, 1853-06-04
The United States Naval Expedi-
tion to Japan.

s..
are often doubted for the reason that they
breath, unwclcome intelligence. Madame
Runner stands uuriyall.d as a notorious old
labbler, and if half th, ,riopPes she has
told, were printed and bound, vha; an i'm
mense he brary Satan might claim We
have always believed her TO be the author Of
the narrative Of Baron Mlnohausen' travels,
which no auc,ioneer ever offered without
the accompanying guarantee Of "every
word lie or no sale" She is certainly an
intolerablc nuisance, ami a. such should b
driven from the haun,s Of men at th, car
lest practicable day; but unfortunately,
whilst we forbear acting, We must bear the
infection. The consequences Of her mis-
doings are occasionally very serious, and IN
veterate joker as she is, our not being per
sonally acquainted, rendering us unable to
distinguish when she has lied from when
she has only boen "poking fun" induces us
to confess that things look unfayorably, and
exclaim mischief, thou art aloot"
The rumor from Washington city, that
President Pierce had determined to recall
the Japan squadron, whose mission is Of
such immense importance to the World and
interest to the United States, is well calcu-
lated to strike The American people with
dismay. Having great confidence in the
new Administration, we are not willing to
digest the unwolcome story. We do moi
wish to have the great object in view de-
feated by any newborn motive whatever
nor would we like 10 see the attention Of
the United States withdrawn from Japan,
for even the certainty Of successful war
with any other power on Earth. If we
have an immediate prospect of war with
any European or other Nation, let the Navy
be increased 10 meet the emergency, though
an expenditure Of twenty or fifty millions
of dollars be incurred When the object
in view will not justify us in doing so, such
a war should be avoided or else pre-consid-
cred a small potato upon which the whole
energy Of the United States need not be ex-
erled. The American Mail Steamships on
the Atlantic side, by the contracts between
their owners and the Government, may be
used as a valuable auxiliary to the Navy, and
certainly the services they can render would
more Than compensate for the small deduc-
ton made from the regular force for the Ex-
pedilion 10 Japan. We believe that if the
Expedition to Japan is not eminenly sue
cesslul, its results will at least be adyania-
geeous and gratifying on many important
accounts. Our anticipation, however, is
that, under the wise and gallant command
Of Commodore Perry, the entire purpose
will be accomplished, and a new and great
ly enlarged scope will be given to Ameri-
can commerce, in which Puget Sound will
certainly share largely. 1t is 10 be hoped
that President Pierce does not dream Of re
calling the Expedition for any reason what
ever.
To the interests Of the United States, and
especially of our Pacific Coast, the very
thought is repulsive. DOLLARS should not
be a consideration of the slightest degree.
The Expedition should be maintained at all
hazards and at every cost, and its comman-
der should have every possible encourage
ment and aid. If bis force should be deem
cd insufficient, reinforce him by ordering
the Pacific squadron and the China Seas
Surveying feet to join him. II steamers
are wanted in addition 10 those already un-
der Commodore Perry, why not call upon
the Pacific Mail Company for number OF
theirs, and pay their value The contract
provides for it. We can take no soG oil
excuse for the recall Com. Perry can BE-
reinforced heavily, at a comparatively small
increase of expense, but really 10 our minds
his present means appear adequate to the
purpose in view. Under no circumstances
should the Japan Expedition be recalled -
No reasoning or plea can be made to justify
such a stroke of positive and direct impol
icy.
In giving expression to our views on lhi-
absorbing theme, we do not in the slightest
degree depart from our strict neutrality in
politics We are neither for nor against
President Pierce. Nor are We for or against
any political party in existence Our plat
form is plain and distinct. We are for
Washington Territory, the Pacific Coast.
VIZ Rthoil across ihc Continent, the open.