The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-20

cVDpeuoQ 70 desert tnO6e clues ana mgrate en-
asasse to this island.
COMMENCEMENT OF Hosrnrr1Es BETWEEN THE
AMERICANS AND CHNEsE-The telegraphic sum-
mary Of the Americas news brings us the an
nOuncement Of the commencement of h0stilities
between the American squadron and the Chinese.
No details are given further than that, in conse-
quence Of an insult to the American flag,
the United States ship Portsmouth had bonn
baraed and destroyed a fort The next
step, we presume, will be the enforcement
ningham This announcement bears out the
view which We took of the probable result of
the English operations against Canton, the par
ticulars of which we published on Sunday. The
Chinese have pushed their insOlence and CONTEMPT
Of foreign nations SO far that no alternative is
now left but to reduce them to reason by force.
The system of exclusion by which this singular
people has hitherto succeeded in shutting out
the benefits of Western civilization, and taxing at
their pleasure the commerce of foreign nations
must now give way before the measures necessi-
tated by their tool-hardiness and Obstnacy. The
example set by the English will, no doubt be
Immediately followed up at Shanghai by the
Americans, and the French squadron will
also soon arrive, to compel the Emperor
to compliance with their demands. With Can
ton in the hands Of the British, Shanghai in DOS
session of the. Americans and French Ambas-
sador on his way to Pekin the doom of the Mant-
chou dynasty is sealed. Russia will not be
slow to avail herself of these opportunities to
carry out the designs she has long entertained
for the extension of her dominions on the other
side. Internal anarchy will do the rest, and thus
this unwieldy empire, 20 long condemned to bar
barism, will soon become profitable theatre for
Western enterprise, and secure field for the la
bors Of the Christian missionary With China
and Japan open to the commerce of the world,
here are no limits to the benefits which we may
deLA7a from these important events.
HE WASHINGTON PARTY ORGANS AND THE
PRINTING OF CONGREss.-The facts aud figures
touching the party organs and the public printing
at Washington, are strongly suggestive of two
or three things-First that the amount of the
printing plumber affords temptation to spoils-
men which is difficult to resist second, that it
furnishes basis of party and spoils corruptons
highly perDicious to honest legislation, public
morals and good government third, that the
mischievous influences Of this parceliag out
the immense printing jobs of Congress to parti-
zan tools, organs, whippers-in and managers,
demand the timely Intervention of Congress in
behalf OF pubic economy, party decency and no.
nesy and public morals and call for the establish
ment of bureau Of public printing, and
government printing Office and bindery, to be
attached to the Department of the Interior.
In another view, every honest and discrimi-
mating American, without regard to party asso-
Citations, will concede that in separating the
printing spoils at Washington from the party
press the last step will have been taken required
to relieve the party press Of the whole country
from that overshadowing spoils corruption, buff |
foonery, servility, toadysm and funkeyisrn to
Congress and the administration which are |
the distinguishing features of Washington |
pols organ. Establish a government printing |
office at Washington, and the newspapers there. |
.hus driven from their dependence on the public |
plunder to individual subscriptions and adver-
sements Of the reading and business community, |
will soon show much desired Improvement in
he tone and character Of their reading matter
There will be room for an independent newspa-
'er at Washington at once, upon the establish
nent of a government printing Office; and one
'eally Independent, bold and enterprising daily
ournal in Washington, for one session of Con.
yress, would be worth more lin the way of re-
formation among the spoilsmen, insiders and out
'ders, officials and privateers,) than all the par
y organs that have been published in the federal
,ity, from the great cleavero of Gen. Jackson down
10 the cracked fiddle and penny trumpet of poor
Pierce. Is there no man in Congress capable of |
taking up this subject and pushing it through?
For, If such a man can be found, let him do this
hing, and it will make him and immortalize him
rs among the great practical government reform
srs Of the age.
THE WAR IN CENTRAL ANERIcA.-We publish
n another column full report taken from the
Central American papers, of the operations for