1850 American Gold Baron

Chapter 300 We won!

Before the Civil War, the United States had never truly experienced the pain caused by war.

The so-called anti-war ideas and war-weariness had no place in the United States before the Civil War.

The Americans' view of America, Manifest Destiny, expansion and conquest were the mainstream ideas in the United States during this period.

Even Treasury Secretary Corwin, the representative of the doves during this period, did not stand up and clearly oppose the American expedition to Japan. At most, he published some articles in newspapers that the expedition to Japan was a waste of people and money to show his sense of existence and show his identity.

Still supports peace.

Compared with Mexico's fierce anti-war attitude and sharp rhetoric, Corwin's performance in sending troops to Japan surprised even his former colleagues.

After all, a war with Mexico would risk spreading to the United States, but a war with Japan in the Far East would have no such risk at all.

Furthermore, the United States also needs a war to divert internal conflicts in the United States and enhance the prestige of the current government.

Corwin himself is also a member of the current government cabinet.

This is the attitude of the representatives of the upper-class doves, and there is no need to elaborate on the attitude of the hawks and the blind American people at the bottom.

Even Fillmore himself believes that it is necessary for the United States, which has little sense of presence in the civilized world, to sometimes use war to show its presence, inject a boost to the people, and enhance the country's national pride.

News of the return of Perry's East India Fleet reached Washington as soon as possible via the Baltimore telegraph wire.

Soon, a note was delivered to Fillmore's desk. There was only a very brief sentence on the note, so short that the sentence only consisted of two words: We won! (We won!)

"God bless America!"

Fillmore made the sign of the cross on his chest devoutly and jumped up from his seat excitedly.

He knew what these two short words meant and how much information they contained.

Although before the war, the people in America who knew Japan best had described to him how backward Japanese society was and how fragile the Tokugawa shogunate was.

But after the expeditionary force set off, Fillmore was still very uneasy. After all, he had never personally inspected the country, and his understanding of Japan was limited to the descriptions given to him by Liang Yao and some politicians who claimed to know Japan.

However, the success or failure of the war against this strange country depends on whether Fillmore can be re-elected.

He does not have a deep foundation in American politics, and his ability to become president is largely due to luck.

Fillmore tried his best to promote the Compromise of 1850. Although the bill eased the contradiction between the North and the South, from another perspective, it can also be understood that Fillmore not only offended the northern factory owners and capitalists, but also failed to win

Support from southern slaveholders.

In last year's presidential election, Franklin Pierce, a Democrat who emerged unexpectedly as a candidate for the presidential nomination, became Fillmore's strongest contender for the presidency.

Pierce's political resume is mediocre, and his short military career has become a joke in the American military circles. New Hampshire, where Pierce is located, has never had a president of the United States before.

Not only did Fillmore not expect that such a person could become Fillmore's most powerful competitor, but even those within the Democratic Party did not expect it.

"I want to go to Baltimore to personally welcome the triumphal return of the American army and the two generals."

Fillmore, who was overwhelmed with joy, danced excitedly in the office and explained to the secretary beside him.

"Mr. President, Mr. Liang is still a colonel."

The secretary on the side reminded Fillmore.

"He will soon be a brigadier general." Fillmore said in a very positive tone.

It is no exaggeration to say that Perry and Liang Yao were his saviors. Not to mention brigadier general, even if Liang Yao wanted to be the Secretary of War, Fillmore was willing to fight for Liang Yao.

Of course, this move was not Fillmore's whim. It was also meant to humiliate his rival Pierce and Pierce's deep Democratic Party affiliation.

Except for serving as a nominal militia colonel once, Pierce did not have any outstanding military experience, but during the Mexican-American War, Pierce was promoted to a brigadier general in the regular army.

What is staggering is that Pierce, who had been in the army for less than ten months, not only became a brigadier general, but also commanded a unit to go to Mexico to fight in the war.

Pierce had no combat experience, commanding ability, management ability and talent. Pierce not only failed to make a difference on the battlefield, but instead pretended to be ill and comatose on the battlefield. After the war, he became a laughing stock of shame in the American military community.

Fillmore is still very happy to make a fuss about his opponent's disgraceful past.

When Fillmore arrived in Baltimore by train, downtown Baltimore was already deserted.

Farmers in downtown Baltimore and even around the city spontaneously gathered at the port, waving the Stars and Stripes and shouting "Long live America! Long live the United States!"

What's more, they were holding high the portraits of Perry and Liang Yao.

As soon as the Mississippi sailed into Baltimore Harbor, Perry saw Fillmore surrounded by a group of politicians and reporters.

The military band that had been waiting at the port played "The Starry Flag" to welcome the return of the expeditionary force soldiers.

"Mr. President, our wish has come true, and the Far East has a place for the United States from now on!"

Dressed in the uniform of a naval general, with tears in his eyes, Perry stepped off the Mississippi and excitedly handed the "Treaty of Goodwill between the United States and Japan" and the "Treaty of Nagasaki" to Fillmore.

Expanding the United States' influence into Asia has been Perry's lifelong goal, and this goal has finally been achieved in his hands.

"This is an unparalleled great victory!" Fillmore praised highly after receiving the two treaties.

Then Perry turned around, held up the treaty in his hand to the crowds of people behind him, and shouted: "This is a historic day. From now on, the influence of the United States will not only be limited to the Americas, but also to Asia."

Our place in America!"

"Long live America!"

"Long live the President!"

The overwhelming shouts were like ocean waves, one after another, without stopping for a long time.

Looking at the excited crowd, Perry showed a proud smile without any concealment.

"Where's Colonel Liang?"

Seeing that Liang Yao, another hero, had not been seen for a long time, Fillmore asked Perry.

"Colonel Liang is handling the matter of garrisoning troops in Nagasaki. According to the treaty, we have obtained the right to garrison troops in Nagasaki." Perry replied.

"Thank you for your hard work on this expedition. You are all heroes of the United States." Fillmore said, "Before, I was worried that the discord between the navy and the army would affect the cooperation between you."

"Colonel Liang and I do have differences on some specific details, but generally speaking, the cooperation between us is quite pleasant. Colonel Liang is a very careful person. Without Colonel Liang's advance preparation and arrangements, this expedition would not have been possible."

It's not going to go that smoothly," Perry said.

"I feel ashamed to say that Colonel Liang is the biggest contributor to this expeditionary military operation, and I am just a supporting role."

Perry's remarks are not pretending to be modest, but are his true thoughts.

Perry even felt that even without the participation of the navy, Liang Yao could complete the expedition independently with his own abilities.

"Come on, let's talk in detail on my train," Fillmore said to Perry.

(End of chapter)