The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-04

full prices. The improvement noticed 10 RIO vas
maintained.
Relations OF the United States with Europe.
All accounts from Europe concur in stating
that the belligerents positively decline the sug-
gested mediation of the United States, and re-
ply to the hints threwn out on this side, that
America has no right to interfere in the affairs
of European nations. We are in some respect
not diss atisted with this revelation OF public
feeling in Europe; "a, Of course, if we have no
right to interfere among the nations of Europe,
neither have England and France any claim to
interfere with the nations of this continent.
II is quite possible that England is right, and
that the suggestions thrown out in Congress
were prompted by more zeal than knowledge
of International comfy. But as of course in
such matters perfect reciprocity must obvious.
" exist, we trust we shall hear no more after
this of the governments Of England and France
offering their mediation or Intervention 10 any
quarrels which may arise on this side the wa
ter.
The fact is we have deep and abiding in
terest in the war now pending. True, our
fleets are not engaged and our soldiers are at
home; nor are any of our seaports in danger
of bombardment or attack. But our interests
as foreign trader are SO interviewer with those
of all other commercial nations, the Western
Powers especially, that we may be said to
have direct concern in whatever affects
the trade of Europe. Though neutral during
the war, we cannot he neutral as to its
results and consequences. In those we must
share, whatever our feelings may be- Our
ties to Europe are not dynastic, but financial
and commercial: and at the present day, these
are the ruling interests of the world. To the
two nations now engaged in the war on one side,
we send the bulk of our surplus produce-in
cotton, corn, rice tobacco, &c. Millions upon
millions Of dollars cross the ocean every year
from US to them and from them to us. Our cot
ton gives employment to the operatives Of Eng
land, and clothes them afterward. Our corn
feeds them Our tobacco is the solace of their
leisure. Without these fruits of our soil, they
could neither find work nor clothes nor luxu
ries. We receive in return chiefly maaufac-
tured goods such as we could make at home, at
cost slightly exceeding that of the European
manufactures. We receive woollens and our own
cottons and hardware and groceries from Egg
land; which, together with the money advanced
to help our enterprises Of one kind and another,
always leaves US in her debt. At the same
time, there never was period when Frankliu's
boast was truer, that he did not know Of an ar
tcle which the people Of this country could not
either do without, or make for themselves.
This then is the difference between the Unit.
ed States and Europe. Let us suppose such q
case as q rupture of amicable relations between
this country and Great Britain. The first con-
sequence would be stoppage of exports
and imports; and in this case, it could not
happen as it docs in that of Russia q. pre-
sent, that the trade interrupted by the war
would be carried on through neutral
channel. Two millions Of bales Of cotton can
not be struggled into country without de-
lection; and it would of course be our policy
to make the cessation of trade effective and
real. Well then, war declared, at ore blow all
the manufactures of England would be broug ht
to stand. Several milljons-perhaps eight
of human beings would be driven out Of work,
and thrown upon the world This is the class
which plots revolution in England; famshed
and idle, 1t could not remain quiet. At the
same time, the staple articles OF food would
rise wonderfully in price. Flour would almost
pass beyond the reach of the poor mans
purse--England's supply being shortened by
Some three hundred thousand barrels in the
course of the year. Where would this lead
What need would there be of Americ IN armies
and navies, when the lower classes of England
would he doing their work. In three months,
Great Britain could be brought to reason and
forced by her own people to make peace This
would have been the case in 1912, had there
been any considerable manufacturing p,pula-
ton at that time in England; even as IL was,
the people exerted what little power they had
against that unjust war.
In this country on the contrary, the effects
Of q suspension of trade would be less severely
felt than on the former occasions when the
same thing has occurred. OF course, at frat
the agricultural interests would suffer from
the want Of a market for their cotton, corn and
tobacco. But they have, before, been worse offin
this respect than they ever could be now with
population oftwenty millions; and the depres-
sion has never lasted over year or two. Raw
produce would fall in price, and so would land;
but at the same time manufactured articles
would be enhanced, AID mills and factories
would rise in every quarter of the country.
After few months inconvenience, the labor
which would be thrown out of employment by
the fall in agricultural produce would flock to
the mills; and would soon find there all that
any man has right to claim in this world--an
opportunity of selling his labor at a re munera-
tive price. The crisis in England would of
course produce corresponding crisis among
the foreign merchants here; but this too would
only be a nine days wonder. In the end-,f