The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-22

Congress be 20 distinctly expressed, that no
court, constituted to administefitd laws, shall
have pretext for doubling. Let the people
look to it, and see that their REPRESENTATIVES do
not betrGy the cause Of Free Institutions. We
tell them there is danger, great danger, to be dp-
pretended from an administration coming into
power on such principles, under such auspices,
upon such pledges, as charaeterise has Adminis-
tration"
Soon after our return from Europe, we again
brought the subject to the notice of our read
ers, presented to them MIR. Atchison's declara-
ton that he would never vote to organize a
Territory in Nebraska, from which slavehod-
ers should be excluded, and expressed the opin-
ion that the subject would constitute one of the
great questions of this Congress,
Mr.. Kephart is of course at perfect liberty to
commend his own clearsightedness, but in view
of the facts just submitted, he will see that he
has made great mistake in imputing false
confidence and blindness to all others.
THE JAPAN EXPEDITION, AN ITS RESULTS
One of the most crcditable acts of the last
Administration was sending expedition to
Japan, to effect, if possible, opening of its
ports and bring it into com iunication with
the Christian world. So far 8 we can see the
instructions under which it proceeded were iu-
dcious, and the manner in waich it was con-
Quoted by the commanding officer was, on the
whole, discreet and praiseworthy. To us at
this distance, and accustomed only to the mat
ter-offact ways of solid civilization, some of
the movements of Commodore Perry among
the Japanese may appear oSerstrained and
Vainglorious, but we must not forget that he
had to deal with People comparatively rude
and more accessible through their senses and
imaginations, than an enlightened reason. At
all events, the results of the expedition are bet
ter than we had reason to expect
Some time since, the Richnisnd (Va.) Engui-
rer, whose spirit of enterprise extends just SO
far as the necessities of Slavery, and no fur
Their, treated the expedition asa its objects with
great contempt.
"Ab.urd as was the dispai h of squadron
to the antipodes at this partY elar juncture on
an abortive if not Illicit emf rprise, the origi-
nal,stupidity of the design hi lost nothing in
the execution In his inteI sourse with the
japanese authorities, Comm dore Perry dis
played the vanity and insolef &c characteristic
of his nature, and was most 8 iccessful in exert
ing his extraordinary talent Cor making him
self dissgreeable. 1t is quite amusing to con-
template his pretentious self-ponceit and impe-
rial airs, in contrast with til fright and hu-
mility of the Japanese But, with all his DEM
onstrations of authority and power, he could
accomplish nothing O7eraw.d by his menaces,
the Japanese assembled apd negotiated, but
conceded only shadows The Russian Admiral
was more successful, and in che absence of the
formal and fussy Perry persuaded the Govern
ment of Japan to abandon its exclusive and in
hospitable policy towards foreign nations.
Nevertheless, on his retur1 the Commodore
will doubtless adorn the walls Of the Navy De-
partment with lively illusb Ations of his ex-
PLOTS in the waters of Japa "a fictitious dis
play of heroism, in which ht Is won't to indulge
his vanity.
"The CORE spondence clNes with letter
from Secretary Dobbin, whjNh implying a re-
buke of tho staggering co'Sduct of the Com
modOre, suggests the propI tety of something
less of violence in his interc turse with the ia
panose authorities. 1t is plnnifest from the
tenor of Dir. Dobbin's disps ch, that the pres
ent Administration, though disposed to prose
cute it to successful issue, do not regard the
expedition with any peculiS favor, nor antici-
pate from it any very bril- ant result. They
wisely give directions for tho return Of the
squadron, at the earliest pc, od after the Com
modore has made another Experiment. on the
timid court Of Jeddo."
The best comment upon TITS TRADE, is the in
telligence which has just reached this country
from China, that the Russian Admiral has not
been successful, while the American Commo-
dore has; that his negotiations have resulted
in opening free intercourse between the two
countries, to be carried or through two ports
in Japan + in securing sipslations for coal
depot, and regular suppl3of coal for the Uni
ted States steamers, and $40 for kind treat
ment, and an abundant 81 9ply of water and
provisions for all Americas who may visit any
part of the Japanese coaSS The Commodore
showed his good sense by proposing an extern
sion of these privileges to III other nations, but
the Japanese Commissioned 'demurred, express
ing, however, their wiliinf sess to make sepa-
rate treaties on similar Il Ems with any other
nations that might seek .hem in a peaceful
manner 1t is added thrt Commodore Perry
intends to remain two or three months on the
Japanese coast, for the HearpOse, We presume,
of seeing that there shall be no failure in the
arrangement agreed upof
A correspondent of the New York CONNER
ciaI enumerates the follow ,ng articles as likely
to be in demand in Japan;
"Woolens Of every de eription-preferable
cOlors red, blue, and yePsw. Hardwaro-iu-
GLIDING tools of all kinds, tin plates, stores, sc.
Glassware-window plats, and cut. Printed
cottons, of fine texture AID high colors; car
peting, heavy cotton goG.a, fire arms, clocks,
leather of bright colors, 50 From the Japan
ese we can procure silveI~gold, and copper of
unusual purity; tea and dk-the latter, how
ever, Of an inferior qualie
On the whole, it wou seem that COmmo-
dore Perry and his Office have been at least
Gs proftably employed a. if they had been en-
gagged in catching run way slaves on the
Home Station, or in dane ng attendance at the
Courts Of petty Despotist along the shores Of
the Mediterranean. Thi e is no harm in Civ
ing our navy something spectacle and useful
TO do, in the absence Of NY immediate neoes-
sity for blockade Of CG Ia.
DECISION OF j OGE SMITH.