The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-28


carry it out?
ANOTHER GREAT STATE PAPER IN EMBRYo-
Weare informed that the protest of the English
and French Ministers near our government,
against the apprehended policy Of Russia of
engaging American vessels for privateering
operations against the commerce Of England
and France, is all the talk at Washington; but
we are also informed that the answer Of Sc
cretary Marcy to the said protest " has not yet
transpired."
We have only to say that from the gravity
Of the complaint made, from the Importance Of
the question involved, as question of national
policy and Of international law, we shall
look in due time for tremendous State paper
from Secretary Marcy on this subject. We are
in no hurry for it-those Russian privateers
are not yet on the stocks, and the Nebraska
question just now overshadows everything
else. Let our Premier take his time, consult
thoroughly the law of nations as laid down by
Vattel, Grotius, PuHendorff, and Bynkershoek,
consult our shipbuilders, especially Commodore
Vanderbilt, Of the North Star, consult ell the
Russian agents in the country, and consult
most particularly the policy of England and
France upon American affairs; and then he may
set himself down and rattle off letter which
will eclipse the Koszta letter, or cast even
those splendid circulars upon diplomatic cos
tune into the back ground. Give the Premier
time, and we shall have great document on
RussoAmerican privateering.
POLICE UNIFoRM.-Judge Roosevelt's deci-
sion, which we give in another column, settles
the question whether the police are or are
not to be uniformed. John Shea, police
man, refused to obey the orders respecting uni
form, and commended that the Commissioners
had no right to control the costume of the
police Judge Roosevelt very properly decides
that they had. Independently Of the legal rea-
sons adduced by the learned Judge in support
of his view, it must be evident to all that uni
form is likely to. effect more toward increasing
the efficiency of the police than any other re-
form that could be suggested. We may rest
assured that fewer robberies and fewer assaults
win be committed, now that no coward police
man can skulk out of view. Plain clothes were
q mask under which the grossest derelictions
duty could be committed with impunity.
The only question now remaining op, is
whether the appointment of the Chief of Police
shall rest with the Commissioners, or be trans
ferred to the Mayor and Aldermen, or finally
as some insane demagogues seem to wish, be
handed over to the grog-house politicians. The
sooner it is disposed of the better.
A CALL UPON JOHN NJ. CLAYToN.-Gener
Amos p Granger has caused letter to be pub
lished, which he has addressed to Senator Clay
ton, of Delaware, upon the Nebraska question.
General Granger asks him, What are you
about to do? Do you intend to violate a COM
pact more sacred than the constitution itselfY''
And he says, too, If not misinformed, that Mr..
Clayton is to record his vote in favor of the
Nebraska bill' And we should not be sur
prised If he did, nor astonshed il he didn't
Mr.. Clayton spoke almost by the week upon
the affairs of Central America but thus far he
has remained remarkably silent and circum-
spect upon Nebraska But the vote, in day
or two, will probably define his position. Gen.
eral Granger says the whole thing is but " o
miserable rattle for the Presidency" Perhaps
it is we shall soon see whether the ex-Secre-
tary Of State has any investment In the cap-
tai stock Of Douglas and the administration,
or otherwise. we incline to think that ever
since TIE fall Of General Tsylor's Cabinet, Mr.,