The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-16
The New ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Ten Million
Fund.

nal. several weeks ago that il would be stroke
Of sound policy on the part of Congress to place
at the discretion Of Gen. Pierce, in the outset of
his administration fund of ten millions Of dol
lars in view of the various critical issues con-
nected with our foreign relations, we are glad to
see has assumed a tangible shape in the House OF
Representatives, the body to which the initiation
Of such measures properly belongs And the pro-
position ofMr Marshall, of California is the more
to the purpose, in disclosing frankly the contin-
gencies to which this money is to be applied.
His resolution declares, that it is ito meet such
exigencies as may arise out Of the momentous
subjects connected with the present state OF the
foreign relations of this country with the other
powers of the earth. so liable, on account OF
their character and complexity, to present
themselves, from hour to hour, for practical and
immediate consideration
We have heretofore briefly given the more
prominent reasons why this fund Of ten mil
lions, Qor it had better be ten than fve,) should
be voted to the discretion of Gen. Pierce; but
to the end ofconfirming the strong, and strength
ening the wavering, we seize this opportune
we think that passing glance at them will not
only convince every dispassionate reader, alive
to the honor and glory of the country, of the
safety, propriety and expediency, but of the
manifest and commanding necessity of the mea-
sure proposed.
First, then our delicate relations with Spain,
and incidentally with England and France, on
the Cuba question; our confused and embarrass-
ing relations with Mexico; our intricate, perplex-
ing, and notifying relations with England in
Central America-to say nothing of the affairs
of Hayti, or of the inviting field for an enlarged
system of commercial facilities with the States of
South Amerca-wll demand of the President
elect, from the day OF his inauguration, all the
skill, sagacity, tact, talent courage, and discre-
ton, which he can bring into his administration.
Secondly, he will be required to act without
further delay, and upon holder and more posi-
tive and decisive schedule than the milk-and-
water policy of General Taylor's cabinet and of
Mr.. President Fillmores. In the third place,
a decisive reversal of their policy in regard
to Cuba. Mexico, or Central America, may bring
us into collision with England, France, or
Spain, or with all combined.
In the meantime Congress- adjourning on
the fourth of March, does not regularly meet
again till the first Monday in December next
During this long vacuum of nine months, the
whole weight Of the government, with all its
foreign responsibilities will rest upon the Pre-
sident and his cabinet. In the absence of any
discretionary power, or discretionary means, he
may be reduced to the extremity of calling an
extra session Of Congress ; whereas, with re-
served fund of ten millions to back him, that
expensive and generally worse than useless ex-
pedient may be avoided. At all events it is
the part Of wisdom to provide as far as the
crisis requires against any probable necessity
for an extra session.
As question Of public economy, then this
discretionary fund of ten millions to the new
administration recommends itself But the
probable escape thereby, from the trouble and
expense of called session, though not mat
ter Of small Importance. is but, a second
airy consideration. The moral effect upon
the powers of Europe of the proposed
grant, is its paramount recommendation.
1t will give confidence. at once. to the
administration in proceeding to business and
confidence to the country that our national
honor, our national rights and our true position
among the nations of the earth are at length to
be affirmed and indicated On the other hand
considering the emphatic drift of the late Presi
Dental election its unmistakeable verdict and
import in reference to our foreign affairs. and
considering the palpable inclinations Of the
fierce democracy" and the manifest tendencies
and destiny of this mighty republic and the
mighty people who control it, the ten million
fund to General Pierce will have moral weight
in his foreign negotiations Of the highest value
1t may secure to us every contested point every
desirable concession, every disputed right and
every demand requisite to the full assertion Of
our rightful attitude on this continent and in
Europe. without the hazard of war. 1t is. in
fact. peace measure-a measure of financial
economy, measure of political propriety and
a measure of public conference.-the to the new
administration and due to the late expressive
and significant verdict of the American people
In conclusion, if ten millions were placed at
the disposal of Martin Van Buren,, when the
eXlgencles OF his administration were not half
so imposing or critical as those which, on its
Threshold will confront the administration Of
General Pierce, what valid objections can
now be made to a similar measure? If a dis
cretionary fund Of three millions was allowed
to Mr.. Polk, simply with reference to Mexico
(after voting him all needful supplies of men
and munitions of wary scarcely less than ten
millions now would be up to the standard of
that precedent.
We trust that the friends Of this measure will
not suffer it to lie over until want Of time to
act upon it shall lead to defeat. Let General
Pierce be inaugurated with the full endorsement
of Congress, as he has received the full endorse
ment Of the country.