New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-11


ponds entirely upon the character Of the "moderate
"demsrds" spoken of by the Queen. The question
is, are they moderate Z" She says they are. If
they are, why should not China accede to them 2
If they sre there is no good reason to doubt that
China will accede. IL our Chamber Of Commerce
or our commercial men generally sba desire to in-
terpOse their advice or their action in national at
fairs, we have an idea that they should act more
promptly than they have 10 this Instance, aud
perhaps in a different way. They have aP-
on aled TO President Buchanan to offer mediation
between the belligerents. But Great Britain and
France have long ago agreed upon their moderate
demands" dispatched them to China, aud sent
powerful armament to enforce them, an armament
which, or at least large portion of it, must al
ready be in Chinese waters. Now, China lies upOn
tie other side of the globe and thus it would take
long time to make the mediation efectual, even II
al parties cODcurred Before a mediatO'y embas-
ador could reach the theater Of his mission,
it is but too probable that, if war is to ensue,
it will have been begun. Beside this, 1t
strikes US that the efficient way for the
commercial community was to take up the subject
long ago. They should have addressed themselves
immediately to the offended allies in Europe, and
should have had some hand in shaping the character
of those moderate demands which the Queen
says have been made. The whole case turDs on
those "mOderate demands" IL our commercial
interests had been prompt We have no doubt their
representatives might at least have obtained hear
ing before the functiODares of the British Govern
ment on the character those demands should bear,
whether those functionaries would have entertained
suggestions or not in regard to Their modification.
Thus our merchants might at least have received an
intmation of the probable character of the de-
mands, and might have formed better opinion as
to whether the Chinese would be disposed to accede
to them. And at this point the question Of media
ton could have been mOOted.
For we assume, if our commercial men are to
act in such affairs at all (and we know no reason
why they should not, although it may provoke
smiles from the old foges to think of the deviation
from routine which such action would imply, then
they must act in business way. They must drive
directly at the point they are after. Having done
what We suggest, at the right time, they might then
have addressed themselves With some show of earn
estness and intelligence, to President Buchanan,
and might have appealed to him to back their esrts
But we are Of opinion that their present action Is
but poorly adapted to accomplish the purposes they
seem TO have in view. If these people are going to
war; they will be hard at it long before mediation
can be applied. And when they once get at work,
A. koIro al
it is not etiquette to propose it.
While We think well, therefore, Of the general
idea that uuderlies the action Of the Chamber OF
Commerce, and wish to see it not only acted on,
but its scope enlarged after the manner we have
suggested we are compelled to question the FEAST
bity Of the plan proposed touching this particular
matter Of the coming Chinese hostilities. But it
being a tort of 6nt appearance of commercial ci--
ces in the diplomatic line, we are disposed to
excuse any swkwardness which they may manifest.
They will do better, we are sure, after little ex-
peTience.
The other topic they report upon at length is the
old question Of the rights Of neutras on the higa
seas, the sbrogation of priyateering and also the
propriety of the dsentanglement of private utter
ests from public concerns during war. On this
subject they propose the following resolution:
Resolre6 That the perfect immunity Of all private
property upon the ocean in time Of war is demanded
by an enlightened sentiment Of justice snd the i'm
proved spirit Of CIVILIZATION not less than ny due con-
tideratioh Of tho best interests Of commerce.
This is highly proper subject for agitation and
discussion, and one in which every citizen has
deep interest War is, as was aaid BY Napoleon,
but the trade of barbariaDs," and when Govern
ments can be forced to do their fighting outside of
the concerns of the people, and be compelled to
leave the regular VocatOns of trade and commerce
uumolested by SD ,h barbarOus practices, wonder
full stride forward will have been made by civiliza
tioD 1t is the peculiar Office of all the commercial
and industrial interests Of this nation and Of every
enlightened nation to help forward this great reform.