The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-11

American continent north Of Mexico. The Anglican
race on both sides of the Atlantic henceforth recog
Mise and act upon the principles of tree frade there
is no risk even of brief relapse into protectionist
II must not be imagined that it would have made
apy permanent or essential difference in this respect
even if the Presidential election had again fallen out
in favor of any other American whig. The limited
powers Of the chief magistrate in the republic render
Il impossible for him TO stem the national WILL
whenever there is any important principle at issue
But willing free trader will go to work more plea
sanity than q fettered pr0tectionist. The regula
tons for extending free trade between the United
States and the British American provinces will pro
gress smoothly, and consequently more speedily
under President Pierce than under President Fill
more So far there is reason for congratulation in
the triumph Of the democratic party at the late cleo
ton OF President. 1t has confirmed the ascendancy
OF rational views of commercial policy. But every.
thing human has its dubious or displeasng as well
as its fair side. No man, no set of men, are right
in all their opinions, or wrong in all their
opinions. The protectionist heresies of the Ame-
rican wings are in part compensated for by
their sound and reasonable opinions and sentiments
respecting war and military glory. On the other
hand, it is sad drawback on the free trade convic-
lions of many democrats that they are madly am
bilious of a lighting reputation for their country.
The wings have ever been the advocates OF peace
able, nonaggressve, non-intervention policy. The
democrat orators but too fond OF rounding their
periods with begerent images, and worse still,
they are as ready to strike as to speak of striking
We are reluctant to PREJUDICE the President elect,
who enjoys so fair reputation among many, not the
least intelligent and udcious of his countrymen; but
keepnp in mind the antecedents of his party, it is
impossible to steer entirely clear of misgiyings. 1t
will be great relief if the first message OF President
Perce is rational the subject of war as the last
OF President Fillmore.
The passages Of the message, indeed, which relate
IN faraip mol mr. are no n
ment. They are expressed exactly in the sense OF
the fathers of American Independence sense too
little appreciated by many of their descendants. To-
wards the close OF the message, President Fillmore
passes in review number of topics to which circum
stances have prevented his devoting so much atten
ton as he could have wished on this and former
occasions. The chapter on wars and foreign policy
is the longest and most labored OF these supplement
airy eypositions, and its spirit is, in every respect
commendable Mr.. Fillmore reminds his countrymen
of the high philosophic spirit in which the founders
OF their republic repudiated all but defensive wars
and refused to entangle themselves in the petty
dynastic intrgues and diplomacies Of old Europe.
He points to the too prevalent disposition in many
quarters to depart from this old and true faith and
warns against the silly ambition of emulating the
monarchs of the Old World in their lust OF territorial
acquisitions, and OF the exercise OF influence in the
councils of neighboring States. And in exact con-
foimity with this abstract reasoning is the tone and
temper of that part of the message which is devoted
to the foreign relations OF the United States The
the calm frmness of truly brave man, but the per-
vadng tone is pacific, and errors are freely admitted
No diplomatst of the Old World, hackneyed in the
conventonalties of his trade, could have had the
courage to confess an in the handsome manner
in which we find admission-so unpalatable to
human vanity-made with respect to the title of
Peru to the Lobos Islands by the American President.
The temper in which the fishery squabbe with Great
Britain is touched upon is admirable.
With much interest we have watched Of late, move.
ments in the United States, which seem to be sympa-
thetic OF the growth OF national party combining
some of the best features Of the old democrats on the
one hand, and Of the old wings on the other. The
great merit of the democrats has been their eXemp
ton from the hereditary conventionalities of
the old world Their minds have been more open
to new and important truths. Hence their ready
flying law reform, and the like. This exemption
from prejudice has been attended by staggering
aectaton Of contempt for all who did not participate
in their views, an undue contempt for the opinions OF
gument. From these faults the wings, as party,
have generally been exempt. They have studied
the graces and decorums after the European fashion
But, unfortunately, this assertion of a dignited
sef-respect, and this regard for the feelings OF
others has been accompanied with disposition
to adhere to old European superstitons in re-
gard Of protected trade, indirect and undue in
fuence in elections, and the like. 1t would be
proud day for America if new party, winnowing
the wheat of both the old from their cha shall
make the nutritious grain its own and it will be
proud day hereafter for President Pierce if he shall
have the discrimination and moral courage to make
the principles of such a party his rule OF action
during the time that lie fills the Office of chief mags
trate
This is a matter in which England has quite as
deep stake and interest as America 1t Is most
desirable that these two great nations should in their
dealings with each other, approximate the maXns
of their international law closely to the dictates
of natural reason and equity as possible This will
not only be conducive to their mutual interests III
fI,nir Iuftt 1.la In
take the lead in the march of civilization, and set
an example to other States. 1t ought to be the
mission of these two great nations to initiate new
and more rational policy, to shame the diplomatsts
of the Old World out of their Evolutionary trickery
their incessant nibbling at small or ilusory adj
vantages by discredtable means, by setting them a
better example.
The Last Message of President Fillmore.
From the london Times Dec. %
The message of the American President, though
partially deprived of its importance by the period of
its delivery is invested from the nature of its topics
with even unusual interest for English readers, and
exhibits, if we may be allowed the criticism, con-
siderable improvement upon the traditional charac-
ter of these documents in condensation and style.
AS Mr. Fillmore is on the eve Of quitting Office, he
cannot, Of course, communicate to the world any
authentic or circumstantial views OF policy which
will soon receive its shape from other hands, and we
must wait till next spring for an exposition OF the
principles on which the government Of the American
Union is likely to be based for four years to
Events however, have recently occurred, which at
one time threatened the relations of Great Britain
and the United States with some disturbance, and
there are other points besides which the external
policy of the Union has been regarded with sufficient
to render any official assurances on such
subjects extremely acceptable.
Three months ago we were reduced, by the recess
of Parliament and the contradictory assertions of the
press to considerable uncertainty on the
question of the North American fisheries, and it did
not receive any satisfactory calculation in the state
ment with which Parliament was favored at its open
ing in November. We can now, however, discern that
the estimate which then formed OF this transaction
was substantially correct The proceedings Of the
Derby ministry did impress the American govern
ment with the belief that Great Britain intended to
enforce for the benefit OF her colonsts those prov
sions of the treaty of 1873 against which the Amer
cans had long protested, and though this impress
sion was afterwards removed, it had certainly not
been conceived without reason. The difference Of
as respects the terms of the conven-
ton still remains unsettled but it is gratifying to
observe that the two governments no longer enter