The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-20

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For the Union.
The Proposed Expsdlaoa 20 japan.
We notice in many Of the communications which are
made from this place 10 the public press very extrava
CANT statements in respect to the objects which may be
supposed 10 fall within the observation Of squadron
in the East Indies One would suppose. from the mpor
lance attached to the subject that we are for the first
time in our history about send to those distant
squadron, and that the consequences may be
other than those OF benefit TO commercial in
tees We not advised particularly OF the considera
tons which may induce the government at this moment
such expedition; but assuming the accounts on
the subject which we published to be true, and the
description of the vessels which compose the fleet
be accurately gwen there appears to nothing alarm
ing or questionable 10 the facts.
Commodore Biddles fleet, the occasion OF his vstto
Japan in 1885, had hundred and fourteen guns oil large
calibre The feet to be placed under the command OF
Commodore Perry will not understand, exceed seven.
ty guns but the number OF will be about the same
being composed. precisely customary in the navy to
the proper efficiency TO such boatguns as are al
lowed Of late to all vessels prepared for service.
With respect to the object OF the government in adding
two steamers and storeshp TO the force already in the
China seas TO- suppose to cover greater extent Oh
cruising ground so better knowledge OF the
ports on the coast OF the Corea, the Yellow Sea- and
Japan hitherto rarely visited. The very thing to be
avoided is any act which excite the apprehension OF
hostility 10 the natives who inhabt these coasts, at the
same time that they may be conciiated by kind and re-
spectfu attentions But to do this, all who have any
knowledge Of the Japanese must see the policy, II not
the necessity of displaying such force AZ may repe
any assault which their prejudces may prompt Repre-
sensations OF friendship the part OF our government
and people will have effect such country il they
are not attended by such circumstances will leave no
doubt OF our greatness and strength. We desire on
those distant ports Of refuge and retreshmenwe
desire also to explore and open channels OF trade in
the Pacific, to extend the commerce that great
ocean between country and northern China, and es
pecally between California and the rich countries of the
East Indies II this laudable object be promoted by
any means which will the strange prejudices Of
those distant people. certainly no reasonable expense
should be spared in doing but no one can suppose
that efforts of this kind be successful without proper
display OF the force which efectually shield our
overtures from the savage vengeance Of people who
may fail to do justice TO our motives
II is well known that the shpwrecked seamen on the
cost OF Japan aesubected TO wanton and atrocous cruel
ties. far exceeding those once inflicted by the Agernes
and the Moors To put end to this state of things is
the duty not less Of the United States than Of all other
civilized countes and il is idle to suppose that IL
be tolerated that the tribute levied by the pirates
of the Mediterranean could be submitted to by Great
Britain and France. Steam navigation. and the wants of
commerce in the Japan seas will make the revou
ton there that has taken place elsewhere. Whatever
we may say OF the rights of those people TO surround
themselves with walls, TO hold no intercourse with
foreigners and punish enemies all those who may
be cast by the providence OF God on their Shores
know that such preudices cannot be maintained when
they the Of positive injury The same law OF
civilization that has compelled the red OF our forests
to retire before the superior hardhood and enterprise oil
pioneers, will require the people Of the Japanese
empire to abandon their Algerine cruelty.
In view OF such considerations, il strikes that the
proposed expedition promises to be Of great public
benefits and have hesated, therefore, speak OF
ii in OF commentator, without any reference 10
the fact that il 10 set foot by wing administration
The main point is that it should be deprived OF nothing
that is material to it success-that should be
strong enough in its equipment to repel in becoming
manner any aggression which may provoke from peo
pie ready insult the flag of the United States when
they can do 20 with mpunity.
The idea that few vessels of war, mounting about
seventy guns. and possessing not exceeding in
number the rank and file OF a regiment land, to at
tack empire OF forty millions, which has army OF
about half million, is too peposerous to be entertained
and yet would that such idea has been the
minds OF many OF those who have spoken of this exped
ton warlike one.
These observations have been suggested TO by the
extHvagant statements which have noticed in con-
nexion with the preparations that said TO be making
for sending the expedition to Japan. We know nothing
OF the views Of the administration the subject but,
seeing that there is in the growth OF trade in the
Pacific, and the great extension OF interests in Cali
forna, motive for action have felt that the occasion
which might well be seized TO open markets
ia the East Indies. and 10 gain for
emption from the evils attending the absence OF ports
for the refreshment OF vessels and the protection OF
our unfortunate seamen.