The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-12

Ths United States and tho Chinese War.
II il very evident that the allied forces Of
England and France have as yet succeeded ia
making q very slight, If any progress towards
satisfactory settlement of the Chinese ques
ton by the taking of Canton. So fer as oan be
Cleaned from the published accounts, it is net
Improbable the Emperor of China is quietly
slipping bis Souchong in blissful iguo-
rance, or at al events Indifference, as to the
movements of the outside barbarians at the 9th
er end of his kingdom. To make any impress
sion upon that singular government the war
must assume much grander proportions than it
has Jet, and the campaign must include the
capture of Pekin itself After his mightiness,
the Brother of the Sun and Moon" is caught,
II may be more difficult question to decide
What is to be done with him than the work of
his capture aud we have no doubt Lsrd Elgin
already he's fearful misgivings on the subject
from his preliminary difficulty with his Excel
leucy, Mr.. Yeh.
Meantime, not only are the English some
what indignant at the neutral position
of the United States in the matter, but
few of the ignorant papers in this
country also complain of the administration
for not having sent out feet and Joined the
allies in their onslaught On Canton; and ia
this connection call has been made by tho
House Of Representatives on the President for
copies Of his instructions to Mr.. Reed, our Min
lister to China There are great many strong
reasons for the course which has been adopted
by our government in declining to join the
alliance, not the least important of which is
that we have no excuse for making war on
Cbins-not even as good a pretence as England
has set up, and which has been denounced in
the British Parliament as nOt justifying hostili
ties England asserts that the Governor of
Canton ipsulted her flag BY arresting certain Chi
Rese rsbbie who had hoisted the British oolors on
one of their river boats, and although the men
were released, the apology was not deemed
sufficient, and therefore John Chinaman must
again feel the prOwess of John Bull France in
terferes because French missionary was killed
by Chinese mob and Russia gladly joins the
other Powers so as to advance her
claims on the Amoor. Now. the United
States flag has not been insuited by
China no American missionary has been killed,
Dor have we any designs on the AmOOr, except
TO build fast steamers to navigate that splendid
river. Granting, therefore, that If we had cause
we might Join in the Chinee crusade, what ex-
cuse is there, under existing circumstances, for
such courses
Our position towards Clkns WIS briefly and
rIa Ir tat hx-M NJ in Ia mos no
to Congress at the. epe ming of the session
Under the treaty of 1s4 / with China, with .
view to the security and extension Of our CON-
merce, it was stipula ed tha. tie conven-
ton should be revised If experience proved
it requisite, Gin hich case the two
governments will, at the expiration o
twelve years from he date Of said con
ventioR treat amica' Ay concerning the sam
By means Of suitable sersons appointed to con
duct such negotiation g." These twelve year
expired en- the Sd of July, 1856; "but," cor
tinues the President, "long before that perio
il was ascertained "a. important changes
the treaty were necei sary, and several fruitlei
attempts we're made BY the Commissioner Of II
United otstes to eff, ct those changeA Anoth'
effort was about to / e made for the same purpo
by our Commission Aer in conjunction with Il
Ministers Of Engis nd and Frances but this vi
suspended by the occurrence Of hostilities
the Canton river etween Great Britain and Il
Chinese empire" Such Is briefly the state
the case. and il is plain that it would be al OF
rage OF the gri west pcrtent for the Unit
States 10 join in awar egsinrt any Power up
the mere delay bringing about more fave
able commercis convention than we happen
present to eDjo' ,. If the principle OF MAXI
war under such circumstances Is correct, its Q
plicatlon must be general and what would
thought CT ar deposition, for instance, to 60
war with En- gland because che sees fit TO
pose duty OF tobacco, or that France shot
blockade our ports because the manufacture
Lyons are Ia red ct our Custom Houses. 1t m
be that If o nina would throw open her CO
merce to To- world II would be better for
and for civi lizetion; bus the conclusion &
because tn 4 Is our opinion, therefore
mus. proos ed TO burn and destroy in
der to fol ce Christianity ard fee tr
down the q ucsts Of the Chinese, is not half
tensble or a moral a. tee ethics Of the bure
who break ,into the safe Of the wealthy mat
as TO obt& a portion Of lis riches, and
circulate among the poor the money wi
would 9th erwise be locked up.
Our NJ mister has been instructed to pro
cur ciiiu ms in China; and, If occasion Of
Ito coo perate with the British and Ere
Ministers In all peaceful measures to seC
commerC iaI cornerstone II tie Precedent
desired To 90 further than this In ais inst
tons, b, had not the constitutional power Il
70. Tn president u not sovereign, and
not aub ,ori2e declaration Of war unless
the pre- rious consent Of Congress- II, there
Congre s deems II expedicnt to give tiu
thority 10 mako war on China, II he should
sider / necessary, then the whole responsib
will b thrown upon him. In the meantiu
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