The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-10-03

an obstacle in its path to power which, once
attained, will insure results deplorable to
contemplate.
MIR. Lindsay and His semi-Dipi tic
Mission-American and European sys-
TENS or Commerce ana Defence.
The Hon. Mr.. Lindsay, after opening his semi
diplomatic budget at Boston, has left the City
of Notions and come to talk with our merchants
about free trade and sailors rights.
We presume he has found out by this time
that be comes at an inauspicious period to do
any business in public way here, and perhaps
be may also have learned that he stands in the
same category with the Hollanders, as expressed
by his countryman Canning
In matters Of commerce tits the fault OF the Dutch
To offer too little and to ask for too much.
Mr.. Lindsay belongs to the class Of free
lances in diplomacy. Nobody is responsible
for what they do, but everybody rejoices at the
good they achieve. They are specially hated
only by the red tape diplomatists, with
whose set forms and precedents they interfere
woefully. These free lances-we call them 6li-
busters on this side of the ocean-in diplomacy
have the special mission just now Of clearing
away the rubbish of antiquated legislation
which trammels commerce everywhere, and of
overthrowing the idols which fallacy has erected
in the commercial policy Of nations. They
must necessarily be men Of more brains than
the usual run of diplomatists, and men of
practical knowledge of affairs, Thus Ashbur-
ton, an ex.merchant, was sent over here some
years ago to clear away the rubbish about the
boundary and fisheries. More recently Golden,
Manchester spinner, went as free lance to
Paris, and swept away mass Of old fashioned
and useless stuff. What Mr.. Lindsay can achieve
here to-day Is nothing at all, for we are In the
midst Of our quadrennial political revolution,
and the administration is holding through what
we here consider as an interregnum in the
government They can do nothing for they are
soon TO 60 out, and the new administration will
not be in position until the 4th of March next
But Mr.. Lindsay can learn much, and 60 home
wiser man, able TO prepare bis friends for
some future diplomatic dlibuser expedition to
this country.
In his budget there are two classes
of wares-those he offers to US and those
be asks from us. And there is a remarka.
BILE inequality between the two. Under
the first head we class all such questions
as those Of the liability Of shipowners for COL
lison at sea, the rule Of the road, signal lights
on sail vessels as well as steam, jurisdiction
over crime on shipboard, desertion Of sesmen
light dues, the measurement Of ships and the
issuance Of register to those built abroad. In
all Of these matters, the adoption Of simple and
general regulations to guide, but not control
commerce, will be very advantageous to all
parties. In them there Is nothing of particular
advantage to us more than to England and the
world in general. But under the other head
Mr.. Lindsay asks from Us certain concessions
which must be looked at In another light He
desires us to throw open our coasting trade, in.
GLIDING that to California, and to put an end to
the seizure Of private property at sea. These are
questions that require to be looked at in
another light than as purely commercial
question.
Our coasting trade comprises relatively q
much larger portion Of our commerce than does
that OF England Of hers for II Is the interchange
Of the productions and supplies Of half a
continent, while that Of England Is limited
to a few articles Of domestic use. We
have six thousand and England six hun
dred miles Of coast line and Mr.. Lindsay
himself gives us good reason why We should
not open this immense line Of domestic naviga-
ton to the English flag. He tells us that before
foreigners can embark in the coasting trade
Of England they must come and live Ia her
ports. Now the English flag would be as good
as domesticated in our ports II they were open
to it. We have the seafaring communities of
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia at one end of
our coast lines. Of Bermuda opposite the mid
die and OF Nassau of Florida. Open our
coasting trade 10 them, and where does Mr..
Lindsay propose to End an Offset for the boon!
The California trade presents other difficulties;
but fret In Importance Is that Of discriminating
between the trade Of different sections Of our
empire.
The great error. however, Of Mr.. Lindsay's
mission lies In bis desire to put an end to the
seizure Of private property at sea In time Of
war by national ships or privateers. This Is
one-sided proposition, in which all the advan.
tsge IL on the side Of the great European
Powers, and the disadvantage on ours
We have grown up in the world a
mighty Power without an army or navy,
in the senses In which those arms are
maintained In Europe. We desire to make no
wars Of aggression, and for defence we rely
upon the volunteer system on sea and land.
AT sea this can be used only through the pri.
vateer system, and we must defend II so long
as nations are ruled BY men and not by angels,
and dynasties foster ambitious projects aud
hold great fleets with the power Of blockade.
The restraint which commerce exercises over
nations and rulers Il held through the danger
to the interests Of their subjects which war
now involves; take this away, and wars OF an.
hilton lose their rceat chaok ard fraaAo,,,