENTS.

T.
small supplement from our side of the Atlantic
Our readers probably aware that the difference
which has arisen to the postage OF letters brought
to England or the States by mail steamers belong
ing respectively to the other nation has been
happily arranged. A postal treaty has been drawn
up, to the effect that one shilling shall convey
letter from any part OF the United Kingdom to any
part OF the United States, and wee versa, with pro-
vision for newspapers and pamphlets at low rates.
The treaty has not yet been ratified but in antlci-
patton thereof the one shilling on letters coming
by the United States packets has been taken of at
once and there no doubt that the United States
Postmaster will take off the extra twenty-four
cents now imposed on letters arriving by our
packets as soon as he hears what has been done
on our side.
mi From the London Chronicle, Dec. 221
Inc Message OF an American Preslden. is
document OF which the Importance BY no means
corresponds with its length, or with the Il tular po-
sitlon of Its author. 1t is, in fact. neither NOR.
nor less than party pamphlet, containing an his
torical statement OF the events OF the year elapsed,
together with an argumentatlve defence of the
Presidents conduct during the same period With
respect to his future policy; or the future policy
OF his country, the President can tell little more
than any ordinary political observer lnasmlch as
that must depend altogether upon the iluctuating
caprice OF his masters--the people. More espe-
cIally Is this the where, the present in-
stance, the President Is in the anomalous position
of holding Office, not tll hlssuccessor be appoints
ed, but ii the time shall come for the successor;
who has already been appointed, to push him from
his stool. A new star Is in the ascendant--a new
hero" has the ear Of the multitude; and, during
the three short months which must elapse before
President Polk shall have returned to hs gInal
inslgnlfcance, his words and actions will be alto
gether destitute OF Importance or of value. He is
the organ of defeated party-the mouth piece of
minority; and, although our curiosity may be
grated by hearing what he has to say, it is some-
what damped by knowing that he can do nothing.
AS party pamphlet, however, his Specie calls
for some remark; Mr.. Polk is the chosen repre-
sent tive OF the lowest section of the American
democracy. Ambitious, vulgar, INSCRIPTIONS, not
without considerable ability of certain kind but
wholly destitute OF the higher qualities of state
manshlp, he was elected, tour years ago, to the
the worst influences which prevail in the Union.
The great question Of that day was the annexation
OF Texas, involving, as was clearly seen, war
with Mexico, and MIR. Polk entered the "Whlte
favor OF that measure. incidentally, however,
and IN minor degree, wise and enlightened
tendency towards free trade, which then prevailed
In America, contributed to his success Accord
tariff Of 1916 to the 'American," or protective
system, constitute the chief features of his adj
and two-thrds of this, his farewell
message, are devoted to retrospective consider
tlonal argument In support of the exercise Of
the veto, which absolutely destitute of
interest to European readers, In other re-
spects, from first to last, the speech, with one
exception, which we shall presently notice, is
simply song of triumph-a very highly.spiced cup
of fattery to Mr.. Folks countrymen, implying, Of
course, indirectly, sufficient modicum of applause
to Mr.. Polk hlmself-an exposition, setting forth,
with all the minuteness Of gazetteer, and all the
exaggeraton OF panegyrica orator, the greatness,
glory, achievements, and resources OF the American
republic" Peace, plenty, and contentment reign
throughout our borders, and our beloved country
presents sublime moral spectacle to the world"
" Our fame and character as a nation continue ra-
pidly to advance In the estimation of the civilized
world" Our soldiers have been the hravest and
most victorious against the most fearful odds; and
cit the services of our navy were not brilliant,
1t was only because they had no enemy to meet"
"Our'' revenue has been the most productive,
our" finances the most PROSPEROUS, sour" re-
sources the most progressive, I" our" Institutions
have shown themselves the wisest and the freest;
" our" territory, already larger than Europe, has
been increased by more than one-half; our" sea-
board has extended itself in similar proportion.
In short, IN the opinion of President Polk. America
has exhibited, during his tenure of office, every
element which could make up Yankees" notion
OF the golden age. 1t Is an invldlOus, but neces-
airy, task tor foreign commentator on this as on
similar harangues to supply the shade of this bril-
liant plcture-tO act the part OF the slave at the Ro-
man triumphs, and to remind our Observation-Disclosures
that they too are mortal. II true that they have
been the spoiled children OF fortune. Placed as they
are, without either rivals or obstacles the midst
OF vast continent, which offers Its varied trea-
sures almost IN too great prolpson to their hands,
there is some foundation for the words with which
Mr.. Polk commences one of his pompous para
graphs: -"Nothing can retard the onward progress
OF our country, but disregard of the experience
OF the past, and recurrence to an unwse policy
during the last four years, too, fortune has APP
peared especially and exceptionally favorable to
them. war, undertaken in defiance of justice,
has been carried to conclusion apparently as pro-
htable as 1t was undeniably brilliant; while the
occurrence OF four successive years of scarcity in
Europe, contemporaneOusly with an extraordinary
abundance in America, by producing enormous
expectations at unprecedented prices. enabled the
latter to bear, almost without feeling Them, the
burdens entalled by, her conquests.. What she
wants are capital and population, and our famine
sent her both and, accordingly, we doubt whe-
ther any former quadrennlal period ever saw so
rapid an increase in the elements OF her material
we alth. So tar, then, we admit that Mr.. Polk is
inclined to dispute the proportion of this prosperity
which is due to his, or indeed to any human,
agency. But when he says that the United States
present sublime moral spectacle,,", and that
Their lame and character In the world are rapidly
advanclng;" and when he processes not to see a
single coud on their brilliant horizon, then we are
to differ from him toto carlo. There are
other considerations, which appear even more I'M
poitant than those connected with immediate ma
tenal progress, to one who would contem-
plate with statesman's eye the destlnies of
America; and to these, even at the risk OF
American indignation, we cannot help abiding.
In the first place, America has gwen to the
world an example, DUNG the late Presidential
administration, OF the most unprlDcipled and rapa-
cious ambition. For the first time In her history
openly fingIDg to the winds the precepts of her
older statesmen, she has embarked in career of
conquest; ana there Is every reason to fear that
Mr.. Polk has bequeathed to his successors the
heritage, not only OF national burdens wautonly
increased, but OF national mind permanently de-
moralized. lnthe second place, the damning blot
OF reputation still furnishes the national fame;
and the four years just passed, while they have
seen that vast increase, on which Mr. Polk insists,
In the resources of the Union, have not seen
single step taken towards washing 1t out. The
assets, indeed, have increased, but the liabilities
have not diminished and, consequently, while
the Americans have more money, they have less
honor. One fact is worth thousand assertions
about the character Of the nation advancing"
namely, that notwithstanding the admitted and un-
ofAmerIca, herfedera stock is
to be had at this moment, at lower price than those
of revoutionzed France and distracted Austria.
The last "cloud in the horizon to which we
shall allude, has been treated of, by Mr. Polk,
with an elabOrateness which betrays anxiety.
The slavery question Is coming to q crsls. II IL