The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-11

tive Positions OF america and England.
Free trade AMI sal ors' rights is the doctrine
to which the Anne lean people have ever cluug.
and will ever cling. In the present compli-
Gated state of affairs in Europe, when the Anglo
French alliance seems to be on the point of rup-
ture--when the old coalition and armed neutrall-
~ arrangements of fifty ears since are likely
to be revived, and when neutral rights are to
seek their defence against belligerent infrac-
tions-we owe it to ourselves that the world
should know upon what ground we stand.
The day has long since gone by when John
Randolph, or any one else, could say--''The ad-
ministration cannot be kicked into war;" The
powers Of the republic have been developed its
stawarth limbs become knit together, and conf
dence in it's ability now waits upon the will to
defend it's Just rights and the lawful interests
of its citizens. Should anything like the
old paper blockades, the Berlin and Milan
DEGREES, and the Orders in Council, come
up in the present European conflict,
no administration in this country could for one
week withstand the popular clamor that would
arise for war; There would be no more resort to
embargo laws AMI non-intervenion acts. Our
vast commerce, spread over every sea and per-
meatipg every land, would require and receive the
instant protection Of our volunteer as we'll ms
our national navy. Any attempt therefore, to
drive our merchant ships from the ocean, or
from any particular sea or coast not the scene of
an actual blockade, would result in driving all
commerce from the ocean and con6nng the
trade of every nation to its own home posses
sions
We trust that there is no danger of such
state OF affairs as this being brought about The
ameliorations which the United States have so
long endeavored to introduce into the laws of
nations have gained largely upon the world
The principle that free ships make free goods,
and that the flag covers persons as well as pro-
perty under it, unless they be enemy's troops or
goods contraband of war, is now tacity if not
directly, admitted. Besides this, no one nation
can now claim to be mistress of the seas.
Several nations have grown up with equal power,
interest and will to dispute such an assump-
ton: and the belligerents, whoever they may be.
will feel themselves under the necessity Of re-
spectng them. Commerce and public opinion,
too, have grown up to be powers within every
State, which are not to be lightly disregarded:
and even the art of war has lost much of that
bitter ferocity with which it was carried on of
old. To all this may be added the great fact that
to day England's true aud highest interests must
lead her to respect, if she does not adopt, the
principles Of the armed neutrality which she
so bitterly opposed at the beginning of the pre-
sent century
Besides these great facts, which will tend to
modify the collateral disputes which attend a
state Of war, other influences have grown up
which will vastly modify the relations we held to
the European Powers Two generations ago. Our
commerce with them has. become q necessity, as
aeupply to the people and as source of revenue
to the governments. Our policy and aims have
become better understood by them. Between
the European peoples and ourselves, particularly
those of Western Europe, there has grown UP
friendly confidence that has far outstrpped the
,hecriziDg Of the governments. Neither the peo
pie of England nor France could be stirred up to
spirit of blind hostility to US, az was the case
III Great Britain under George LII. They have
begun to understand our democracy and to sym.
pathise with it. They see that popular rights
rule with us, are enrolled under the banner of
refefm in England, and march with the Napole-
onic ideas into the heart of Southern and Cen
trail Europe.
All of these facts tend to prove that England
will not find her interests leading her to take
part In the continental conflict, which thus far
does not seem likely to extend beyond the limits
Of Italy, and that We shall not witness resus-
citation of the monstrous claims she put forward
fifty years ago. Recent events, too, sustain this
superstition. The growing friendship aud sym.
patty really existing between the two nations
has extended to their governments; and an entente
cordiole founded on reciprocal interests between
the United States ard England, has taken the
place of the chickering's that once marked their
official intercourse. The virtual settlement Of
the claim to the right of search in time of peace
and the good understanding that has been
brought about between the two governments in
the Central American imbroglio, indicate posi-
bilities very different from the contentious Of
1912. Animated by the spirit that now rules
the intercourse between the two governments. it
is far more likely that in the event of any I'M
foreseen chance or combination against her, we
should he found shoulder to shoulder with Eog
land in defence Of the freedom Of the seas and
the liberties Of the world. Under such state
Of things the American doctrine of "free trade
and sailors rights is safe from all invasion.
whatever chance may betide the war in Europe.
REDUCTION OF OUR ARMY EXPENDiTuRE.--In
another column will be found the report Of the
Board of Officers, convened by an order from the
War Department, to consider what reductions
could be effected in the military expenditure Of