The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-26

policy; for the Monroe doctrine, ~ It b called,
was never well defined, admitted Of great lati-
tude of Interpretation and has been moro than
once violated with impunity. In fact the pub
Lilo men of the United States have been disposed
all along to ignore or neglect questions Of an
International character. In observing the in
junction Of Washington not TO form entangling
alliances with foreign nations, we have been led
into an extreme the other way--into Chinese
sort of abstention and exclusion. This caution
and our prudence were well enough in the
infancy Of the republic. Nor d. we think 1t
would be wise now to abandon our former
policy by forming alliances with the govern
ments Of the Old World or by meddling in
their affairs But the time has arrived when
both the dignity and interests of this great
republic demand broader and more decisive
foreign policy. Our position among the great
Powers Of the world, and particularly our
position ON tho American continent, calls for
this. II is our destiny, and we must follow
1t. Our r6le on this side the Atlantic must be
something like that Of the Roman republic
toward the surrounding nations, except that
instead Of making conquests by arms we
should control the other States of America
by our moral power and protection. The
incalculable and varied surplus wealth of
this vast continent, both South and North,
can be drawn here as the wealth Of the
world was attracted to ancient Rome. And
such policy would be made beneficial to
the other American nations as we'll as to
ourselves.
First of all the President should insist upon
an immediate settlement OF our difficulties
with European Powers. Among these are the
prompt payment Of the Alabama claims by
England. This should be followed by .
definite settlem mt Of the neutrality laws, both
WITH Great Britain and other countries, so as
to prevent trouble in the future. The removal
Of the exotic imperial establishment in Mexico,
with all the French troops and every vestlge
Of that Intervention, should be demanded.
The whole movement was gross and defiant
insult to the United States, and 1t Is standing
insult as long as Macmillan and French
soldier remains. To save further shedding
of the blood Of citizens OF that neighboring
republic, as well as to relieve ourselves of
any more trouble about the matter, we should
require the withdrawal Of the so-called EN-
psror and the French troops without delay.
In order to facilitate this our government
might make an arrangement with the Mexican
republic and the Emperor Napoleon to pay the
legitimate French debt against Mexico and take
the sparsely settled Northern States Of Mexico
for the amount. Mexico would be
stronger without that portion of her territory,
and we should have our boundary rounded of
with the ports and lines of communication we
need on and to the Pacific. We ought to form
q closer commercial alliance with all the re.
publics Of America and to use our influence to
make and keep The whole continent republican
in government. We should lay down policy
with the view Of ultimately excluding all
European and monarchical governments from
the soil Of this continent. That is the broad
and comprehensive foreign policy President
johnson should inaugurate. II he should do
and obtain great name in history
There is another subject Of vast importance
which the President ought 70 bring forward in
his message. We refer to our national finances.
A thorough examination and revision Is imper-
atively demanded. The expenditures md
taxes must be chi down TO the lowest figure.
The people have become greatly corrupted
within the last few years by a reckless waste Of
money and extravaganza. A sinking fund, to
be made permanent and held sacred, should be
established 10 extinguish the national debt
within reasonable and given time. Above
all the President should recommend the abol-
ishmcnt OF that monstrcus moneyed monopoly
OF the national banks. IL is rapidly fastening
itself upon The country and drawing into Its
vortex the productive industry Of the people
II suffered to exist IL will absorb all the profits
Of labor, VIII control the markets and will
prove to be the most dangerous political ma
chine that ever existed. II should be cut up
root and branch before ii becomes too strong.
These are the subjects OF vital Importance
Mr.. johnson should take up, leaving Congress
to settle the question Of restoration. Never
before was such an opportunity presented for
a statesman TO distinguish himself OF TO make
his name famous in the pages of history. We
hope TO see such message to Congress as will
assure us that the President is not going 10 lose
the opportunity afforded and that we shall see
the republic rise to unexampled grandeur and
prosperity under his administration.
SHORT CR0rs AND Distribution IN THE sorrH.
Major General Thomas J. Wood, the Assist.
ant Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau
for Mississippi, makes a report OF the shortness
Of the crops in that State which must naturally
give rise 10 much apprehension for the welfare
Of the people, both black and white, in the
approaching winter. General Woods dcclara-