The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-04

made up. The only hope Of peaceable solution
of this Kansas imbroglio is Fremont and new
administration.
The European News-The Sound Daes-The
Privatcering Question.
The news received by the Persia will be read
with interest. It's leading feature is the an
nouncement that the question Of the Sound dues
has received partial solution by the acceptance
by the British and Prussian governments of the
Danish capitalization project, or, in other words
the redemption Of the tolls by the different mari
time nations interested in the Baltic trade. The
only obstacle that now remains to the final settle
ment Of the dispute is the stand taken by our
government against the principle of this compro-
mise, it being held that if we become parties to
it, we shall be abandoning what we have always
contended for-the entire freedom of the seas.
This is, no doubt, to certain extent, true; but
if we take into consideration the circum-
stances under which this arrangement is
sought to be effected, we may be excused
for conceding to the weakness of Denmark
some small portion of the rights which we
would be prepared to maintain inexorably
against a Power of equal magnitude to our own.
The abandonment of principle is rarely at
tended with happy results; but it becomes a
question for consideration whether the present is
not one of those cases in which we can afford to
depart from the rules which guide our national
policy There is no doubt that it is from some
such feeling that the European governments
have consented to the proposed arrangement; for,
abstractedly, they would have been perfectly
justified in putting an end to this prescrptive
wrong without granting any compensation what
ever. 1t is for ours to reflect whether the strict
rangement founded on such purely sentimen-
tai motives, or whether it considers the circum-
stances under which its concurrence is asked as
sufficient 10 guard against its being established
as a future precedent. The course taken by our
Cabinet in twice prolonging the duration of the
treaty at the request Of the Danish government,
would seem to indicate that there is disposition
rous disposition as possible, and it is to be hoped
that some arrangement viii be arrived at which
will prove mutually satisfactory.
The manner in which Mr.. Marcy's reply TO the
protocol Of the Paris Congress on privateering
has been received by the London press, is ano-
,her evidence of the great change that has been
wrought in English feeling towards this country.
Thus, whilst as might be expected, the London
Post-Lord Palmerston's organ assails this docu-
ment with bitterness, the Times and the Morning
GroHolc award it the merit of great ability. and
recommend its suggestions to the serious atten-
ton Of the British people. The latter two jour
mails recognise the fact which the former ignores.
that the arguments put forward by Mr.. Marcy in
support OF his views are as applicable to England
rs to the United States and that her interests
are as much concerned in their adoption as ours.
The growth Of the English navy, like our own.
does not keep pace with that of her mercantile
marine, and were priyateering to be abolished
without such condition as that which Mr.. Mar
cy recommends, hrge portion Of her commerce
would be left unprotected. The same may be
said OF other maritime nations; and therefore
our government is not fairly chargeahlc with the
abandonment OF general principles and purely
selfish regard for its own interests in refusing to
abolish common means Of defence without ac-
companying its extinction by this condition of
general safety.
Tic truth is that the European cabinets, con
fined as they arc to the narrow views Of their
traditional policy and jealous Of the growing
power and influence Of this country. have. in
dealing with this question, regarded II rather as
a weapon to be made use of against a powerful
rival, than a. a means Of advancing the common
interests Of mankind. Ii was reserved for an
American statesman TO point out the more gene
raj and philanihropic application that might be
made of the propositions contained in the proto-
col. The English people. whose attention is now
fastened upon the political movements of this
country, and whose growing aflini;ics Of thought
and sentiment arc leading them TO adopt most Of
the views that prevail on this side OF the water.
did not fail to recognize at once all the impor-
lance and grandeur Of Mr. Marcy's idea. They
saw that ii contained the germ of a new system
Of comfy which IL 1t did not render war impos-