The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-05

Let us do what we will on election day, there
is no help for it now. The time for amendment
has been foolshly allowed to pass away, and
our citizens, who evidently think they are not
taxed half enough, must make the best oft.
The AngIo-French Policy In America-Why
their Representatives Cannot Explain
What IL Is.
The attitude which the Western Powers of
Europe are assuming in the questions of Mexico
and Central America is one that demands an
earnest watchfulness on our part. II is evident
from the outpourings OF the Paris journals
which, from the severe censorship that is held
over them by the government, may be considered
as qaias official utterances that the Anglo French
alliance thinks ii is now time to take the United
States in hand. The march Of Russia towards
Constantinople has been checked by the slaughter
in the Crimea, the exclusiyism of China has been
cast down by the capture Of Canton and the
treaties of Ten-tsn, the policy of every court in
Europe has been regulated by conferences at
Paris and now the time has come to clip the
wings Of manifest destiny" in America.
This is the selfassumed mission of France and
England which was so boastfully announced by
Lord Clarendon four years since. While the re-
suit of the Russian war, the Indian rebellion,
and the affair of China, were still doubtful, the
Allied Powers seemed to be in wonderful good
humor with us, and perfectly willing to
let us control affairs on this continent
in our own way. The only point that
they insisted upon was that they should be al
c.. a.. &c
filibusters to liberate Cuba. This was as far as
they would go. On several occasions they vo-
lunteered their advice to Spain not to go too far
in snubbing the United States, and pretty broad
ly limited that their agreement was only to pro-
tect her against aggression. Now, the advice Of
the two Powers is changed. Spain is prompted
into an aggressive movement against Mexico, in
which France and England agree to protect her
with their fleets from any interference on our
part. Such is the statement of a said TO be well
informed Madrid correspondent of a Spanish
Journal published in Paris regarding the late
conferences of Calderon Collantes, the Spanish
Minister Of State, with the Ambassadors of
France and England In Central America a
similar change has occurred When the Cass-
Yrisarri treaty was negotiated, Lord Napier and
Count Sartiges announced the perfect acquies
cence Of their governments to it; it was just the
thing. and they should probably make similar
ones as soon as the back of the rebellion in India
was broken and the Chinese affair was off their
hands Now that these points have been at
tanned, the tune is changed The Paris Parte
announced that the Cass- Yrisarr treaty abrogates
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, proclaims it IAN act
which betrayed Nicaragua, and applauds Gen.
Martinez for having seen ''the snare" and refus-
ing to sign it.
This game Of double-faced diplomacy has not
yet been entirely played out, as will be seen by
our despatch from Washington, published else
where. Our government has become alarmed
at the preparations of Spain against Mexico, and
Of France and England TO sustain her in them.
Explanations have been requested of Senior Tas-
sara. which bring out only mass of virtuous
gcneralities, amounting to nothing at all. Napier
and Sartiges are anxious to help their confede-
rate out OF his dilemma, and the whole trio are
in precious stew. Their exerions are evidently
aimed at producing another result like that from
the mission of Sir Vim. Gore 0useley. No one
knows what he came for or what he accom-
plished. He stayed eleven months at Washing
ton, apparently with nothing to do. and in that
time the administration changed its views in
regard to the abrogation Of the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty. treaty which was the most foolish mis-
take Of commission that any administration has
ever made. II l. far worse than any error Of
omission could have been.
The business Of satisfactorily explaining the
course Of Spain towards Mexico Is peculiarly
awkward one. Why should Spain take Just the
present time to enforce her claims on that re-
public! A civil war is raging between two par
ties. neither Of whom can be held 10 reprcsent the
republic or has the power TO make due
reparation. And why should England back
her in this exhibition Of force against divided
republic at this peculiar juncture. when her own
claims against Mexico are hundred fold greater
than those OF Spain, and she rcfrains from press
ing them: Why should France, too, wish to egg
Spain on In this affair Her minister in Mexico
is the prime mover Of the Zuleaga government.
and Spain herself at this moment Is governed in
Paris. Is there any wish In all this to complete
the overthrow of the constitutional government
in Mexico and to make the clergy supreme
thcreg Il il the mission Of Louis Napoleon 10
destroy constitutions in America IA well az in
Europe, and to protect the Jesuits in Mexico as
in China? The struggle now going on in Mexico
is a struggle between the people aud pricstcraft-
between the political ideas Of the nineteenth
century and the theocratical dcspotism of the
ninth. Perhaps the sympathics OF the Anglo
French alliance are in favor Of the policy Of Hill
debrand.
There Il conflict impending in these qucs-
tons regarding Mexico and Central America
between ourselves and the Anglo.Frcnch alliance
Like Turkey and China, circumstances have ex-
cluded their elements Of wealth and their high
WAYS from the rcpublic of trade Tho four ernat