The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-04

| for y bold, active, decisive and comprehensive
independent foreign policy, in Central America,
| in China, and throughout the world?
Or Foreign Reiatiops-Our Duty 70 China
| and the American Isthmus.
| The time is fast approaching when some Anne
rican statesman, comprehending the impulse and
the spirit Of the age, will adopt purely Ameri-
can policy In the guidance of our foreign rela-
tions, and stamp his character upon our national
career, az did those of our fathers, who, through
| their strong faith when all men doubted, have
rendered their names the glory Of their age. The
present moment seems eminertly propitious for
such an achievement Civilization, after having
lifted up the laborng millions in Europe and
America, and opened to man here vast career
of progress, is now crowding 70 the swsrming
East to do q like work there. It is the great
movement that underlies the policy Of the four
great nations which now divide the civilized world
between them
The restless tide of ouf increase is seeking the
shores Of the Pacific with wagon routes and rail-
roads across the continent dromedaries and tele-
graphs through the deserts, and railroads and
canals across the istAmus of America anywhere
from Tehuantepec to Panama. Russia is hasten
ing with hot speed her caravans across the
steppes of Tartayy and her armies through the
gates of the Caucasus France is opening pas
sage from the Mediterranean to the Rcd Sea
through the isthmus OF Suez. England is seek
ing 70 lay Der iron rails from Beyrout to the
Euplrates; her watcbful eye is on every available
point in the Maiaysian archipelago, and .Formosa
is sSout to come under her sway Russia has
already one foot AZ Pekin, and no one can tell
how short the time will be before England shall
have hers on the banks of the Yng-tze-Keang.
We believe that this event, when il does take
place, will be for the advantage Of the crowded
humanity that now dwells in China We believe
more; for We believe that ii viii be an achieve
ment mrch more easily attained than the world
has been led to suppeec The mandarin sway that
has 50 long ruled China has deceived the world "a
TO the ir,c character Of that people by stirring up
The rsbbh to insult and outrage foreigners upon
every occasion. Bet every one that has visited
thai country and sen how ready the people of
all classee are 10 ehin-ehtn with Europeans and
Americans TO bring them presents, and to know
their wishes and their ways, in perfectly well
convinced that when the wand Of the mandarin
IL once troken, a neck, submissive and peaceful
people will b. found. When civilization shall
have broaght steam 10 their rivers, and highways
TO their fertile districts, and machinery 10 in
crease , hundred fold the labor Of man. this
swsrming East viii react upon The Wet with
mighty impulse and energy.
1t is here that he first step should be taken in
our American policy. Had cur advantages been
properly improved by the Last administration, we
could today, by he development Of q single
physical truth, make q deep impression upon this
great movement toward the East II has been
| discussed In Washington what route Mr.. Reed
shall take in going 10 China, and Lord Napier
has been very dcsirous that he should 70 through
England. He viii go round the Cape of Good
Hope, and four months mus. eApse before he car
get 70 Canton. IL we had now afrst clas steam
shi, In the PaciHc-s we should hsve-he could
20 from New York to Panama In ten days. from
Panama to the Sandwich Islands In fifteen da,s.
and from there TO Canton In twenty days more
making forty-ave days from New York to Can
4 sfn. hA"n 10 W" f"'"s "~fN ~ W hCuWDfnt WON
"a 10 follow It,
We hope that the administration. in view of
these facts and Of The return Of the Dallaa-C la-
rcndoa treaty virtually rejected, will rise equal
to the occasion, and adopt al once purely Anne
rican policy. Let us have no treaties, no on.
tangiing alliances in anything; but in this great
movement Of civilization 10 the Eas, We must
take q part, whether We will or not. Not only IL
our present trade there immense. bu, il will In.
crease thousand fold Let us, then. give a
hearty cooperation in the opening Of IT, and take
care 10 secure TO ourselves that share of rs adj
yantages to which We TIRE entitled, and which our
= carer proximity to China than any other nation
will enable us to deyelope 70 much more eazily
han can any other nation.
Closely connected with this movement. and in
fact, forming part Of It, "a another: Send the
Clsyton-Bulver treaty 10 oblivion, in company
with the DallasClsrendon treaty Let M have
no entaogling alliances; aud as our path TO China,
The coming soene Of enterprise, lies through the
West, let cur government exknd the blessings of
peace ADD secure transit over the is.hmus routes