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

was steady, but quiet Freights easier for 10
Liverpool while other articles unchanged, with
fair amount Of engagements.
What are the United States to do with China:
The question to what extent this country is to
take part in the pending troubles in China is one
which has exercised the attention of the Cabinet
to very marked extent during the past week,
without arriving at any particular solution 1t is
understood that Great Britain and France desire
us to join in species of tripartite treaty with
them for The prosecution of general indictment
against the Chinese for unhandsome behavior to
foreigners generally, and systematic hindrance
of commerce and civilization. But to do this
conflicts directly with the traditional policy Of
the republic which warns us against Hlch al
liances with foreign Powers if we yield to the
requests of the allies, it must be under pressure
of new and extraordinary circumstances, and in
view Of new and very palpable advantages to be
gained. Whether a case has been made out, set
ting forth these new and extraordinary gains and
circumstances, the public of this country are not
yet informed
The case affords a new and striking illustration
of the advantage Of good character. Were the
past records of British power in Asia as clear
and spotless as they might be- the feeling of this
country in favor Of coercing China would be so
strong that no administration could resist it.
Unfortunately, general impression prevails
that the prime motive Of British policy in the
East has invariably been selfinterest; and that
this has been gratifed at any sacrifice
Of Justice. truth, right, reason and hal
manity. Hence pretty general desire
for further and more unprejudiced information
from China before we allow the English to tow
us into a war at their skirts. The American
people have no notion of going to war with the
Chinese merely in order to add power or revenue
Or territory to the East India Company; and
while they see with anger the conduct of the
populace of Canton, and with indignation the |
narrow minded antipatby to foreigners and to
foreign civilization displayed by the government
Of Pekin, and the Chinese nation generally, they
desire, before they 60 out of their way to act
upon these premises, to know precisely what the
Chinese mean, what they intend, and what are
he intentions of Great Britain or the East India
Company in the event Of general humiliation
of China in the war now commencing. If the
pending war is to be prosecuted until the Chinese
government consents to legalise the traffic in
opium, so that the Honorable East India Com
pany shall realise not five but fifty millions ster
ling per anRum for destroying the souls and
bodies Of the people of the Chinese empire, then
it is the mind OF the people Of the United States
that they will not have hand or part in tina:
n ha ~ tha pritioh
government to prosecute the war with view 10
treat this or that Chinese province as the govern
ment of India treated the kingdom Of Dude only
last year, in that case also, the American people
would have no wish to participate in the con-
test Nor could the government of this country
take an active part in the fray unless afironts
had been offered to citizens Of the United States,
or their rights assailed in some clear and unpro-
voked manner. We could not fight the Chinese
TO avenge the wrongs Of Englishmen.
On this basis, then, has the Chinese question
been discussed by the Cabinet; by the next mail,
Lord Napier and NJ. de Sartiges will probably be
able to send to their respective governments
some authentic intimation OF the course which
the United States may deem Ct TO pursue.
They may rest assured that, whatever be the
result Of the pending deliberations, the conclu-
sion arrived at will be predicated on reasons Of
American policy, without reference 10 foreign
governments A story has been got up in refe-
renee to Russian interference in China, and to
the active part taken by Mr. Stoeckl, the new
Russian Minister, in order to defeat the endea-
vors of Lord Napier and N. de Sartigea We
suspect that Mr. Stoeckl finds his time 30 fully
occupied with his own business that he NEEDLES
but little with other peoples: and we DOUBT
much whether Russia will put herself much out
Of the way 70 sustain government from which
she has never received any kindness, which can
never be Of the least use 10 her, and which she
could not save from destruction if she put her
whole soul In the work. Tbese tales are the fic-
ton of every day life.
1t may likewise be assumed, a. q point estab-
lished, that whatever course the administration
resolves to pursue. no participation with the ma
ritime Powers could under any circumstances
take place before the meeting OF Congress The
declaration and making Of war is matter re-
seIved TO Congress by the constitution the Exc
cutive can only defend the life and property Of
citizens If these are attacked, Mr.. Buchanan
will protect them; he can eend first class man
with large feet TO the China seas; but for any
thing more, ur European friends must wait til
ecember.
RADICAL REVOLUTION IN THE CRY GOVERN
ENT.-The new charter for this city has passed
the Assembly, with the Metropolitan Police bill,
or1 oil tlo os~