The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-23

| Of jeff DAYS. would unquesti0nably be pur-
sued by the philaG 'hropic John Bull a. pirates
| If 1t were not for the cotton but the cotton
makes very material difference in the charac-
| ter OF these privateers. We apprehend, how
| ever, that even upon this cotton standard of
morality get up by Lord John Russell, he will
| soon have his eyes opened to a different view
| Of the subject, between the pressure of English
| public opinion on the one hand and the instruc-
tons to Mr. Adams, and the warnings to Lord
Lyons from our Cabinet, on the other hand. Let
us wait till Lord John hears from Washington
TuE FUTURE Policy OF THE UNITED STATES
TOWARDS FOREIGN CONFERENCE.-The pro-
gramme of our foreign policy, laid down in the
important despatch from Washington which
we published yesterday, has given unmtxed
satisfaction to all classes of politicians. 1t
goes far to remove any doubts that may have
existed as to the competence of the present ad
ministration to deal with the difficulties and
embarrassments in which the country is in
volved. The confidence that it will inspire
will do more to strengthen their hands in the
present discouraging aspect of our foreign re-
lations than any small diplomatic successes
they might gain abroad over the Montgomery
Commissioners. 1t anticipates all shufiling on
the part of England and France, and holds out
the alternative, fair and square, of an open
breach with those governments on their recog
milton of the independence of the revolted
States.
Taken, both in regard to the principles enun.
al H. r. -.
ton, the declaration thus set forth, and already
on its way to the European courts, is one Of
the most Independent and spirited that has
ever emanated from this or any other
government. First setting itself right by pro.
Tossing its readiness to conform to the public
law of Europe on the privateer question, and
announcing its intention not to NEEDLE or in
terfere in the issues that may hereafter arise
between European governments, it declares its
firm purpose not to tolerate in the future any
proceeding on the part Of the latter that may
wear the appearance Of a disposition to in
terfere in the affairs of this continent It will
maintain against all the world the principles of
the Monroe doctrine, not in the loose and ped
ding way in which they have been asserted by
the administrations of Van Buren,, Polk and
Pierce, but literally and unfinchingly. And,
by way of commencement, Spain will be taught
lesson in regard to her occupation of ST. DO
mingo, which will serve to mark the determine
ton of our government on this point of its
foreign policy.
But it is in respect to England and France
especially that it has resolved not to leave
involved in doubt it's intentions. With
the exception of these two, all the other Euro
pean governments have given us the strongest
assurances Of their determination not to inter-
fere in any way in our domestic quarrels.
We see it affirmed in our Paris and London
letters, published elsewhere, that France means
to shape her policy towards us by that of
England. There are facts which induce us to
discredit this statement. There is in the first
place difficulty brewing between the two gov
ernments in regard to Syria which will proba-
5ly end in rupture; and next, leaving out of
view the chance of such a breach, Louis Ma
poleon has enough on his hands to occupy him
in the regulation of continental affairs, without
embarrassing himself with fresh complications
He may help England into hostilities with us,
because he would be glad to get her fleets out
of his way, but he will take care how he
creates any additional demands on his own
already overtaxed resources.
As we have said, the language held by The
administration, at a time of so much domestic
difficulty and peril, is calculated not only to
inspire confidence at home, but respect and adj
miration abroad. There is no other govern
ment in existence which, similarly situated
would venture to use the same bold and
independent tone. The fact marks the Diff
ference between republican and despotic in
stitutions. A government which places itself
in the right, not only with its own people but
with all the world, has nothing to fear from the
shocks Of revolution or foreign aggression.