The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-02

1SNth, suofL hlAtttu UlOutlst
devolyed his duties upon Vice President Fillmore,
whose successor, cree, las just entered upon the
duties OF CHEF Magistrate.
The national policy Of the eleven administrations
has greatly varied and he alternate fluctuations of
the balance that has weighed gains and losses As
Apeop'e as it has been held, fist by one and then
by another of the chosen chief Representatives of our
leading psrties III politics. have produced a sanitary
excitement of the public mind, which has led to
able discussions of important topics and to an ntel-
hgent, practical acquaintance with the precepts OF
political sdom.
In $500, the motives OF party feeling between the
tederalists and democrats of that day were derived
from the real or supposed influence OF British or
French predictions. At present, our political par
ties owe Their origin 10 purely domestic causes ire
spectve Of any actual alleged foreign bias.
Our prevailing national policy has been peace with
oil other nations. We have, however, during the
past fry years been involved in several wars.
The unpFovoked and repeated injuries done by
Tripofan cruisers to our merchant ships in the
Mediterranean, led to short wsr with Tripoli, which
was declared in 1901, and terminated by peace in
1906. The annual tribute that had long been exacted
by the Barbary powers fron all Christians navigat
ing the Mediterranean sea, America the first to
refuse peremptony. And her freedom on the high
seas she boldly INDICATED and maintained.
The refusal of Great Britain to repeal her famous
Orders in Council, issued in 1906 and 1911, end to
waive her alleged right of search and mpIessment,
together with the commission of actual hostties by
British frisote ovvasiuu-0 the adoption of belige
rant measures On our part; to the building Of Mr.
Jefierson's unfortunate gunbosts to his embargo
which re ducei our exports from bundre and eight
millions in 1907, to twen ytwo and half millions in
1908, and the Imports from one hundred aud Thirty
eight milhons to fftysev millions of dollars and
then, too, his non.intercourse law in 1910. Two
years after the wanton attack made by the British
sloop-ofwar Little Belt upon the American ffigate
President, awakened general Indignation, and in
duced Mr.. Madison, in 1911, to recommend to Con-
gress that the republic should be placed in at
titude TO maintain by force its wounded honor and
essential interests War WAS declared.
Several land battles followed on our Canadian from.
tier and at the South; and naval engagements took
place on the ocean and on Lakes Erie and Cham
plain. This war; the policy of which reused to the
highest pitch OF excitement the antagonstic political
parties of the country would be painful subject of
reflection, but for some memorable and cheering
facts. The disappointment occasioned by our army
failure in the projected conquest Of Canada and the
,rtication Of their allowing the British troops TO
enter the city of Washing ton, aud there play the
part of yandsls, by becoming incendiries of the
Presidents House and the Capitol, with its national
library were amply atoned for by our signal victory
won al the battle of New Orleans and by the re-
peaied bril- ant ,hievements IF our navy. The treaty
OF Client in 1914, gladdened our peoples hearts
with peace
The lawless conduct OF the Algerines, in plumber
ing our ships in the Mediter leaB led to tde ,es
sify of an iafctIon on our plrt by which the Dey
was forced to make the anplest reputation for the
Outrag.s committed
Our Indian wars. with the Creeks, in 1874; the
Seminoles, in 1918; Black Hawk aud his TRIBE in
1882; and the Seminoles again, under their daring
chief Osceola, from 1889 to ls44 have been among
the last formidable efforts to be expected on the part
of the red men, TO Withstand the resstless march of
civilization.
Our late war with Mexico, occasoned by her re-
fusing the annexation of Texas gave occasion to the
battles Of Palo Alto Resaca de Ia Palma and Mon
ferey of Buena Vista. Sacramento, Vera Cruz, Cerro
Gordo, and Con.reras Of Moline del Rey Churubus
90, Ctepultepec, and, after a rapid succession of
splendid victories TO the occupation of the city of
Mexico by our army under General Scott. The war
terminated, by our treaty of Guadalupe H dslgo in
1S4S, and by our purchase Of New Mexico and Upper
California.
restless desire has long been felt by some OF our
citizens for the acquisition of the most alluring of the
West Indies the island of Cuba II was with the
view Of eectirg this that two expeditions under Gen.
Lopez sared for the Cut an shores. But the story OF
The Inflated enterprise is recorded in the melancholy
fate of Lopez, and of many of his comrades, cap
tured and lbcy garroted or shot by the Infatuated
Cuban authorities. As TO the destinies of Cuba,
however, the end is not yet.
The expedition which Miranda, grandson of the
Governor OF Caracas, fitted out at New York.
IN ls06, for the conquest of his country, aud
for establishing republic there was not less disas-
trous and the Mackenzie abortive enterprise to aid
the instruction in Canada in 1887 and 1888, at one
time thiea'en'd TO involve our government in war
with Crest Eraia.
Public alarm created in 1882, by fearful
symptoms Ct internal strife, produced by the MULTI
cation measures in South Carolina; and in 1872, by
DORIS rebellion in Rhode Island. But the excite
ment which these troubles created soon passed away
In the year 1904, the death of Gen. Hamilton was
occasioned by duel with Aaron Burr, then Vice
President of the United States; aud this melancholy
event bereaved the country OF one Of its brightest or
naments the devoted personal friend Of Washington
and man pre- eminently distinguished for his intel
lectual efdowments and political sagacity. Ths
story of BurTs residence on Blennerhasset island.
IN the Ohio river, Of his intrigues there and of his
alleged treason has been recounted by Witt with
glowing eloquence.
The slavery question has long been agitated among
Us With intense feeling The Fugitive Slave bill,
passed In 1850 for the protection of STAKEHOLDER
was thought by many in our free States to be uu-
constitutional bht no internal and sectional .srifcs
have arrested the progress OF our prosperity, or
quenched the spirit Of patriotism among US.
This was admirably illustrated in the years 1924
and 1925, by the memorable visit OF L ,fsyetts the
nation's guest, who received, in addition to the MS
fional present OF $500 OO0 and township OF asi ia
Florida tie more precious gift of a united aud free