Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-08
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
AMERICAN INTERESTS IN CHINA-There is
much speculation in the public mind concerning
the line of policy President Buchanan has
adopted in relation to China. The supercedure
OF DR.. Parker, the present Commissioner in
that country, who has been connected with the
American Legation there for nearly twenty
years, is familiar with the customs and the Ian
gusge of the Chinese, and the appointment in
his place Of so eminent lawyer as Mr.. Reed
have, when taken in connection with the put
ting the new frigate Minnesota in commission
in great haste to convey the new Minister to his
post of duty, given rise to the impression that
new and important line of action in Chinese
affairs had been determined upon
Yet from what we can gather of public i'm
preston at this point, we do not incline to the
belief that any departure has been resolved on
In relation to our interests in China, from the
policy laid down by President Pierce in that
connexion during the last days of his admins
tration, when the subject was brought under
his consideration, by reason of communication
from the Minister to France On that occasion,
if we are not mistaken, the United States de-
clined to enter into any alliance, direct or indi
rect, with any government, to accomplish ma
tional purposes in China. It may be that
President Buchanan has adopted different
policy; but such, we repeat, is not at present
our belief. The number of public armed YES
sells In that station have been increased, by
reason OF the fact that the persons and property
OF American citizens have been injured or
lnenaced, and probably will be again, should
war aginst China grow out of present disturb
anees, which have for their inspiring cause the
old question concerning the opium trade; but
that Circumstance is not of significance
An alliance between the United States on the
one part, and England and France on the other
Tor purpose 50 grave as the opening of the
whole Chinese Empire to free trade and social
intercourse with the civilized world, must be
something more than a simple verbal under
standing between nations. 1t must be q sol.
emn treaty authenticated by the most imposing
forms. 1t must be either an armed coalition
Tor specific objects. or merely promise on our
part to institute grand American naval and
diplomatic promenade in the waters of China
The latter is entirely within the power of the
President; but is the former! Can the Execu.
tive, without the consent of Congress, certainly
oil the Senate, enter into an alliance coalition
or understanding with either France or Great
Britain, or both, which might in certain emer-
gencies compel US to take part with those ma.
tons In war against the government and peo-
pie OF China Even if the President of the
United States had the power, would existing
facts warrant such an alliance or coalition
1t IS for these reasons, among others, that we
do not incline to the opinion that our new Min
lister to China has been or will be entrusted
with any new or special powers,-any not long
since given to our present Commissioner.-in
relation to an alliance or coalition with the Gov
eminent OF England or France
We may not inappropriately add, that it
seems to US that there should not be delay in
his departure for his post of duty; nor, unless
circumstances render it necessary, should he pro-
coed by way of England, when the route by way
OF Panama, and thence to the Sandwich Islands
and China in a Government vessel is 50 much
more expeditions. Our present trade with
Emma Is 20 immense that no delay should be
mad IN making the American Legation there.
ana the Commander Of our squadron in those
waters, acquainted with the views of the Presi
dent and his Cabinet upon so important ques
ton.
bennett, every one knows, plumes himself
amazingly on the originality of the commercial
matter published by his journal, and is as jeal-
Gus a. baroary cock at any infringement on
MS iancied rights In his paper of Tuesday
Ia<s with his usual blowing of trumpcts, and
WIN most imposing array Of capitals, he laws
'eioie the world what he calls an elaborate
anu erestins article on CHISA-its commerce
Nseuiture and productions, - oceupvino
man ave ciosely-printed columns. Well
tne article Is, certainly, :. elaborate and ;n,.-
esung and no wonder; for. by reserr;n, q, o.
oov u, 'he recent well-known Report Of ,bo
otate department on the " Comme,.;., d.
tons of the United States with an n..:.,, ia
hnd that nearly the whole of the a.. - We
are distracted from the Digest of China .,.'
every fact and almost every figure and
tence. Extended and intricate tabu,.r 80.
ments, which must have cost the sta,;,,;e.,
once an immensely Of patient toil,-interest;n,
facts and incidents which could have been de-
rived from no other possible source but the con.
fular archives of the Department of State >
everything, in short, of any interest or value in
the artiele!-its brains, its bones. its blood its
oooe ana Its breeehes'-ererything! And
YET there Is not the slightest intimation in the
article or IN the paper, that such an authority
EXISTS as Digest Of the Commercial Relations
VI Emma with the United States, or such doc
Anen' as the recent Report, Indeed. the ONLY
.on the HerGla has ecer made to that Re-
We are not mistaken, contained in a
ago 'ooa' TWO months
iHr PRooF OF TIE PUDDING IS ~ ,u,r,r
ISs--In Massachusetts, thew com. n..A -. nAi
:. -Iy 0tnef Northern State, to the point of
carrying out the doctrine of the equality of The |
races which their newspapers and law and |
clerical philanthropists'' preach so intsrm.
naoiy. There, they permit no distinction as 70
color % ss made in travelling on railroads; |