The New York herald., 1869-04-22
Indications Of n Bold Foreign Policy-The
Administration and the People.


| Since the 4th of March the people of th
United States have been awaiting with anxiet
to learn something Of the temper of the ad
ministration with reference to our foreig
relations. Three great questions have bee
agltating us, either one of them capable,
well handled, of making the present Presiden
| tial term historic. These questions are Cuba
Mexico and Canada. All of them are the re
sultants OF the same active forces pressing IL
the same direction. To dsobey the mandates
of these forces is to show front against fate
to listen to them and obey is to fulfil our des
tiny. Railroads, telegraphs and other ele
ments of progress now govern us. They have
made and must make sad havoc among bound
ary lines, narrow ideas and localisms. These
are our irresistible dictators. They force the
nation in the direction of Cuba, Mexico and
Canada, and say that "while these countries
are not with us they are against u.s." One and
all Of them impede our movements, hamper
our greatness. Three days since we explained
that Cuba is commanding fertilization, which,
In European hands, must ever be, what 1t
always has been, scourge to this Continent.
We have often spoken of Mexico as a country
whose anarchy and narrowness cost us more
annually than Its conquest would cost. A
territory Of our own equal to the area of
Mexico has its growth impeded because it has
no outlet to the southwest which can be made
available. A boundary line between two
of our own States is sufficient curse !;
but when progress depends upon the joint
action of two governments so totally opposite
as the United States and Mexico there is little
hope in the future for either our own South
west or for that Indian and mongrel race
which Louis Napoleon was pleased to recog-
nize as belonging to the Latins. What we
have said of Cuba and Mexico applies in its
main features to Canada.
But, strange to say, these countries are not
only necessity to us, but we are a necessity
to them. When Cuba can ship her products
to the United States free of duty she will be
the richer. When Canada helps us demolish
the custom houses on the boundary line be-
tween us she will thrive beyond her present
dreams. If the few men who keep Mexico in
commotion would permit the seven millions of
their Indian population to vote, that vote
would be given unanimously for the American
flag.
We have stated these things that Europe
may understand our condition in North Amer
lea. She can by this appreciate our temper
and measure the chances if she chooses to draw
blade against the destiny of the United States.
Our Washington news indicates that the ad-
now listens to this beating of the
public pulse and follows its movements It
has been difficult to act heretofore. The boards
had to be swept Of the office-seekers, who gave
no quarter until the spoils were divided. We
suspect that President Grant, in his anxiety to
get at the great foreign questions which in
terest us, sacrificed the minor ones with re-
spect to offices. Congress and its hungry
friends threatened to open war upon the Ex-
ecutive, in which he had nothing to win by
opposition. Grant has therefore stepped aside
and let the tide Of impurity roll on.
Now we commence work. We are in the
harness. Our Secretary of State, moving
with the times, tells Spain, through her Minis
ter, that the policy of the administration with
reference to Cuba is settled. He refuses to
issue proclamation modelled upon that of
President Fillmore in 1851. How far Spain is
behind the age is best indicated by her asking
for q reissue of such cold-blooded document.
Mr.. Fish told the Spanish Minister that the
al Iu had 0r -,
own; that General Dulce must recall his un-
warrantable order about vessels found
traversing Cuban waters that Americans had
a right to volunteer in the Cuban revolutionary
cause If they desired; that our feet near Cuba
'fs there to protect the rights and persons of
every American citizen. President Grant
desires that every American, at home or
abroad, shall be shielded from violence and
outrage" All this is American and to the
point. It Ia just what the whole people would
say were the question submitted to them. 1t
is only necessary for the administration to
fearlessly carry out the programme here indl-
Gated to become the most popular that the
country has ever had.
lue suaip iahSuaXe W opaiu anu tuc tone
of the administration and Congress towards
England indicate that we are to settle our
foreign questions in a dignifed manner. We
would not enter into a war with England
so long as there is any hope of an honorable
reparation on her part for the great wrongs
done to us; but we have little inclination
to double the effect of those wrongs by nursing
them. Better settle them at once, peaceably,
if possble-by the sword, il nece cessary. 1t
would be grand struggle battle between
old Mother England and ourselves. She Is
or defensive warfare-all sinew, all courage !;
we are proud Of her, but prouder still that we
face her with hands on our sword-hilts, fear
ing nothing. We have not blamed her for