The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-07

Il will be noticed that while these things
were going on in the East, great changes had
taken place in the West The United States
the only rival Of England on the seas--hai
acquired extensive possessions on the Pacific
From any point of view, 1t was the interest of
England to prevent the United States from
having the exclusive right of way across the
Isthnus of Tehuantepec. The great fliouster
accordingly seized an Atlantic port--San joan
and menaced the islands In the Bay of Hoadu-
ras. These islands, properly fortified, would
command the proposed ship canal on one side;
while, on the Pacific, England took possession
of Tigre Island, which would form an admi-
rable stand point for operations on the Pacific
All these possessions were taken precisely like
Alden, from nations with which England was
at peace. It was precisely the same as If
British squadron should, to-day, sail into the
harbor of New York. hoist on the Battery the
flag that has been wet with innocent blood
during ten centuries. and take possession of
New York city in the name Of Victoria the
First.
After due consideration of the above facts,
can any one doubt this proposition: that had
England been placed in the position Of the
United States, with reference to Canada, Cuba,
Mexico and Central America, would not ali
those territories have been acquired by the
first named Power long ago? The cruelty, bar
barity, treachery and hypocrisy with which Eng
land has prosecuted her wars of conquest have
made the very name Of Briton execrated in
every part Of the world. The narratives Of
British warfare in India are filed with in
stances of barbarity previously unknown in
the annals Of civilized or even heather carn-
paigns. 1t is not such government as that Of
the British Empire which should accuse the
United States Of flibustering Il
We should be the last to disparage the abili-
ty Of British statesmen. Since William the
Thirds time, no English monarch has been
anything more than puppet in the hands Of
| his Cabinet. The men who have been the first
diplomatists in Europe have been bred in Down.
| ing street. Compared with them, the men Of
Washington have been babes in politics; and
we challenge proof to the contrary when we
! say that in o red tape warfare with England
| the United States has always come out second
| best In 18l2-l5 we went to war about free
trade and sailors rights; we were victorious
on sea and land; the sailors of Aboukir and Ira
falgar quailed before the fishermen Of Marble
head-the pennant Of Dacres was struck to
| aHull- the veterans of Badajoz and Salamanca
retreated before Kentucky rifles but the treaty
of Client left free trade and sailors rights
| precisely where they were before the war. So
| if we should 60 to war about the Clayton Bull
! wer treaty, which is only an agreement that
neither government shall exercise authority
! over any canal, railway or transit route
across the Isthmus of Panama, we might
! glory, and raise large crop of military aspi-
ren+s 70. tho Presidency, but the real matter
in dispute would be in precisely the same con-
dition that Bulwer and Clayton left it-that
is, waived altogether. Great Britain has, as
we have shown, filibustered in Central Ameri-
CO, and the only way by which her growing
influence can be neutralized is by the infusion
Of vigorous, spirited, energetic, peaceable
North American population. The treaty is
not matter of the slightest possible conse-
quence until ship canal shall have Deen dug.
By picking out bits here and there, it can be
construed in any manner that skilful casuist
thinks best suited to his ends.
The opportunity now offered to carry out
this line Of policy is golden one. The Rus
sian war is an American peace. The schemes
Of England on this continent have been mo-
mentarily arrested by the improbable and dis
| astrous contest she is now carrying on, osten-
sibly to protect the Sublime Porte, but really
to secure the safety Of her East India posses
sions which have long been menaced by Rus
STA. The British bought Hindostan with blood,
and blood must constantly flow to maintain
English supremacy in the East. 1t is just
| punishment for British cruelties inflicted upon
| simple, Ignorant, confding, hospitable peo-
pie. And it Is the surest guarantee for our
safety. 1t is, then, no cause of surprise that
| the majority of the American people should
| sympathize with Russia, or remain perfectly
| neutral. The Russians have been defendin !,
their own homes, and sympathy is naturally
| excited for nation in such a position. And
the real cause of the war is very we'll known,
| notwithstanding all the cant Of Downing
| street, and the gasconade of Printing House
square. We all know that the contest grows
| out of filibustering; that it's object is TO pro-
tect stolen territory, and to steal more II pos
sibie. Should peace be the result of the pre-
sent negotiations, the danger of war between
England and the United States would be i'm
minent, not because there is anything to g
| to war for, but because the administration
being utterly befogged, would resort to the
last and worst remedy of incompetent states.
| men.
| 1t is the cant Of certain wise men at Wash
ington to make breeze just before every Pre-
sidential election, about our relations with
| England. The subject is inexhaustible The
idea Of o wsr with England j. always popular
| with the mass. Mr.. Pierce threw ii into the
Senate, and the Senators were not slow Is
i =. a n