Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21
The limited States and .Ianan.

rom cerUarI 1avrluUUrUuS -v1Ir0r1 vuU- NY ono
organ Of the administration at Washington, and
from the unusual activity observable in our navy
yards, we are convinced that high-handed out
rage is contemplated by the President on
harmless aud semi -barbarous people. The Chi
nese war, which drew down the united censure of
Christendom upon England, is to be re-enacted.
The right of nation to govern itself without
foreign intervention, is about to be violently and
uniustifably usurped by p ople who, heretofore,
in practice as in theory, have dsclaimed psrtici-
patton in all uncourteous piratical measures
We caonot pronounce the fitting out of an armed
force for the express purpose of compelling a dis
t mt and indef endent race to trade with us, by
anv other name. The declaration of the or
gam that the feet now equippng is to anchor
in the harbor of Jeddo and force official rela-
tions'' with the government of japan, is an act
of usurpation on the part of the President and
his cabinet for which they have no warrant in
the national charter. It is tantamount to dec
laration of war, and war can only be declared by
Congress- If the Senate and House have secret
ly determined, as in the case Of the late suspen-
sion of relations with England, to assume hos
tile attitude towards the Japanese, their action
has not yet transpired.
We cannot understand why we should thus
needlessly run into expense to advantage certain
ambitious traders. If the objects of this expedi-
tion be as stated by the Washington journal, and
if thew carriad out conlly as thew have haAn
conceived and partially projected, we shall arrive
at point in our national history which may
sanction the usurpation of all constitutional
checks and powers vested in the legislative au-
shortly of the republic Forcibly invading the
shores of recognized power, against their re-
monstrar ces, is an outrage of which we can only
conceive outlaws capable. A Christian republic
whose foreign policy is declared to be respect for
the laws and governments of nations, to thus, in
time of peace, deliberately send an armed force,
cannot be 90 generally reprehended not only by
the people under this government, but by the
respectOrs of nationality throughout the world.
Our government is not apt to undertake an ex-
pedition such as this is given out to be, without
good and sufficient cause, and we trust such ex-
PLANTATION will soon.be made as shall set all spec
ulation as to the supposed outrage, aside. Let
us not in thought even be considered guilty of SO
fagrant and unjustifable an invasion as this cru
sade is now very generally said will be.
That relations of the most amicable nature
may by some fair means be instituted between
this government and Japan, so that we may by
honorable means be enabled to open trade with
the inhabitants of the Indian Islands, is general
ly hoped by our people. They are rich, and
have wares we would gladly purchase, and for
which we would give fair equivalents That a
commerce advantageous to both nations might
be opened, we believe. We doubt, however, if
the exhibition of an armed force anchored in the
ha bors of Japan, will not fail of the desired effect
Instead of securing their goodwill by intimida-
tion, we are more likely to excite their hatred /;
and once that passion is engendered, we cannot
hope to render permanent our relations. If we
force them to open their ports to the world, we
shall only fight to benefit others. Those govern
ments not directly participating nor appearing
to countenance this marauding expedition, will
quietly step in and take out of our hands trade
which the treasure of our people may hardly be
expended in the attempt to secure. The Chi
nese have not forgotten England; not is it prob
able the Japanese will forget America, if the
contaminated outrape is cons17mated