The New York Herald Newspaper, November 18, 1853, Page 4

+; te LY. regard to matters there is by mo means exaggerated. | ing repetition of the statement soon overawed NEW YORK HERALD. JAMOHs GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR ND EDITOR, @FFICE XN. W. CORNER OF 1ULTON AND NASSAU SO. | rs wy HR alo. 7 per am tL Y HEKALD ? cents per copy—£ mum. rae a WRERKLY HERALD jatunday at Oa cents ger S0py, oF pr oan ‘opean Edilion $4 per an- sere part of Gre m dnd BS to any part of the y PTERS to moll Jor Bubseripti with Adver ERS by mail for Subseriptions, or with 4 Meempents. 10 be port psd or the postage will be deducte! from | ont emitted VOU NPR Y CORRESPONDENCE, containing impor. —_ .d from any quarter of the werld; if used widk ‘ally paid for. sa ee ee sane : a NOTICE taken of anonymous commenieations We de turn rect 3G B PRINTING ssccuted with neatnens, cheapness and RTISEMENTS renewed every dav UB Fonmies COBRmPONDENTS ESTED TO aMsL ai Lavreesaeh aMUSSMENTS THIS SYRRLNG, WOWERY THEATER, Bowery—Love—Lony or tHe Les. ADWAY THEATRE, Broadway—Lapy or Lroxs— | nied, the letter being mvsrely a private communica- | while the latter was Se-sretary of Sta'e. The govern: Bipes Barorns?. WTB10'S, Broadwsy— BU ATON'S THEATRE, Fo Faaunrs anv Guar | | eam THEATRE, Chatham street—Umczs Tom's a TELLO. embers sveast— Too PRrenns— 3 My Unore’s Camp. "AALLACK’S THBATRE, Broadway—Love amp Morn: ~ Beas Doves WERICAH MUSRUM—Atiernoon—-Poor Pritrceapy— ZAMDELING MINSTREL. Cvoning--OwoLa Toa’s C MRaNCOND'S HIPPODROKNE, Medison square—Afier- 7 po ge Sreeria Oussm-—-Ouaaioy ), eo. OWERY AMPHITSEATRE, 7 Bowory—Ravmesian Piearozaxczs. "§ AMERICAN OPERA HOUSE, «72 Broadway Arnona Maxovixs sy Omnisty’s MIneTRELS, ‘WOOD'S MINSTREL’S, Wood's Minstgol Hall, 444 Brovd way—Brworiam Miverreisy. BUCKLEY'S OPERA HOU: Brmorias Orers TRovee BANVARD'S GRORAMA, 596 Srocdway—Pawonaxa or wu Hory Laxn. HOPE CHAPEL, 713 Droadway—Paawxaneruin’s Pano ‘Wana op Nracans. RBHENISH CALLERY, 953 Broadway—Day and Avening. ‘WIGNOR BLITS—Srovvesast Insrrrcre, 669 Broadway ACADEMY HALL, 13 Brosdway—PsEpuan’s Gurr Sear Seven OF Tux Brvew Mice Krnaor. ‘BLL’S GREAT NATIONAL PAINTING vor tax Sook tatet shew ous aT ths NATIONAL ACADEMY OF yw, 563 Broadway. TABERNACLE, Broadway Deurster's Concert. |, 698 Bresdway—Svomer’s oe st New York, Friday, November 18, 1853. The News. ‘The Arabia, from Liverpool, arrived at this port early yesterday morning, bringing our Liverpool files to the 5th, London to the 4th, Paris advices of the 3a inst., and interesting letters from our European ‘orrespondents to the latest moment. The news is fully confirmatory of tke warlike intelligence brought by the Baltic. Omer Pasha had delivered an address to his soldiers, in which he excited their martial ardor by strong sppeals to their patriotism and fanaticism. He then croseed the Danube and occupied the vil- lage of Kalefat, a post opporite Widin, which the Rassians had previously abandoned, owing to the mortality which existed among the troops. There ‘was no report to the effect that the armistice hhad reached the contending parties; but des- patches from Vienna state that, even at the last moment, Austria was willing to re ‘assume the part of active mediator, owing to recent assurances which the Cabinet had received from St. Petersburg. However, Prince Gortschakoff had left Bucharest for Krajowa, where a force of ten thousand Russian infantry and some regiments of cavalry was posted, and it was momentarily expected that the announcement of a battle having taken place would weach London. Indeed. our correspondent in that capital, writing upon the faith of a telegraphic des patch, mentions that a serieus engagement between the Turks and a portion of the Russian army had actually taken place, at a point between Kalefat and Krojowa; and also other conflicts were reported at Giurjova,a point on the Danube midway between Kalefat ard Isaktchi, where the first engagement is gaid so have taken place on the 23d ult. Krajowa is between thirty and forty miles from the Danube, situated northeast from Kalefat. The new French Envoy, General Baraguay d’Hilliers, accompanied by a brillient staff, had left France, en route fo Constantinople, to act as minister and mili- tary representative of the Emperor Napoleon at the Sultan’s court. It was said that England would soon despatch an officer of equal rank, in a similar capacity, to the same @estination. It will be seen from the tabular statement which we publish that the Turkish and Egyptian fiects are by no means contemptible. The Persian Ambassador had been suddenly recalled from London. Our extracts from the foreign jour- wals furnish extended reports and a summary of this eventful drama, of the solution of which we hope to receive more decisive information by next steamer. An Italian named Paperi had caused some diffi- culty between the American Vice Consul at Ancona and the civil authorities, owing to his alleged claim to American citizenship. It is not yet clear whether he was entitled to the protection he soughtgp was merely afflicted with a mania for Koszta notoriety. The Wigan riots had not entirely subsided in Eng- land, and some difficulties had occurred between the guthorities and the “ strikers” at Blackburn. An unexpected and unusual- rising of the Black- water, Lee and other rivers in the south of Ireland, hhad caused a great destruction of property, and one of the bridges in Cork being swept away by the flood, twenty persons were drowned. Some interesting items from China, and some new views with regard to the developement of Australian resources, have reached us by this arrival. The commercial and financial news is somewhat unfavorable. The European news had theeffect yesterday of pro- ducing a decline in flour of 18jc. to 25c. per barrel, and from three to five cents per bushel in wheat. Corn was but little affected. The middling and low- er qualities of cotton declined an eighth of a cent per pound. Coflee sold freely, and close J at an advance of a quarter of a cent per pound. A meeting of persons interested in the proposition ‘to extend the Bowery to Franklin square, and widen Pearl street from Fracklin square to the Battery, was held yesterday before the Committee on Streets of the Board of Aldermen, but the parties concerned mot being prepared to discuss the subject, the consi- @eration of the matter was postponed to the 28th instant. Tte number of déaths on board emigrant vessels we have lately neticed has rectived a still further sddition. The ship Empire, which arrived yester- day from Havre, left port with six hundred and seventy-five passengers, of whom seventy three died before the vessel reached land. ‘The Board of Aldermen last night concurred in a resolution to extend the Second Avenue Railroad to the Battery, by going through South street. There was no debate. Mr. Bard offered a resolution, which was appropriately referred, directing the Comptrol- ler to advertive for proposals for land on which to erect a building to be known as “Fiiemen’s Tall. Further particulars of the recent flood in Connec icant may be found in another column. A young female jamped overboard from one of the Hamilton avenue ferry boats on Wednesday evening: and was drowned. Every exertion was made to res cue her, but without success, By the proceedings of the Board of Eduzation on Wednesday, it appears that the amount required for the purpobe of meeting the current annual expenses— etecting buildings, support of schools, salaries and incidental expenses—is $624,268 48, Our Washington despatch states that information has reached the State Department, relative to the eas of Captain Gideon. Mr. Belmont writes that a p aroes rystem of officiel despotism is practised at Deni WIS, wd Nat ae testes! of putts eoiglabed Wibed The Datch authorities prete od to have found among Captain Gideon's papers @ letter from our govern- ment granting him a reving commission. This is de- tion froin a nephew ef the late Daniel Webster, written ment at the Hague, it, is said, will thoroughly seru- | tinize this matter. Many members of Congress hai | wr NSce Mitobell dlivered an opiaion in the Central Pars case yesterday, upon the powers vested in the | Court as to the appointment of commissioners, &e., | and nemipated the following gentlemen as Commis: | sioners of Assessments :—William Kent, Michael Ulshoeffer, Luther Bradish, Warrea Brady, aud Jere" miah Towle. The trial of John Price for the murder of Samuel Freeman was commenced yesterday, in the Court of Oyer and Ter miner. There not being sufficient evi- dence to convict the prisoner, the jury rendered a verdict of “Nes guilty.” ‘The raost awful conflagrations which we have, for a long ‘tinve, been called upon to record, occurred in our city yesterday morning. About half a million of | Gollars were swept away ina few hours, and at the | same teme hundreds were left without employment and witheat homes. These disasters may be summed up as ‘follows : Loss ‘by the fire in Washington, Jane, and Troy streets $128,000 uber of families rendered ; amber of men thrown out of employm Lose by the fire at foot of Fast Twenty-ffch treet, about . ‘ance probab mber of buildiogs burned, i 9 Number of men thrown out of employment fully., 1,000 Great credit is due the police and fire departments, for their zealous efforts to confine the disaster to the smallest limits possible. We give fall particulars elsewhere. The jury in the case of De Corn, charged with the murder of Eugene Melville, at a late hour last evening rendered a verdict of “‘ Manslaughter in the third degree.” George Lake, the man sentenced to be hanged at Poughkeepsie this day, for the murder of his wife and two infant children, will not be executed,a stay of proceedings having been granted by Judge Barculo. A copy of the legal document will be found else- where. On our inside pages may be found a report of the Festivalof the German Hebrew Benevolent Society; ap account of an affray on a Western steamboat; more about the alleged fraud by election inspectors; target excursions; a letter from Mr. W. C. Late, about the Pacific Railroad; Court Reports; Coroners’ Tnquests; Police, Naval, Personal, Commercial, Financial, and Mining Intelligence, &., &c. s ‘ cai 3 Sen8 z Action of the Senate and Congress upon the Spotls Cabinet. Franklin Pierce has been living in an utter delusion for the last eighteen months. He has seen everything through a medium of such re- fracting power that the most simple events have appeared distorted to his eyes. Men and principles have assumed an untrue aspect ‘as he examined them. His own opinions have shared the general metamorphosis, and he must often have been puzzled in trying to reconcile his acts to himself. Looking calmly over the events which have marked time since June, 1852, he must often rub his eyes and wonder whether the past is a reality or a dream. We who know how painfully real it was, | any ecruples he may have had, He resigned himself to the belief that his good friends, ' Marcy, Dix, Van Buren, and the rest, knew more about it than he did; honestly regarded Providence as, under them, the means of his | elevation, and prepared to govern on the hasis of their assertions. ke His Cabinet was chosen in perfect accordance with the theory. The coalition which he was told had elected him, being composed of men of all parties and all factions, he called all iu to share the public plunder alike; and the Balti- more Convention being profeseedly a mere scheme for defeating the whigs, and monopolis- ing the public patronag@, Si selected his officers on the sole basis of a fair distribution of the spoils. How could he act otherwise? All this while he was living in the grossest delusion that ever muddled human faculties. Marcy and the others kept constantly before his eyes a false picture of the country and public sentiment, and never allowed him to see an inch further. A man of more independence would not have allowed himself to be so hoodwinked, for a week; but Gen. Pierce’s character is confiding, and his suspicions are not readily aroused. He saw what was put before him by his official tyrants, did as they bid him, and nothing more. There is at tength a chance, at this eleventh hour, of seeing this fatal delusion dispelled. Marcy can hardly conceal from the President the facts of the New York election. He can hardly deny that he and his colleagues took a side in the contest, staked the credit of the ad- ministration on the issue, and were ignomini- ously defeated. He cannot prevent the Presi- dent perceiving that in this Empire State, the opponents ot his Cabinet are to its supporters as three toone. Nor can General Pierce help teeing how palpable a contradiction this glar- ing fact gives to the stories with which his mind has been poisoned during the last eighteen months. He cannot blink the prospect that when Congress meets, members of the Senate will rise and charge him with the faults of his advisers, and that Congress will contain four opposition members for every supporter of the administration, These are facts so glaring, so unmistakable, that nothing ‘short of sheer blindness could fail to discover them. The question, therefore, is, will the President boldly shake off the delusion under which he has been laboring? Will he anticipate the storm that threatens him by taking measures to repair the faults he has committed, and re-constitute his Cabinet on a sound basis? Will he spare the Senate the trouble of cancelling his nomina- tions, by taking the lead inso necessary a mea- sure? Will he act, in short, in such a way as will show to the people of this country that if he has erred in the past, it has been through error, and not from set purpose, and that the confidence they placed in him has not been en- tirely thrown away? Commercial Intercourse with Japan, and British and American Policy in the East. The Singapore Journal of Commerce, of the may perhaps succeed in solving the problem. Wher the democratic convention assembled at Baltimore, there was no politician in the coutry who had less hope of a nomination than General Pierce. By what juggle his name ultimately emerged from the ballot box, we all know; and we have the Preaident’s own word for asserting that no one was more surprised by the event than himself. Astonishment leading to inquiry, General Pierce committed his first error. He believed that his nomination was due to the regard in which he was held by the spoils seekers assembled at Baliimore, and lost sight of the fact that they had chosen him herauso they could not agree upon any other man, and be- cause each faction there represented confidently hoped to make him their tool if he should be elected. The delusion began here: we shall see how it grew and acquired fresh strength. As the canvas progressed, public sentiment began to pronounce itself for Pierce. This fact he again misinterpreted, attributing it to the influence of the combined spoile-seckers Marcy, Dix, Van Buren, &c.; when, as any impartial observer could have told him, the circumstance was wholly attributable to the strong current of public opinion on the Compromise question. Had Marey, Van Buren and Dix opposed Pierce, instead of supporting him, the result would still have been the same. But General Pierce, in his incurable blindness, saw nothing of this, and overflowed with gratitude and pledges to those whom he regarded as the authors of his popu- larity. Finally, the election came, and his tri- umph was overwhelming. This was the culmi- nating point both of his popularity and of his delusion. Surrounded on all sides by friends who crammed him with tales of what had been done for him by corrupt coalitions of men of op- posite principles; constantly reminded that after Marcy and Van-Buren, his success was due to the Baltimore Platform and Providence; and being, in plain words, a simple minded man, of small political experience, and judging of the word from what he saw in the little State of New Hampshire. General Pierce fell fairly into the trap, and laid his own reflecting faculties on the shelf. His thinking was thenceforth done by the coalition of spoils-seekers. He never tried—or if he did, he soon abandoned the al- tempt—to reason out for himself the real causes of his elevation from the rank of a petty lawyer in Concord to that of President of the United States, or the realjwill and purpose of the people in electing bim. {t may have flashed upon him at times that he had done nothing to merit so striking a compliment as his nomination, and that the fact might possibly be due to the ease with which the wire-pullers thought he might be managed. It may also have occurred to him!’ in idle moments, that the un- paralelled unanimity of opinion which elecicd him could hardly be due to the collective exer- tions of a parcel of men who, individually, had no influence to speak of. He may have glanced at the platform which he was told had done so much for him; and seeing what a close resem- blance it bore to that of the whigs, he may have wondered how the same sentiments should ensure defeat in the one case and triumph in the other. He may even have allowed his thoughts to wander back to the scenes of 1850, and wondered whether the great contest which was then terminated by the patriotism of Cal- houn, Clay, Cass, and Webster, had not had something to do with his success. We say, these thoughts may have crossed his mind: for it is possible that the delusion in which he set out may have held too complete a sway over his faculties to permit any indepen- dent exercise of reasoning power. If he ever did indulge them, they were promptly checked by the Baltimore epoils scekers and their friends. He was told daily and hourly that the Balt- more platform and the Baltimore coalition had elected him, and that no other principle and no : 39. ¢ nm y Y * y i" " a; tb what has vider wie bid bad Laud od, The pose yeu f the wiye vs nee power wee gome Wy. On the | abe over wune ye uunm but io rob them of thelr righte? | 16th of August last, in adverting to the Ameri- can expedition to Japan, takes occasion to soothe the apprehensions of British subjects in the East who “talk about American East India empires in China, Japan, and heaven knows where.” The editor corrects “ the erroneous views enter- tained respecting the probable course of Ameri- ean policy in the East,” by assuring his readers that there are ‘‘insuperable difficulties” in the way of America following the example of her great parent, in making settlements and found ing colonies beyond the American continent. The chief difficulty is that the constitu- ticu of the TInited States dues not ad mit of colonies, like the British empire, and the American republic can only absorb territory contiguous to it, such as Cuba or Merico. According to our East Indian con- temporary, therefore, annexation by trade is the only annexation England has to fear from the Yankees in those distant regions; but, he adds, there is nothing she has to dread so much as commercial rivalry, and John Bull will leave nothing undone to prevent Brother Jonathan surpassing him in that direction. The Singapore Journal is right. A war of commeree between the two nations has fairly commenced in the East. The struggle for the as- cendancy will be carried on with all the charac. teristic energy and skill of the great eompeti- tors, and the contest will be watched with in- tense interest by the inhabitants of both hemis- pheres. Onthe American continent not only the political power but the commercial sway of England has gradually dwindled away to the shadow of what it was, while the young republic has taken her place, and asserts its supremacy over land and sea. The acquisition of California has now directed American enter- prise to the islands of the Pacific, and to the shores which lie beyond that ocean; and the daring spirit of Yankce progress, following ‘the star of empire, which westward takes its way,” till it travels around the globe, and rises in the east, has invaded the commercial domains of England in the Eastern hemisphere, where her “meteor flag” has so long “terrific burned,” as the emblem of undivided rule, and the sign ofa maritime power on “whose possessions the sun never sets.” The war is now, therefore, carried, not into Afvica, but into Asia, and the battle fields will be China, Japan, Siam, Corea, Cochin China. (or Annam.) and perhaps India itsel{having in all a population of six hun- dred millions of human beings, or about two- thirds of the inhabitants of the earth. Whether the union-jack shall soon pale be- fore the star spangled banner, in this contest of merchandise, is a question that remains to be solved. We shall anxiously look forward for intelligence of the conquests of our trade in the East, and shall be sure to inform the readers of the Henatp of every new acquisition. Much, very much, depends on the pending negotiation with the Japanese Emperor. We have made a good beginning in China. Let it be followed up by abold etroke in Japan. The great diffi- culty there, is to get in the point of the wedge. What is wanted is a combination of audacity and prudence. Only let America gain a foot- hold in the Eastern Archipelago, and she shall have a fulcrum upon which to rest a lever that will move the whole Eastern world, Let her foil In that, and her progress will be greatly im- peded, retarded, and embarrassed. The im- portance of success, thergfore, in this enter- prise, can hardly be overrated. Japanis the key of the Hast, just as much as Cuba is the key of the Guif of Mexico. The nations that are most interested in the opening of Japan are Holland, Russia, Great Britain, and the United States. Holland is al- ready in partia) possession; and if she has not become much more liberal than she ever was before, will do her utmost to keep all the others ont. Thie she can only effect by diplomacy, as whole, she Wo ald probably be a gainer by the opening ofa’,] the ports of Japan to all nations; but she hary not yet learned the policy of free trade. The Ruesian empire being in the imme- diate Vicinity of Japan, the government of St. Peter eburg naturally desires commercial in- tere gurse with those islands; to Eng- lwad, who has so established her power in India, and recently extended it to China, (both countries being. adjacent to Japan,) a treaty of commerce and amity would be still more desirable. Russia and England (particu- larly the latter) are the two nations who have most power to coerce Japan, but have not yet tried their hand at that game, and probably never will. England—the strongest and the most interested of all—would no doubt be very glad to participate in the advantages of this trade, without any expense on her part, if the United States, either by a tremendous sacrifice of blood and treasure, or by the arts of diploma- cy, should succeed in bringing the Japanese to reason. She believes in the doctrine that half a loaf is better than no bread. She will there- fore remain with folded arms, biding her time, tillthe opportune moment arrives for stepping in as a disinterested mediator, in the event of difficulties between the Americans and this island empire; or, in the event of a diploma- tic triumph on the part ot our agents, she will come forward asaclaimant of a share of the spoils, which cost her nothing to win. She will thus play a safe game. If the Americans suc- ceed, she expects to be a gainer. If they fail, especially after hostilities, she will not bea loser, but in one important sense a gainer, for so far the lustre of the American prestige would be dimmed, and the English escutcheon would look all the brighter by the contrast. It is therefore preity much like ‘heads I win, tails you lose.” She cannot succeed by diplomacy, .and it is very doubtful if she could sueceed by war; but from American enterprise she expects something. Almost all that could be effected in the way of hostility would be to destroy such of the small craft of Japan as came within range, and some of her ports by the guns of the frigates, or. by throwing shells into them. This would accomplish little or nothing practically, for Jed- do and Miako—the two capitals where the two emperors reside—could not be touched. Jed- do is a seaport; but from the shallowness of the water, no ship of war can come within several miles of it. The Japanese have no foreign commerce, and care for none; and therefore they cannot be injured at sea. They have no shipping to be destroyed, for the policy of the government being to keep the subjects of the empire at home, they are not permitted to build ships that could trade to other countries. They have only such small barks as they use around their own coast. These people, therefore, can live as well as they do now if all external com- munication were cut off from them. On the land it would be ridiculous to bring the small force that could be mustered at euch a distance from home, against a warlike, brave and hardy population of thirty or forty millions, with an immense standing army. Diplomacy, therefore, seems to be the only course left open; and though that will be found extremely difficult, the United States for many reasons has the advantage over all other na- tions, and particularly England, in making at- tempts in that direction. It is true she has already tried her hand in diplomacy there, with but indifferent success ; but there is no knowing what may be achieved by patience and perse- verance. The first great advantage an American po- litical agent possesses over other diplomats, and above all over a Rritish diplomat, in nego- tiating with Japan, is to be found in the consti- tution of the United States, and our practice and history in reference to colonization, which is diametrically opposite to the career of Great Britain. The British go- vernment, with the aid of a great standing army and a powerful navy, conquers and takes possession of distant territories upon which they have no claim, and which have done them no wrong. They make them tributary, despoil- ing and plundering them with a strong hand, as in the case of the natives of India. In fact, they govern them by military despotism. The American republic had its foundation in re- resistance to this colonial system of England, and therefore its constitution is framed upon an- tagonistic principles. No express provision is made in the constitution for even acquiring ad- jacent territory not belonging to the United States; and in the opinion of Jefferson, there was no constitutional power to make the treaty for the acquisition of Louisiana, But the President and Congress approved the act, and the nation acquiesced. The power is an implied one, and is an incident of sovereignty not at variance with republicanism; but to subjugate a people is hostile to democracy and the Declaration of Independence, which pronounces all men to be created equal, and to be endowed by their Creator with liberty as their inalienable right. If the American people, therefore, annex any territory, it becomes part of the republic, and shares all its rights, privileges and immunities, just as much as the original thirteen States; and whether the acquisition be part of this continent or an adjacent island, it must be sufficiently near to the States already constituting the Union to harmonize with their action, come under the operation of the federal law, and be connected with the country by geographical position as well as by political compact. Japan, there- fore, has no cause for fear in comiag into scontact with the Americans. They cannot an- nex a territory so distant; and if they could and did, it would be on a footing of perfect equality, and without interfering with her State rights or local laws. They would merely require as a bond of fellowship that she should have a re- publican form of government, and that should be the free act of her own people. Thus. instead of sustaining injury, a State annexed to the American republic derives the advantage of the powerful protection of the confederation without being made a vassal or tributary, or losing any of its sovercign rights. How different from all this is the British system and its effects, as exhibited in India.and where- ever English rule prevails! From the days of Lord Clive and Warren Hastings down to the present time, the history of India has been stained with rapine and blood, and treachery and cruelty, and every crime denounced in the decalogue. Both these worthies were im- peached before the House of Commons in vain, and the eloquence of Burke and Sheridan was lost upon Parliament, though the atrocities charged were proved as clear as day. What raid Dr. Bowring, the present British consul at Canton, thirteen years ago. at a meeting in London for the purpose of relieving the wrongs of India? We are called together to consider the interests of 180. 000,000 ot fellow subjects, Roglan 4 long We boast that we are a civilized, a religious, an instructed ration. What of all these blessings have been conferred upom India? The inhabitarts of that fine, that noble country, are not to be compared even to the Swiss upon his bleak and barren mountains, We are & large com mercial country; but we have never extended the umsa ining and civilizing blessings of commerce to fudia. This isan sgricultural nation. What » picture does India pre-eot! Possessing boundless tracts of land, with every shade of climate, fit for the best productions of the earth, yet men perishing by thourands and hendreds of thou sands from famine, while the storehouses of the East In- dia Company are filled with bread wrung from their toil by # standing army. We have boasted of our religion. Have we imperted any of it to the nations of India? We profess to be a well-governed nation, and to be well acquainted with the principles of liberty, which we highly prize: but we have not given that liberty to Ia; dia, We have not even made justice accessible to them* So far from imparting commerce te India, we lihve ruined that which abe comufeneed before. It is not many years since India aupplied almost every Euro nation with cotton cloths. Now, we supply her with our fabrics. In 1837 famine in India swept off halfa million of people, and it was brought on chiefly by robbing the population of the produce of their soil, to fill the coffers of the East India Company. Multitudes starve every year from the enormous land tax. During these famines thousands sell themselves and their children into slavery for bread, to prevent their dying by starvation. Yet the United States is taunted by the British with negro slavery—a legacy left this country by themselves. The demorali- zation of the people of India—men and women —by the British army and the officials, is too notorious to admit of controversy. All this grinding tyranny and ennual decimation of the people, and all this immorality and proili- gacy, are perfectly well known to the Japanese authorities, through the Dutch; and therefore they want no connection with the British em- ire. r Again—the history of the Chinese opium war is known to them, both through the Dutch and the Chifese themselves—a war the injustice of which can be only paralleled by its novelty—a war tocompel an unoffending nation to take poi- son prohibited by their own laws. The poor Ce- lestials lost 20,000 men in the struggle, and had to pay $21,000,000 to the British government. Such is the prostration of body and mind pro- duced by opium—far worse than the most beastly excesses in intoxicating drinke—that even the British Commissioner, Mr. Martin, ap- pealed to the humane feelings of the Queen to put an end to the horrible traffic, by which the average existence of men is reduced to four years, at the end of which they die a miserable death, When this opium conquest was completed, Sir Henry Pottinger proposed to proceed to Japan to claim satisfaction for re- ceived insults, and to demand admission for British ships to those islands on terms of mutual mercantile advantage! But the Japanese Emperor, taught by the fate of China, took the right view of British reciprocity. At the time of the Chinese war, the King of Holland, frightened by the conquests of the British, and fearing that they might extend them to Japan, and drive the Dutch altogether out of the trade, wrote to the Japanese Em- peror advising him to anticipate the blow by ex- tending to all foreign flags the privileges of trade hitherto enjoyed exclusively by the Dutch. In rejecting this advice the Emperor wrote in reply that the results of the Chinese war taught him a very different lesson, and that was, that there was no safety but in the rigorous exclusion ot the foreigners. Such was the reasoning of the Emperor of Japan; and on this point, we say American diplomacy has a tremendous advan- tage over English. Another ground of hope s, that there is no prejudice against the Americans, as in the case of the British. arising from past insults or hostilities to so unforgiving a people as the Japanese. The manner in which Commodore Perry was received is a proof thatthe Cnited States is regarded with more than ordi- nary favor; and this augurs well for the tuture, if nothing should occur to stir up an unfriendly feeling. Still, mere courtesy from so polite a people would be a very deceptive basis on which to rest the probability of a favorable re- ply to the letter of the President. The great point tourge upon the Japanese Emperor is the humanity. justice, and mutual advantage of American intercouree, as compared with that of the European powers. But from the impossi- bility of gaining access to his presence, and the uncertainty of even communicating with him by writing—the officials being justified by law in intercepting all intercourse—it is no easy matter to present to him or his ministry a fair statement of the case. The Dutch. too. have got the ear of the authorities, and will not be very likely to promote the American cause. Add to this the difficulty of the language, which an old missionary of the Jesuits once said Satan himself had invented, in order to obstruct the progress of Christianity in Japan, and it will be evident that the task of opening that empire to our commerce will require a rare combina. tion of firmness and skill, courage and tact, on the part of the agents of the American gov- ernment. Ovr Prosrgcts or MuniciraL Rerorm.—The more we examine and reflect upon our chances of obtaining any decided improvement over the old system of city government by the new char- ter, and the new corporation clected under it, the less faith are we disposed to place on the realization of those desirable ameliorations, The Journal of Commerce had an article, a few days ago, on this interesting subject of good city government, in which that journal recom- mended the organization and building up of a clique, or party, outside of the corporation, to control and influence its proceedings. It was the attempts already made to bring the city under the improper influence of the corporation which have produced the difficulties with all the preceding reform movements; and it is only by a full. fair and comprehensive discussion of every measure introduced into the body, and by the action of public sentiment upon it. that we can gain any reform in the corporation. But there is no great cauge for expecting any im- provement to take place in our city govera ment, and we should be very agreeably disap- pointed, indeed, it any marked change for the” better shall be manifested. The great difficulty in the way of good mu- nicipal government in New York has been ‘in- creasing of late years, in consequence ot the in fluence of demagognes and the multiplicity o the executive heads of the city. The corpora- tion, under the new charter, is possessed of merely legislative powers; and the executive power it is much more important to have vested in the one chief magistrate is divided among a number of different departments, each indepen- dent of the other and of the corporation. The Mayor possesses one species of power, the Comp- troller possesses another,and the heads of the dit. ferent departments have specified powers of their own. From this,then,can result nothing but disor- der, confusion, and evil. The action of one may, and does, neutralize that of the other, Aud, indeed, we have a manifestation of the effect ot the system in the entire management of city af- fairs. and inthe clashing of the different an. | thorities and the ¢iffereut departments, This | is an anomaly in the government, and can never turn out well. We are, therefore, forced into the conviction that all the ery for reform waa positive humbug, and that they who believe im. it will find themselves egregiously deceived. Tus Russ Pavement—An ExrraorpinaRy Drciston—The decision recently made in the: Supreme Court. in this city, confirming the in« junction granted against the prosecution of the Russ pavement in the Bowery, lays down a principle of law which, were it sustained, would neutralize the action of this or any other legis- lative body to which it should be applied. This principle is, in effect, that a tax payer has « right to object to any contract made by the city government; and that such objection os complaint is sufficient grounds for a court ta issue an injunction restraining the carrying into effect of the contract. This puts it into the power of any individual to paralyze the ac- tion of the city governmeut, and to render mu- nicipal legislation » nullity. Such a legal de- cision is not only opposed to common sense, but, according to the best authorities,is at vari- ance with the daily recognized principles of common law. However, we must be prepared to receive some strange legal decisions from time to time, owing to the mode by which Judges are now appointed. The popular election of Judges has. always been considered by the most liberal minded men as a very doubtful system under any form of government, but more particularly under a democratic form of goverment. The practical application of such a system in this city is even more objectionable than the principle. In general terms, how are judges nominated in the city of New York? By committees selected by a few individuals at grog shops. These nomi-~ nations have been. heretofore, generally pretty fair, owing to the influence merely of past his- tory; but these traditionary influences will soon be destroyed before the more powerful in fluences created by little conventions held in different parts of the city, and ruled by some grog shop politicians. In fact, the popular election of judges can only be well carried inte effect in a thoroughly virtuous community, where nothing but morality and good sense can operate. Now we know, in political affairs, how much grog shop influence prevails in alk nominations; and as a natural consequence, we must expect to find in course of time, in all legal decisions, some characteristics indicative of, and referrable to,the system by which judges are now appointed to office, That of the Su- preme Court in the Russ pavement matter is one of the most extraordinary in our recollec” tion, AnNoTHER REVOLUTION IN THE ISLAND OF Cvsa.—There are a great many rumors in cir- culation in reference to the island of Cuba, and the foreign invasion and internal revolution which is ready at any moment to annihilate Spanish dominion there. We do not believe, however, that there is the slighest real founda- tion for such reports, or that Queen Isabella or Captain-General Canedo may entertain any very serious dread of their being verified. These rumors are all sham, and are only got up to influence in a particular manner the deli- berations of the next Congress on the question. of Cuba. The English Opera. The ‘Crown Diamonds” was of course s triumph for Mme. Thillon and the English company. The weather was unfavorable, and many who would have bsen glad to. hear her stayed at home; but the house was full, notwith- standing. and seats could not be had after the curtain rose, Even the bannister of the gallery staircase was at _ a premium. Were the English company to remain longer with us, we should risk a criticism on the chorus and or- chestra, which were by ne meant a la hauteur du jeutr. The prayer at the close of the first act—usually so effec. tive and pleasing—was destroyed last eveniog, by tho wan? of voice on the part of the singers, and the superabua- dance of sound on that of the instrumentalists. It is really a fine piece of music, and deserves @ more careful render- ing. Mme. Thillon herself, was what we have always seen her. “Catarina,” is perhaps her best part. It would ine deed be difficult to display more grace and coquellerie in the acting, or a sweeter voice in the vocal'portion of the role. One could listen for weeks, to her “Children of the Night;” and few gallants would follow the example of the noble Spaniard, if the adieux of their lady-love wero uttered in as touching @ tone as thatin which the beauti- ful “Adieu, Senor,” was sung’ last evening, We shall have no opportunity of speaking of Mme. Thi!- lon for some months to come. As we said the other day, she is off to the land of gold. Californians are used to bo as free and easy in the disposal of their treasures, as they re earnest and persevering in collecting them. Should they confirm their reputation in this respect, we may ex- pect our English cantatrice to return some months hence, with a tolerably heavy bag of dust. Broadway Theatre—Mr. Anderson as. Lear: Mr. James Anderson played ‘King Lear” atthe Broad: way theatre last evening. The elements were not propi- tious for » full house, and the theatre was only half filled. Mr. Anderson is an actor of practice—not of genius—and he acts more for effect than to give a natural rendering of the bard’s creation. When we say this, itis founded upon the premise that Mr. Anderson studies the charac- ter which he is to play analytically, and then selects the good situations in order to impress the unthinking with the opinion that he isa great actor—leaving the judi- cious to “grieve,” or do anything else.that may bess please them. This is one of his greatest faults, and in no character is it more prominently displayed than in that under our notice in this article. The character of Tea> is in some degree metaphysical—that is, it is so finely drawn that deep thought is required to penetrate its idio- syneracies and eliminate its beauties. Mr, Anderson’s. Loar was @ feeble old man in physique, with an as- tonishing strength of lungs, and one who was en- raged uyon slight occasion, but way » very mild specimen of @ ‘dragon’ when there was real caure for anger. The firet two acts displayed some vigor and power, and the curse upon Goneril, (finely done by Mrs. Abbott), would have been capital, had it not been for Mr. Ar derson’s over straining at un-important words, inorder to be effective in declamation. Rage, too, or “wrath,” as the writer has it, is much more to be foared when it is deep, than when its possessor emits {t in the shape of windy vehemence. The speech in the first act, “Detesied Rite,” &c, was better read than anything else of Mr, Anderson's in the play, and therefore deserves meni tion. He, in common with many other players that we have “seen play, and heardjothers praise, and that high. ly,” seems to forget that in Shakespeare, and more espo~ cially in “‘Lear,”’ the people desire to hear the roble lan. guage of the author, and have a right to demand that the. actor shall give it to them plainly and fully, without shouting, vehemence, hoarse choking, or whining. We consider his acting of the long scene with Goneril and Re- gan a misconception, The language does not show that he succumbed to his children, and, with the old fire of majesty, the old habits of command, and that dignity (which at that time could not have been broken, because there had. been nothing to break it,) he would have been more likely to have expressed himself as ap angry father and an outraged king, than to bave read the lines with ap affectation of pathos, which was strongly in contrast with his vigor in the denunciation] of Cordelia, which. had preceded it, These remarks will apply equally ao. well to the remainder of the play. Ho transformed the parsionate, fiery king into a lackadaisical old man. Hoe might have gained the sympathy of the audience, but, except iu one or two instarces, he did not oall dowry their applause or excite their admiration. Ja the storm scene of the third act he was very weak, and Mr. Conway, who played Edgar with consider able ability, concentrated the attention of the house, Mr. Anderson's scene over the body of Cordelia was weld and naturaily rendered—aimost thefonly quiet bit of act: ing he had favored us with in two hours anda half, there- fore doubly welcome, In @ word, Mr. Anderson gaya us. “Lear” which was playod at the andienoe, which faiter with ius comparatively, aud abich was wwly modivere, when judged by critical rule, We wish that be and »