The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-09

>VuN EuSbu1On oti sAAU NeuLGAl V1Qht6 (lucS~
tioA--Tho American Docls1ae.
The state paper defining the American doc
trine OF neutral rights forwarded by Mr.. Cass to
our Mini sters abroad will impress all the courts
in Europe with the dignity aud moral power Of
this country. AT no period, perhaps, In the
history of the Uoited States, certainly not siace
the war of 1912, was it more important that our
views upon this subject should be distinctly uu-
derstood and maintained than in the present |
juncture Of affairs in Europe; and the clear expo
tition of the neutral rights question, and firm
stand for the protection Of the commercial in-
terests of the nation, which the administration
has presented in this document, cannot fail to
give satisfaction at home and to be regarded
with respect and attention abroad.
The position assumed by England and by
Austria with reference to what should be Coz
sidered contraband of war renders it necessary
that the point should be settled definitely, and it
will be seen that our government agrees with
that of France, Russia and Sardinia, In declaring
that coal and breadstuffs must not be so consi
dered; in short, that nothing except implements
of war, powder, shot and saltpetre, are properly
contraband Of war.
1t is not to be wondered at that England, with
| her immense navy and almost exhaustless coal
mines, should endeavor to include that ar
ticle in the list of contraband goods or that
| Austria with no navy at ALL and therefore
| no need of coal ia carrying on the war,
should agree with her; while France aud Russia,
both having respectable navies aud compare
lively little coal products, should take different
course and sustain our view of the question. But
it is too late in the age Of the world now for any
one nation to make its own interest the rule for
all the world or to obstruct the course Of com
| merce; and any nation that attempts such a
policy must expect to find an alliance against
her. We have no doubt that the views expressed
in Mr.. Cass' communication, both as regards the
principle that the flag covers the cargo, and as
to what articles are contraband Of war, will meet
with general recognition in Europe, as they
have already done in a few of the great nations
It would ill become powerful maritime and
commercial country like this to be forced into
admitting doctrines repugnant to all progress
siye ideas and eubversiye Of its own commercial
interests. Upon these same questions the United
States interposed their influence at the Paris
Conference of 1855, refusing to become party
to any compact in which the interests Of this
nation were not fully protected and her govern
ment left free to employ her merchant marine az
they pleased in time of war. And that was not
the first time the United States threw the weight
Of their moral influence, as nation worthy to be
respected, upon the same subject when under
discussion among the Powers of Europe.
| We recognise, then, in this late State paper,
not oply ore Of the ablest documents that has
emanated from any administration, but an
expression of the national opinion upon neutral
rights which comes with equal dignity and op-
pOrtuneness.
COMPARATIVE MUSICAL TASTE IN Our GREAT
| CIrTEs-We have frequently alluded to the
rapid advances made in the musical taste and
artistic appreciation of the metropolis. In lit.
tie less than twenty Ave years the Italian Opera
in New York has become an indispensable requi
site in our daily life. Formerly the Opera was
only patronized Ivy two classes-thc ladies who
could understand and appreciate the music, and
men who went simply because it was considered
| the correct thing go to do. Now the audiences
at the Academy of Music include all classes,
from the Fifth avenue millionaire to the hunhlest
artisan. From September till January, and from
| Easter till the LIST of June tie italian Opera is
| the most attractive of our pnslic amusements,
and this notwithstanding the fact that TIE tariff
Of admission at the Academy ia sometimes quad
ripple that demanded at the theatres proper.
With each succeeding season tho managers ope-
! \; ca orviO y,,cxr
ments are worthy of a general commanding a
great army Outlines within the last year or
two the Opera has been the topic Of the day. and
has been discussed with intense gravity by PEG.
| PIE who nevey saw the interior Of the Academy,
and who, perhaps never will And the mana
! ger, however frequently he may be ruined, al
! Ways finds the sinews Of war TO 60 on with
Even If one director should fall there are always
| peri / remplocr,ts eager to assume bis scepdre.
! Norris this popularity Of the Opera, and COZ
| seaueot progress OF musical taste, confined to
the metropolis. The provincial campaigns
last season proved that it has extended through.
cut the country, and penetrated fren the shores
Of The Atlantic to the hanks OF the Mississippi.
Il appears too, that she provincial city wherein
| the most advanced taste and appreciation OF
| musical matters has tsen observed isSt Louis,
where there was the nost hearty and cordial sup-
port of the Opera, and discriminating opinion
of the merits of the artists. Next comes Boston
Boston, which was very slow and very stupid
about ope.afic matters ut first, roWstarde second
/ from New York, and Eext after st. Louis as o
profitable point for masagerial operations. No
doubt that there always was rlensy Of musical
taste inert 10 the Bostcnian mind but the Boz
soniap nina is, TO say the least, alittls narrow
and its journalism rather muddios than clears it
. But once get an idea into the Bostonian ne id
and DO earthly power can get it cut Tit
operatic i5sa IL, we believe, fairly anew. Their,