The New York herald., 1864-10-07

was du ana depressed Freighs were less active, while
rates were unchanged
Dry goods st continue to decline 10 price 10 this city.
The fall in the prices Of foreign cloth since the downward
movement commenced has averaged about thirty per
cont. On some grades prices are now fifty per cent
lower. General dry goods. millinery and shawls sold
yesterday for about thirty per cent less than they could
be bought for . month ago. Carpetngs ALSO 10 the
wholesale trade, have had to submit TO similar decline
Our Foreign Relations-Ths Baltimore
and Chicago Platforms.
As we approach the last spasmodic struggles
Of the rebellion, the settlement OF our foreign
relations upon a consistent and durable basis
becomes question of the first magnitude.
With the re-establishment Of the Union the
foreign policy adopted by the government will
determine whether . European balance Of
power shall prevail on this continent or
whether an American balance Of power, po-
litical, naval and commercial, shall be felt and
recognized among the leading Powers Of Eu-
rope in their relations with US, with each other
and with the world at large.
In the budget of our foreign affairs we have,
for example, certain heavy outstanding bal
ances against England aud France. England,
down to the outbreak Of this rebellion, through
her government, her aristocracy, her public
journals, pulpits, philanthropic societies and
political emissarles in every way, and with
untiring zeal and energy, was for thirty years
employed in the work Of breaking up this
country on the slavery question. She dinned
the horrors OF our Southern system Of African
slavery necessarily in our ears. Her exam
Piles of abolition legislation, her abolition mis-
sionaries, her regular diplomacy and her secret
contributions of gold were all devoted to the
philanthropic object Of rupture between our
Northern and Southern States, as the only way
for the overthrow Of this powerful republic,
too dangerous to the feudal institutions and
naval and commercial ascendancy Of England
to be endured.
The desired rupture between the North and
South was at length brought about, when in
stantly the hypocrisy Of all those British hu.
manitarian pretences was disclosed. The British
government, aristocracy, pulpit and press, with
q few exceptional cases, since the secession OF
South Carolina, have been arrayed against US.
But for the moral, material and financial aid
thus given by England to JEFF Davis, bis
miserable mockery of Southern democratic
confederscy, resting upon the corner stone of
slavery, would have been extinguished long
ago. As righteous retribution, the indempi-
ty for her perfdious neutrality in this war
might be made to cover all her North Ameri-
can provinces from Halifax to Vancouver's Is
land. That she must be and will be brought
to rigid settlement is the fixed opinion and
purpose Of the American people.
With regard to France, while the sympathies
Of her people are naturally with us, her present
despotic ruler has been so far against us. that
he has been restrained from recognition OF
JEFF Davis, only by the fears and suspicious of
his good friend and ally, Lord Palmerston.
But the seizure of Mexico by Louis Napoleon,
for the experiment. OF European monarchy,
must be atoned for in the removal or expulsion
OF Maximian the First or Second, as the case
may be, and as the next thing in order after the
fight or expulsion Of JEFF. Davis from the soil
OF the United States. This, too, is the fixed
opinion and resolve Of the American people
Napoleon the First, ceded to this country the
rich and immense territory Of Louisiana for
mere bagatelle, in order to build up power
ful ally Of France on this continent against
England; Napoleon the Second, in departing
from this wise policy of his uncle, will inevi-
tably be held to the penalty which his folly
demands
The settlement Of these heavy balances
against England and Ftance will devolve upon
our federal administration that will be chosen
by the loyal States on the eighth day Of Novem-
Der next. Upon this question the Baltimore
platform, upon which President Lincoln was
renominated, takes the firm and decided ground
Of the Monroe doctrine, although Mr.. Lincoln
himself, in deference to Mr.. Seward and his
dribbling diplomacy, has Whitfield this Balti-
more resolution almost to "tbe little end Of
nothing" On the other hand, however, the
Chicago platform has not solitary word to
say upon our foreign affairs or the foreign
policy OF the democratic party, II restored to
power. This omission is very remarkable,
considering that heretofore the Monroe doc
trins has always been appropriated by the
democrats as their legitimate thunder. Why
have they now abandoned iti Is 1t because
their proposition OF pcace-atany-price may re-
quire recognition Of Maximilian as the ally OF
JED. DAvisi If this be 80 VIC have another
very good reason for the population of the
Chicago platform by Gen Mcclellan.
IA they stand before the people we have no
promise from ollhor Mr.. Lincoln or General
McClslas Of inc enforcement Of the Monroe
doctrine; for Mr.. Lincoln has said that bis ad-
hesion TO the Baltimore resolutions will depend
upon circumstances. We must therefore, look
70 Generals Grant, Sherman and Sheridan and
Tue army, apd 10 Fsrragut, Porter and the navy
for TIE rocti6cation Of our foreign affairs,
through The speedy suppression OF The rebel.
lion, This done, the wishes OF the American