The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-20

Presder tial chair under such circumstances,
for be has acted under a strong sense OF
rep and he seems to share mel.
fellow citizens. He has quietly, but practically,
awaited the consequences many of their most dan
gersus ehulliions, and in spite OF vast deal OF idle
defamation, he has creditaby adhered to the fun
damentsl presepts Of the founder Of the republic
A new President elected at the very moment when
the passion of conquest and ACKNOWLEDGMENT seems
to have possessed itself OF the nation with increasing
violence, will naturally find il more difficult to con-
troll these mischevous and unprincipled tendencies
Among other circumstances that may tend to the
gratihcalon OF these passions, it seems that tho
Navy Department under Mr. Fillmore has gradually
formed squadron Of unusual strength, now lying
ready for use in the haIbors Of the United States
The expedition against Japan is still the motive or
the pretext for the equipment Of this armament and
we have doubt that chs squadron does consist OF
line Of battle ship three four steam frigates,
and some sloops OF war; equal in their respective
kinds TO the vessels Of any navy in Europe But,
compared to the existing naval forces of some other
countries, such squadron is inconsiderabs, and we
should watch with interest amounting to wonder the
advance OF such force, numbering in all but 2l9
guns, against the unknown but not inconsderabe
the present aspect Of affairs with Spain, we are,
however, by means satisfied that japan is the
true destination of this little fleet aud it will GER
tainly be extraordinary If this important detach-
ment Of the American navy be sent the east
ern Archipelago, and entirely out of reach. at
time when the relations of the United States with
any European power unsettled or insecure.
In the wars carried on with success by this coun-
try against of the chief independent States of
Asia, such as the Chinese and Burmese empires, we
have had several peculiar advantages. We have in
the arsenas end armies of India complete basis of
operations amply provided with supplies and rein
forcements, within comparatively easy distance Of
the theatre Of war. We have explored rivers by
means of steamers which took us into the heart Of
the tnemys country and enabled US. when there, to
carry On regular military operations. Without
these OF warfare it would have been diff .ult,
perhaps impossible, 10 conquer with q handful Of
men the ris inertia Of an Asatic monarchy and
We are by means sure that the appear
ance Of an American squadron off Nam
easasi or Jeddo, will -produce more decisive
effects on the Mikado or the Kubo of Japan than
by our own forces did on the respective courts Of
-Pekin and Ava Ii we know anything at all of the
character of the japanese government, the profess
sions Of pacific intentions contained in Mr.. Fill
more's letter will be read with astonishment and
resented as an indignity; and not undeservedy so,
for did an expedition sail with more down
right intention to take by force what it cannot OBJ
tain by favor. 1t is mainly in this sense and
exhibition of proves and maritime daring that the
scheme is popular in the United States for as the
charges brought against the Japanese government
mainly by their churlsh refusal Of intercourse with
the rest Of the world, it would be hard to say on
what principle or by what right Commodore Perry
is TO be sent to instruct the Japanese in civilization
and free trade with 10-inch mortars and one 100
gun ship. The truth lie, that the American caoi-
net is prepared to DEF with the coal fields Of Japan
just rs il attempted to deal with the guano Of Lo-
Dos, and there is no defence against such policy
but the possession Of superior strength.