The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-22


Hungarians. We may expect the news to-day;
the wires between Boston and Portland were out
OF order last night.
Europe and the United States-Foreign PO-
Hey of the Present Administration.
As iptimated some weeks since, the relations OF
fhe United States with European powers are rapidly
assuming an aspect of grave Importance. The law
less abduction of Spanard, who had sought the
protection of flag, in own soil, by the agents
Of the Spanish government, and the singular move
ments which have been in progress, looking to
formidable revolution in the Island Of Cuba, have
aroused the attention OF the whole country, and
stimulated the public interest and anxiety to no or
binary pitch of excitement. Everywhere, all the
facts that have yet come to light IN relation to
these affairs, are examined and studied with the
keenest attention. Conjecture is rite, and many
eyes are eagerly endeavorlng to pierce the failure
The government, at Washington, finds itself placed
n circumstances OF no common embarrassing
character; and as 1t has not yet afforded us any
very certain or definite indications OF its course and
policy in regard to foreign affairs its conduct adds
20 the general uneasiness, and provokes, in some
quarters, even no little alarm.
1t is true the administration have favored us with
few hints as to their general views about the con-
duct of our foreign relations The proclamation
which issued from the Department of State, de-
nouncng the projected, or supposed to be projected,
movement on Cuba, was in keeping with all that
we had reason to anticipate from the present cabl-
net at Washington. Various modes had previously
been adopted for the purpose Of imPressing upon
the public mind the fixed determination Of the adj
rinistrauon to maintain not merely strict neu-
nslity-a solemn and dignihed non-ntevention IN
European affairs-but an absolute indifference.
So the organs Of the cabinet, great and small,
assured us. So their petty agents, rejoicing In
petty clerkshps in the various departments,
took pains TO inform the world in various ways
therefore, the country was admenished to keep
cool, and secure itself against all danger OF being
involved in the storm which sweeps over Europe,
and threatens TO scatter the enemies OF the people
like chafT before the wind, ere Its wrath be fully
amended. We were reminded that the admins
SratIon would at all hazards, ms nan its frigidity
Whether despotlsm IN Europe held up its head or
was compelled 10 bite the dust, the pulse OF the
cabinet at Washington would suffer no Interrupt
fion in its "temperate music" What TO them
were the convulsive throes-the victories or de-
feats-of millions the other side Of the Atlantic,
Or the heavlng bosoms and uncomfortable sympa-
fhles Of millions here ; They were to behold all
unmoved-fixed as the polar star, and frgid as the
awful solitudes over which Its shines. No one
then could have been taken by surprise by the
% proclamation" or the comments which II called
forth in the organs Of the cabinet. IL was oil
sourse all right and proper TO denounce asa "nefan-
Gus movement" and gross violation OF treaty
obligations, the sympathetic response which certain
brave and ehivalric American freemen had, as IN
dviduals, gwen TO the appeal of the friends OF
liberty in Cuba. II disturbed the agreeable repose
OF the cabinet.
Blu, the affair Of Rey could not be so summarily
dismissed. The abduction Of that individual, we
need hardly remark, was one of the grossest out
RACES that could be committed by one government
spon another No higher insult could be perpe
trated upon nation, than the forclble seizure and
abduction of an individual enjoying its protection,
by the agents Of foreign power. Now, what has
been done in this casel What measures have
been adopted to avenge this outrage, and compel
rpeedy atonement for 1t the part of the Spanish
government What assurance has the country
had that the cabinet viii prosecute this affair to the
end IN manner consistent with the indignant feel
mrs and violated honor of the American people 7
should not the cabinet at Washington be admo-
uiehed, by this occurrence, Of the Imperative ne
oessity Of putting our navy into such condition as
would enable the government to meet any emer-
pencyi We have again and again urged upon the
administration the duty Of largely augmenting our
steam naval force. The country will be greatly
disappointed and Justly indignant If the Secretary
Of the Navy co not suggest, In his annual report to
Congress, the expedeney Of constructing several
additional war steamers, and recommend the ne
sessary appropriations for the purpose. In the pre-
sent agitated state OF European nations, 1t is
impossible TO calculate, for any length OF time, upon
our absolute immunity from hostile collision with
q foreign power. These recent occurrences speak
volumes as to the duty Of prompt and adequate pre-
paraton for the defence of our commerce ana our
flag
We are not so foolisha s TO insist that the govern
ment Of the United States should be converted into
an instrument Of political propagandism. We de-
sire to see no rash intermcddling in the affairs OF
other nations. But we confess that we do not adj
nire that cold indifference to the progress OF the
popular cause in Europe, which seems to charac-
perze the present cabinet and of course, exercises
chilling influence upon the sympathies and feel
ngs Of certain portions Of this great community Of
Aeemen. Il is melancholy to look abroad through
cut the United States, and behold so lttle appa-
rert sympathy with the grand struggle now going
on IN the continent Of Europe, between the people
and their ancient oppressors. We have not yet
had. in this land of republican liberty, any psbllc
demonstration at all approaching the interest and
grandeur of the great meeting in London, to ex-
yress the sympathy Of the friends of freedom in
the British metropolis for the gallant Hungarans
Why " IL sol Whence comes il that our people
seem go indifferent-so cold-so lmmovablel We