The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-09-29

AN tAptuitiOA INV btmS htlcu out asoiho,
Paraguay is one of the most important naval
demonstrations that has ever been made by this
country; ard it will have as great and lasting
an effect upon the measure Of our influence
abroad as any that has followed from the past
achievements Of our gallant little navy
Our former naval expeditions against foreign
Powers have been few in number, but they
have produced marked effect everywhere
in our favor. Hardly had We sprung into
existence as a nation, when the Barbary
Powers, finding that a new people existed,
which had merchant vessels and no cruisers,
swarmed out to capture our ships. Nearly
all the European maritime nations were
then paying annual tribute to the Dcys Of Al
giers and Tripoli TO shield their commerce. In
1874 Washington sent message to Congress on
the subject, and authority was at once given to
build six frigates This was the foundation Of
our navy; but the expedition against Aigiers
was stopped by the treaty Of 1895. The
example of the concessions to the Dey Of
Aigiers led the Dey of Tripoi to follow
similar course, and the result was the lombard
ment Of his city and the final treaty Of peace in
June, 1905. BY this treaty no future tribute
was to be paid by America. and this practice,
which had so long been consented to by the
European Powers, was finally abolished. The
Tripolitan affair created great sensation in all
The Mediterranean, and the head of the Romish
church publicly declared that America had done
more for Christcndom against the barbarians
than all the Powers Of Europe together
Since that time We have fitted out but one
naval expedition; for the naval war with Eng
land and the naval operations against Mexico
belong to q different category. The second ex-
petition has led to quite as important results
upon The policy Of the world as did that against
Tripoli. For centuries Japan and China had
been closed to the commerce of the world The
opium war of England against the latter Power
vas petty affair and limited to demanding
payment and concessions for direct injuries re-
ccived. Acting upon far higher impulse our go
yernmen. determined to strike fatal blow ut
the whole system of Eastern exclusiyeism
ana in 1852 the naval demonstration against
Japan was resolved on. II did not reach Japan
until Jniy 1853, bu! the result WINS the aban-
donment by that empire OF It's exclasiveisln
This vas the first step IN opening the East to
commerce, and led The way TO still further pro-
ceedings. the ultimate result of which mus. he
the entire opening of the Chinese and Japan
empires. Thus has the United States led in the
destruction Of the Barbary pirates, the opening
of the throngcd East, and the abolition of the
timcbonored Sound dues al the entrance of the
Baltic.
Similar great results upon the policy Of all
The nations OF the earth must follow The expedi-
ton against Paraguay. II is not the ayenginy
of some petty alront but il il the first step that
is to affect all the inconsideratc and anarchical
powers of Spanish America II is the practical
demonstration of our policy towards al OF them,
and the course pursued by Us in this matter will
be followed by all the nations Of Eu-
rope. just as they have followed US in
our course towards the Barbary Powers the
Emperor of Japan and the King Of Denmark Ii
is another step in the impres-ing Of American
influence and the American policy OF equal
rights and justice to all upon The whole world.
The relations of the leading Powers with those
anarchical States and imbecile governments
have become singularly involved and unsatis-
factory. An occasional demonstration. like that
Of France against Mexico. or of England and
France recently against Venezuela. has been
made. but always confined 10 some immediate
and temporary purpose. No great scheme of
policy has been adopted by any of those Powers
and carried out by practical demonstration.
Mr. Buchanan. in acting in the matter of
Paraguay, has taken up the subject Of all our
Spanish American relations in our usual Ameri-
can wholesale way. President Lopez i TO re-
ceive Lesson that will react upon all Of the
Lopczcs from the Rio Grandc to Cape Horn.
and the expedition i Icing fitted on; in
style commensurate with the great policy which
II j. 10 ipsuguraie The changing aspect
Of Affairs In Central America. a. exhibited
in our news columns to-day. l.. Que If the
fruits of the energy displayed by tho adminis-
tration in this affair. Commodore Shuhrck the
present head If the navy. has been placed in
command ~ the expedition without any effort on
his part 10 obtain H. and simply because the Pre-
sideni enter,sins confidence in hs abilities, aud
appreciates the importance of the occasion. The
most gallant spirits in the navy are striving 10
obtain post in IL, and the expedition itself viii
be one OF The strongest naval demonstrations We
have ever sent ont II therefore behoovcs every
officer connected with II to view the matter in is
great and true light, and 10 second the efforts of
the President in making the preparations most
complete and 10 provide for every possible con-
tingcncy.
Every citizen hopes 10 look back al some fi-
ture day upon The results Of the Paraguay expo
dtion with the same feeling Of pride with which
we now look back upon the several naval mill
tary and diplomatic achievements that have
marked our career ~ nation. The principle
that 4" free ships make free goods" was first
preached by Franklin while American Minister