The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-15

~ Tuauvs UenAnsssial Relasssns bstwesn
che United States and Asla.
We present our readers to-day, some selections
from the report Of Mr.. Balester, . gentleman who
was sent out to Cochin China and Siam, for the
purpose Of endeayoring to open commercial inter
course with those semi-barbarous nations, which
abound in mercantile wealth. The exclusiveness Of
the government, and the degradation and ignorance
Of the people, were insuperable obstacles to even
remote prospect Of commercial relations with any
civilized nation.
In viewing this subject, we must consider the
positive and relative positions Of the eastern part Of
the Asiatic territories and the United States; and
il must be remembered that this matter presents .
very different and interesting aspect than pre-
yious to the late extraordinary and rapid population
Of California, and the extending influence which is
peryading, and will pervade, that seaboard Of the
Pacific. This great ocean would appear to become
the Mediterranean Of modern times. vast sea,
studded with fertile islands, with good harbors and
favorable sailing Winds is beautifully adapted for
"the liquid road between this country and wealthy
Asia. To prophesy the ultimate civilization of that
contnent-which may be said TO have been
begun by England in Hindostan and China
cannot be thought chimercal, nor that such
civilization viii and must, of necessity, be pro-
mulgated by commercial genius, and intercourse
with enlightened nations. In ancient and in modern
times the countries of Asia have been pre- eminent
in furnishing the inhabitants Of roughcr climes with
most Of the necessities Injuries, and splcndor ap-
pertaining to civilized life. She has been the Mcso-
potamia Of the world, from the foundation Of the
garden Of Edcn and the first successful cultivation
of apples down to the present time. Greece and
Rome, in the height Of their grandeur, thrsted for
her territory and riches and carried their conquests
as far as practicable. England derives the chief
source Of her greatness-at the bottom Of which
is her weahh-from her vast India possessions, Of
which Bonaparte was SO well aware when he planned
the subjugation Of Egypt. Her maritime power,
resulting in great degree from her insuar position,
her enterprise, her comparative internal freedom,
the absence Of neghboring broils, and her perse-
veTing Saxon spirit, obtained her these and other
valuable possessions.
Next to her may be ranked Holland, .ea-board
nation, though Of stolid, yet Of free and bold ge
MUS and next Spain and Portugal, iron bound, sr-
perstitious, and weak. Civilized colonization and
universal commercial intercourse, have yet to be
developed. With insignificant exceptions, England
has had it all her own way in Asia, and ndepen-
IDENTIFY has been the greatest pirate on record, the
Cuban fillibmstrs notwithstanding. Other nations,
through the force Of various circumstances, have
been prevented or have neglected to enrich them
selves from the Eastern mines OF commercial wealth
Does the United States possess any barrier to an
extended Asiatic intercourse! Just the contrary;
glance at precedent, at her natural position on the
face of the globe and in the scale of nations at her
urcaent and fnture mower abaye NIL nj tho nm
surpassable commercial genius Of her people, de-
monstratcs as quick as the thought can be con-
ccived that she is destined to beif not the pesscs
sor of the eastern part Of Asia and the islands of
the Pacifc-thc principal shareholder in the com
merce with that part Of the world. q natural and
necessary consequence.
This is stupendous age, and the mind Of the
enlightened world must keep pace and be on
equality with it. A greater momen-
tous period has not occurred. Tho battle-felds of
| Alexander, of Hannibal, and Of Caesar are but
mmierics when compared with it. 1t is longer
an affair between nation and nation hut between
continent and continent, between civilization and
enlightenment on the one hand, and darkness and
degradation on the other Commercial intercourse
and political and social freedom point in the
direction. England holds Hindostan by means Of
inc East Inula Company, ana extracts Incompsrany
more wealth from her possessions than she would
under treaties from her native princes She is her
own landlord She got Hong Kong into her clutches
by combination Of opium and honor British
"honor" is, at times, both the means and the OBJ
staclc to her extending her territorial influence.
This il a narrow policy.
To say with what feelings VIC regard the Japan
expedition would be superhuous. For tho United
States has been reserved the opening Of and The
lions share Of the commerce with a considerable
part Of Asia. There ia q wide field, and good
landmark It may be that wha, Ilndostan and
Australia TO England the eastern portion Of Asia
and Polynesia will be to the United States CON
trast not more unlikely than inappropriate.
We shall watch with interest the operations Of the
Japan expedition, and shall gather from them many
valuable results and much experience.