The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-28

tile power have at hand the opinion OF an
American jarist, who, whatever ne may know Of in
transitional law, must certainly have had an oppor-
tunity of attentvely Weighing the opinions OF the
American press Of estimating the value Of speeches
made at Washington; and, equally with Mr.. Golden,
the United States Minister in London, and our For.
eign Office" in 1864. What is the motive stated
by Mr.. w. b. Lawrence formerly Charge d. Anaires
Of the United States at London. in bis edition of
"Wbeatons Elements OF International Law, pub
lished in March, 1867 Speaking Of the English
and French codes of maritime law, he says:-
Recurring their respective sjssems. - understood
e ons
the largest military marine in the world, and the other
savy only inferior 70 that OF ts ally were . co bese
ritims law neutral commerce must altogether cease.
Neuual properly which EngAnd would not condemn for
the FreDoh cruiser; while the neutral ship whose ag
proecon against France would be subject 70 be searched
p ss for s
voyage which any allowance, either - freight or
eoupromss Of principles vas NECESSARY 70 the co opera
ton of the Daves Of the allies; and this instead Of fur
subjects neuras has besa effected BY the sbandonment
OF the obnoxious pretensops OF England, a. consder
soa for obtaining from France additional &C noessous on
her part
The motive, therefore, was to render uniform the
maritime codes of two belligerents; and the expert
ment having been successfully though temporarily,
tried, the Congress at Paris has permanently-so
for as its solemn declaration amounts 10 act OF
international egslation-incorporate the same re-
laxations in the general public law Of Europe not,
we may add, as cowardly surrender OF undoubted
belligerent rights to the dictaton Of the American
people; but, FIRST act Of necessity arising from
our alliance with France; and. secondly, as mea-
sure proved by experience to be for the benefit of
the commerce Of the world. When Mr.. Golden next
writes on maritime law, he should be little more
careful as to his facts.
Agitation.
From the London Post. Dec
In matters political, as well meteorological, a
calm often succeeds storm THIS s emp6aflcaily
the case IN the United States at the present moment
The most rabid partisans are exhausted by their
own violence, the good sense of the American peo-
pie leads the minority to accept the pronounced will
present the majority not dsposed to press their
victory beyond its legitimate consequences. Mr..
Buchanan win have fair chance; and IL Is well
that he should for his will be the most momentous
Presidency since the days Of Washington.
Indeed, 20 fully convinced are the republi.
cans that he ought to have fair trial, that their
good opinion of him has somewhat outrun actual
facts. They have circulated mmors that he intends
to bring Kansas into the Union as free State.
though, as the decision rests with Congrees-whicn
has already repealed the Missouri Compromise and
passed the Nebraska Active do not see clearly how
he has the power. IN one respect ne can further II,
undoubtedly, by doing what his predecessor culpably
neglected and that Is. by protecting the settlers
sganst the violence ot tin Missouri border ruiians.
BY the report Of the committee appointed by the
House OF Representatives il appears that OF the
bona fds settlers men who really mean 70 make the
State their permanent residence-fourfitths are OPP
posed TO the introduction Of slavery and II such an
overwhelming majority really exists, IS In mere ns
stitution would be IN inevitable consequence.
The jealous criticism with which every act OF
Mr. Buchanan will be regarded by the Northern
States is perhaps the best security that his course
win be marked by prudence and forbearance. His
victory is one Of ation and zeal against supe
ror numbers, greater wealth, loftier intellect and
better cause. lie has little reason TO adopt measures
which may create equal organization and zeal In
the stronger party. Walker is 10 him a stumbling
block: for his success, his completed surpaton and
his demand that Nicaragua should be admitted into
the Union as q slave State-the one following the
other in nm unbroken chain Of cause and effect and
10 all appearance near at band-would merely pro-
woke question which would certainly ronse the in
dgnant jealousy, possibly the dormant energies, OF
up the uneasiness Of the free States about Cuba,
and he viii not encourage filibustering In the
reckless manner practised py MT. Pierce IN
deed, II is more than probable that his own sup
portes win see the necessity Of allowing him 10
administer his Office for the general good OF the
United States, and not for the partial benefit OF
the smaller section. The unexpected display Of
strength by the Northern States will be . warning
to all Of the democratic party capable OF taking
warning, that they must not presume too much; or,
more properly that their position is critical in the
extreme No defeated candidate ever polled so
large q minority as Colonel Fremont, and there are
tho-e who say that he outnumbered his opponent
Il, must be remembered that the Southern States
voted In right OF their slsves-the three millions
counting therefore in the general vote a. equivalent
70 I 500 900 freemen, and consequently to above
twenty votes In Congress, which We may presume
would have been given the contrary way had their
rieht owners been permitted 10 record them freely.
The union amongst shareholders Of all classes, the
lukewarmness Of many protesting free soilers, the
long and elaborate organization and association the
complete suppression Of the expression OF opinion
in the South. in which no contest took place at ALL
and the energetic action Of the poor whites Of the
slsye States Who have occupied the disputed terri
tory and probably win not suffer themselves TO be
dispossed without further struggle-aD contributed
most largely 10 Mr.. Buchanans success; and yet
had the men of Pennsylvania but acted up 20 the
principles Of their forefsthers, and the State OF I'LL
nois not contrary 10 expectation, cast ie weight
into the democratic scse-the return, instead OF
standing Buchanan ia, fremont ia, woulc, by
the transference Of - votes, have stood, Fremont
l52, Buchanan 13G-to say nothing OF the votes
thrown away upon Fillmore; state OF things too
ticksh not 70 suggest caution TO all but the most
OF the silver bludreons smenable 70 the dictates OF
common sense any more than he was TO those OF
gentlemanlv feeling; bot Mr.. Brooks, and his most
ierocious supporters, win find nov that many who
were with them before are againss them now; tha'
those who zee how the coursc recently pursued by
the advocates Of the extension Of slavery upon this
great and, in fact, vital question, has already
converted the easy triumph q four years Lack nck
has iust passed under our eyes. win also Sc that
continuance in that course wi NJ the next election,
throw the power Of the State into the hands OF their
opponents- Had the slave owning States been con,
tent TO retain their peculiar institutions and peculiar
property the North would have probably had no
disposition, and undoubtedly no ttlc TO interfere;
for the abolitionist party, though eager enough,
been now for many years perfanacously aggressive,
and men who would willingly have preserved peace,
have been against their viii placed the defensive
Eighty years ago slavery existed in but few states
10 any very considerable extent. u was already de-
funct in some, II was dwindng away In others;
most people supposed II was on the point OF dying
ont in sll--bul the face of Affairs v changed now.
u is rampaD'. In its own territories, invasive N
IL Il ~