The New York herald., 1849-05-31


the cabinet fancy that the whole people OF the
United States are convulsed about the appoint
ment of an appraiser, or agonized by the groans
of an elected tide-water! Allvery small business.
The American people look to higher objects. They
look to great leading principles and measures
They are no unconcerned spectators of that stu
pendous drama which is now enacting in Europe.
The foreign policy of General Taylor's admins
tration is the grand theme Of conjecture, specu-
aton, hope and fear. Never, since the organi-
zation of the government, was there any ad-
mnistraton which has had 30 fair an alienation as
the present between the most brilliant success
and the most ignoble failure. Occupying, in the
most stirring and eventfu age which the world
has yet seen, a commanding position among the
nations of mankind, the government OF the United
States is, at this moment, surrounded by respon-
sibilities of the most solemn and the grandest
character. Europe, in all its relatisns-commer-
cial, political, social-is cOnvulsed and shaken.
America cannot be Indifferent, if she would
We are an active, energetic people, devoted to
liberty and just freshly assured, by the result the
war in Mexico, of the possession of superior power
and resources. Will this active and energetic
people-crowding on one hand to the shores of the
Pacific in the pursuit of untold treasures and the
other keenly sympathizlng with every movement in
the European world, which has been brought within
only few days sail from our own Atlantic coast
support with any degree of favor, any administra-
ton, even that Of General Taylor himself, whig or
democratic, or whatever they may choose to be,
unless they have some tangible, strong, popular,
energetic policy, calculated to bring out the feelings.
and energies, and heroic impulses of the nation at
large2 General Taylor himself reached the White
House at Washington, and carried the whig party
with him into power, by the popularity which he
gained in the war with Mexico, showing the way
that that country could be conquered; for it the
hero of Buena Vista who opened up that victorious
pathway in which Scott and his associates follow
ed. General Taylor's administration can never be
popular with the masses Of the American people if
it sink down into inany-if it take no part or lot
in the great movement of the age-if it folds its
arms, and looks on at Europe, without stirring its
stumps in any direction.
We care nothing, or very little, for the appoint
ments or removals made at Washington. When
goood men are appointed, we approve-when in
competent men are chosen, we shall condemn.
But, as member of this great continent, we feel
deep and abiding interest in the foreign policy
which the government of the United States may
pursue under the present administration. In the
interesting and wonderful Crisis at which the ci-
vilized word has now arIved-amd the revolu-
tlonary movements which are shaking all Europe
in view of the mighty commercial changes, at
home and abroad, likely TO follow the remarkable
discoveries in California-no intelligent mind can
resist the conclusion that if the administration of
General Taylor pursue policy antagonistic in
any degree, to the national impulses Of the Ame-
rican people, and the spirit of this great age, fail
ure must inevitably follow. The day of frigid
neutrality has gone for ever. In the early days of
the republic, that was national and wise policy
But circumstances have changed. A handful of
people have become a mighty nation. We have
become one Of the great powers Of the earth; and
this vastly augmented strength, and this mmea-
surably superior position, have brought with them
new duties, new responsibilities, and the neces-
sity of another policy ALI this is well known
abroad. The British government, British journal
lists, and British statesmen, openly recognize the
new position in which recent events have placed
the United States.
If we are to maintain neutrality, it must be an
armed neutrality. 1t mnst be the neutrality nf
an imbecile or Indifferent spectator. 1t must be
the neutrality of the staunch warrior with his har-
ness on, and an eye ever on the alert 1t must
be neutrality that will prevent England from in
terposing obstacles to the progress of freedom on
the continent Of Europe, and by which she will be
admonished of the propriety and necessity of al
lowing the affairs of the nations in that portion of
the globe 10 be decided by the impulses, desires,
strength and will of their own people. The strong
instinct of selfpresevation itself, admonishes
England to observe that course which our policy
should recommend to her. She is not ready as
formerly to interfere with the squabbes of con-
tending sovereigns, or the of rival dynasties.
1t is also the interest of England to unite her des
tiny, the great march of civilization and liberty,
with this country. Let our policy, then, in rela
ton to foreign affairs, be in accordance with the
spirit of the age, the obligations of duty and the
spirit and impulses of our own people.
We have much more to say in further exposition
Of our views on this important subject, and will
soon recur to it.
The SANITARY COMMITTEES AND THE BOARD oP