The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-02

slectiou Of Cen. Pierce. It thus becomes para
mount question, whether his administration viii |
rigidy enforce our obligations Of neutrality, and
seek the solution Of the Cuba question by bust
ness transaction in dollars and cents, or whether
on the other hand, it will connive ut the move
ments Of the l5~stros till they shall have madea
successful lodgment In the island drawn us into
a bloody war for the prize.
Now, to say nothing Of the dark and anomalous
state Of affairs in Hayti, and nothing Of the fishery
question, or Canadian reciprocity, or the Sandwich
Islands, or the affairs of South America, Africa,
Australia, or Japan, there will be work enough for
our State Department for several years. in clearing
up the unsettled business in our foreign relations
from Central America to Cuba.
What policy, then, may we anticipate of the new
administration upon the affairs Of Central America
and kexico-snd what, more especially, in relation
to the all important Cuba question: The Baltimore
platform is vague and indefinite. It may be con-
strued to the continuance of the stand still neutra
lity policy of President Fillmore. or it may be
stretched to embrace the anne xation of all North
America and armed Intervention in the affairs Of
every nation Of Europe. large margin Of discre-
ton is, therefore, left to Gen Pierce, in the adop
tion of the general and the specific policy which he
may pursue upon the weishty responsibilities of
foreign relations.
The selection of his Secretary Of State, and the
influences which may predo nate in his cabinet,
will afford living Interpretation Of the inaugural
address of the fourth of March next But neither in
that address, in the choice Of his cabinet do We
apprehend any additional panic among the stock
robbers to that of the second of November On the
contrary, we are rather more confident that the
tone Of the inaugural and the composition Of the
new ministry will be pacific, although firm and dig
nifed-conservative Of the national honor and good
faith yet confessedy alive to that spirit of progress
which is the spirit of the age. We have little fear
that the Monroe doctrine will be set up in Central
America or Mexico for the purpose Of tilt with
Great Britsin after the fashion Of the assault Of
Don Quixote upon the windmills; but we do sup
pose, from the chivalric sense Of the national
honor entertained by the democratic party, that
a bold and vigorous policy will be pursued in
the settlement of all our pending embarrass-
ments, both in Central America and Mexi-
CO. This policy may not admit Of joint prstecto-
rate with any European power over any of the
States of Central America; but We do not appre-
bend that it will assume for our government any
rights of control their domestic or external AZ
fairs. So with Mexico There need be, we pre-
sumo, very little apprehension that we shall be
plunged headlong into war of conquest upon the
Tehuantepec treaty, or upon the delicate questions
in issue between the Mexican government and her
European creditors, or in contravention of what
may be the imperial designs of Napoleon the Third.
But ye CONTRA should the intestine troubles Of the
Northern States of Mexico result in the establish.
ment of an Independent Northern republic, it pos
u.
not permit it to knock at door in vain "Knock,"
saith the scriptures, "knock, and the door shall be
opened unto you"
The all absorbing Cuba question is not so easily
disposed Of upon any theory basis of speculation,
however plausible. If we are not hurried into a
rupture before the close Of the present administra
ton, there is still prospect of peaceful acqusi
ton Of the island. or one thing we are well assur
ed, from various reliable sources, as we'll from
all the antecedents of Gen. Pierce he will not
countenance the movements or unlawful designs Of
the fllib9teross-he will not wink nor con-
nive at their proceedings-nor permit the
departure of any Lopez expedition fro our shores,
if al due vigilance for the preservation of
tional faith and good neighborhood can prevent It
We doubt not the new administration will regard the
acquisition Of Cuba in totally different light from
the sacrifice of the national honor, yet by the
payment of any exorbitant sum Of money. It may
possibly be reserved, even as question of expedi-
ency in any FORM to be first tried directly before
the people, IS was the annexation Of Texas In any
view, however, the appointment Of his ministers to
Spain, England, and France, in reference no. only
to Cuba, but to Mexico and Central America, will
involve responsibilities Of the highest Importance to
this nation and to all concerned.
Without possessing any extraordinary knowledge
of the designs or views Of Gen. Pierce upon either
our foreign or domestic concerns, but judging from
the elements Of information generally in tho pos
session of readers, feel, upon the whole, but
little alarm in regard to the ominoas aspect Of our
foreign affairs. There are several little clouds Of
war in the horizon but the spirit has recsiveda
wholesome check in the defeat of Gen. Scstt The
sword is not necessarily the key to exalted station
Gen. Pierce hasnothing to gain by reckless rushing
ntowar-hia party has nothing to gain by it, and
the country has everything to lose We confident
he will endeavor to preserve and promote peace with
all nations far compatible with the honor, the
rights, and the duties of the United States. But
we are equally confident that he will not shriak
from the responsibilities even of war il they shall
be forced upon the country, with the whole country
ready to spring at the summons to the rescue. Fl.
nally, the make-shft neutrality policy of the pre-
sent administration, having been most signaly re-
buksd and rejected by the people in the la.e elec-
ton, foreign policy is demanded, and may, we
think, be expe,.ed, moro in consonance with the
power and position Of these United States among
the nations of the earth, and more in keeping with
the spirit of the country and the progress Of the
age, and the great fundamental doctrine of "maui-
fest destiny"
The VOTE FOR HALE-NEw PARTIES AS nearly
rs we ascertain the aggregate vote for Hale for
President is about 10000 The vote for Van Ba.
rem, the free soil candidate in 1913, was in round
numbers, $4,000. This, mima tacie, would iudi.
cate great falling off in the abolition free soil voto
but it is not So In 1913, there vere perhaps,