The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-03


behind the scenes. Here the pipes, the ropes,
and the wires, are pretty literally disclosed to
| the naked eye. Behold and admire!
| The Chinese Mssion-New Movement In tho
Cabinet.
Though Mr.. Walker has not yet sent in his
ultimatum on the Chinese embassy question, it
is pretty well known in official circles that the
chances Of his accepting the mission are now
| very slender. We need hardly assure our adult
readers that his refusal Of the post will not be
| grounded on the very trivial pretence set up on
his behalf by portion of the press. Mr.. Walk
| er is not man to insist on the formalities Of
punctilious etiquette; and had his private bust
ness permitted him to undertake the journey. and
remain three or four years absent from the Uni
ted States, we have very little doubt that he
would by this time have been somewhere be-
tween Southampton and Pointe des Gales, on
the overland route to China. This has unfortu-
nately not been the case; and though in view Of
the opportunities now offered to men Of energy
and talent, We con hardly feel surprised at the
course he has pursued; we commiserate the go
Ger whose ability would have done US credit
abroad. Among the host Of able men who
| would rally round the administration at the
call Of it's chief, we know Of none in whose
hands our commercial and political interests
would rest more safely than in those Of Robert
J. Walker. and our regret at the prospect ofhis
reserving his talents for his private benefit is
the greater as we can hardly exaggerate the
magnitude and Importance Of the trust to be
confded to our Chinese envoy.
We have the best reasons for believing that
very material change in the character of the
Chinese mission is in contemplation. Hitherto,
the limits of the authority Of our ENJOYS to
China have been, as is the case with our other
foreign missions the natural boundaries of the
Chinese empire. Recent events have justified
the opinion that this sphere was too circum-
scribed. The maltreatment of Mr.. Gibson by
the Dutch authorities in the East, has demon
strated the necessity Of some measures being
taken for the protection of citizens of the United
States, and American commercial interests in
that quarter Of the globe. Commodore Perry's
expedition to Japan-whatever may be its inn
mediate results-will obviously lead in the
end to such state Of things as will imperious-
ly demand the presence Of a competent Ameri-
As matters now stand, our representative in
China has no authority to extend his protec-
tion to American citizens whose rights may be
inainged either in that empire, or in the Dutch
settlements in Asia, or in any Of the States Of
the Eastern Archipelago. He may prevent the
infection of injury upon Americans at the five
ports; but beyond their precincts. he is as
powerless as any other foreigner. It has,
therefore. been wisely suggested that
instead Of a mere authority to deal
with the Chinese government, our ambas-
sador should be invested with general
power to watch over American interests on the
whole eastern coast of Asia, from Japan to
Emperor Of Japan as to the ruling powers in
China for the time being, and should be spe-
cially entrusted with the supervision of our
rights in the Dutch Asiatic ports Under him,
consular agents would discharge the details of
duty required by our vessels; and the Pacific
squadron would be placed at his command to
act as emergencies might dictate.
This is, as we understand it, the plan now
under consideration at Washington. We need
hardly say That it meets with our hearty appro-
val. We have every reason for supposing that
the case of the unfortunate American who was
so shamefullS ill-used by the Dutch, was by no
means an exceptional one. Protection TO Ame-
rican vessels and American citizens travelling
in the East is we are convinced, as much
needed on the Pacific as on the Atlantic. These
Dutchmen. who have usurped monopoly of
trade with so many fertile islands and rich terri
tories, have trampled on American interests too
long 1t is not two centuries since they insti-
gated the frightful massacre Of Christians
which took place in Japan The progress
of enlightenment, as much, we trust, as the
lack Of opportunity, has prevented a second
recourse to similar means OF securing the
predominanec Of Dutch interests. But though
contemporaneous history affords no such strik-
ing instances Of barbarity as the disaster
to which we refer. the character Of Dutch
policy has not materially varied since 1900. 1t
will stand or record as an irrefragble tcetimo-
ny to the narrow minded seldshness Of the
Dutch, that throughout the East they iabo-ed
consistently for centuries to shut out other
Christian nations from share in the trade they
carried on themselves, and fortified barbarous
governments in their ignorant policy Of exclu-
sion.
1t will be well that they share in the lesson
ua ara abont IN teach their ally of Jaaan In
his conduct. at all events. there has been no
shadow Of Implicitly while they, receiving our
ambassador at home, and refusing to recoo Mise
Americans In their foreign settlements, have
added treachery to illiberality. We shall be
pleased to learn that our future representative
has been authorized to mete out equal measure,
az well to tbep, as to all the foreign nations
inhabiting the Eastern coast Of the Asiatc con
tinent.