The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-26


hitherto unfaithful. Whenever or wherever Ameri
can interests have been attacked or American citi-
rens injured, the New York HERALD has not been
backward in calling loudly for rsparation.
When our shipwrecked sailors were brutality robbed
and murdered by the savages of Japan, these CO.
lumns were filed with entreates to the government
toprevent recurrence ofsmilar outrages, by taking
signal vengeance on the inhu man islanders. We
sought no war with Japan; We cared not whether
our contemporaries anticipated followed US in the
cry our aim the protection of American sailors,
and, by dint of exertion, we have ut length at
taired its
Nor was it in any degree with view to . rupture
of our friendly relations with Spain that We ami
nadverted in language appropriate to the case, on
the unparalleled sutrsges committed ON the Crescent
City and the Cornelia. We viewed them merely in
the light Of insults to Dag and injuries to
commerce, and rs such, devoted oil our energies to
arousing the administration and the people to .
sense Of their duty under the circumstances
Had PREPARATION been promptly exacted from the au-
Aorities Of Cuba, and the rights ofour citizens been
energetieally enforced, the American name would
have been respected abroad, and we should have
had fewer such outrages to chronicle in future. Az
it is General Canedo has been permitted to crafty
his private whims 1t the expense Of citizens and
the principle has gone forth to the world that Anne
ricans may be inaulted with perfect impunity
Did any one seriously imagine for An instant that
we were anxious to embroil the country with Italy,
when We demonstrated against the searching Of an
American vessel for republican papers? The idea is
too absurd to need refutation. But the outrage
would never have been ventured upon had the 60.
vernnent been in the habit of protecting citizens
abroad with q strong hand; and even now, we're it
resented with appropriate vigor, American captains
in the Mediterranean would sail under very different
auspices.
More recently, have raised our voice agains the
threatened 0aohments of France in Sc Dom
go and Sonora. Does any one fancy that our mo-
tive WAS desire for war with France! Isit not
perfectly obvious that if France is once allowed to
gain foothold on this continent, war with Ea
rope is perfectly inevitable! We are ,t prepared
to give decided opinion on the real motive which
prompted the recent movements of the F.ench bat
is clear as daylight that the peace and pros pory
Of this republic depend on the Observa ion of the
Monroe doctrine, and that we cannot be too careful
in watching for the first symptom of its infraction
We sisnalized the danger and did in terms suit
cd to the emergency Shall va, for this be accused
of stirring up angr feelings towards foreign nations
to gain our private ends
The interests and safety of the United States can
not be too jealousy guarded An excessive ru-
dence cannot possibly involve any danger; while
negligence, as we have seen, is fruitful of constant
irdignities and practical injuries. If repara,ion
had been peremptorily required for the murder of
our tesmen at Japan, it is probable that the Cap.
tain General Of Cuba would have thought twice BE-
fore he insulted our flag on board the Corne.ia,
or drove the Crescent City out of port and the
Italian authorities would never have dared to search
the vessel mentioned above. If our government
were TO approximate little more closely ir their
diplomatic documents to the bold, stra Oh flor ward
language which springs to the mouth of every true
hearted American when foreign invasion is mooted.
we should not hear of Fren,hmen interfering in the
Affairs oil Mexico. siyly attempting sppro riats
one Of the richest gold fields on the continent The
surest guarantee of peace is to be constantly pre-.
pared for war
MILITARY AND oTHrR BALLS OF THE FOREIGN
POPULATION INNEw YORK One Of the most gra.
flying sights in the world, to ths philanthropst aud
the man Of enlarged mind, is the manner in which
the great mass of the citizens Of New York enjoy
Themselves at public amusements during the winter
months Among the chief sources Of recreation and
gaiety, the ball room stands conspicuous There are
none Who enjoy it with greater zest than foreign
population, particular 10 Irish aud the Germans,
who indulge in it almost excess. In their native
land they participate in the homely dancs-a jig,
reel, or hornpipe; but the idea Of performing
waltz, gaope, or q set of quaorles, never entered
the minds of the vast majority of those adopted ct
zens who may be seen nightly in the puolic ball
rooms Of this city, stripping, the light fantastic
toe" through the mszes of dances that are mono
pOlizsd in the old country by the arstocracy, and
what are called 'sthe better classes
At home, it would be considered the rashess pre-
sumption for any one who earned his bread By the
sweat of his brow to attempt TO seek admission to
ball room; and if he was fsol enough to do 30, be
would only subject himself to contemp.uou. re-
jection. But suppcsirg him admitted, he would Do
only an object Of sport and dersion He would no.
be able to dance according to fashion, for he could
not afford 10 pay for instruction in the higher mys
teries ofthis accomplishment, and he never wit
messed practical exemplifcation of it in real life
1t is true that what are designated the
middle slssses, such as shopkeepers, occasionally
enjoy pirate or invitation bail, and evening par.
ties frequently end in quadrlie But except in
very rare instances, they never drs of attending
public balls, and when they do, they are made to
feel that they barely tolerated in the circles of
their "betters." How different is the case here,
L, is quite COMMON thing to see not only trades
men, but porters and laborers--perhaps in very
handsome uniform, at balls--where the tickets cost
20, dressed respectfully, and dancing quadries and
waltzes with amazing precision Even chamber.
maids I've beg pardon" helps,') decksd with
more fnery than their mistrefses ever wore in Ger
many or lrelar d, may be seen Haunting aad whirl.
ing in the dance with all the confidence Of a con
ssicus equality, inspired by the leyelng institutions
Of this free lard.
This, no doubt, would be most exsraordina ry
spectacle to an English, Irish, German aristocrst
IL would make the upper ten Of those countries
absolutely SICK; and the Goldfish aris.ocracy Of
New York do not by any means like it, though they
cannot help themselves. But to the philosopher
and the statesman-to all who take an interest in