The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-27
The Fishing Qaosti On.

TUESDAY, JULY n, 1904
The Fishing Qaestisn.
We trust the "fifty-four forty or fight
farce is not to BE- played over again by our pub
lie authorities.
The odor of nationality now has stroni
smell of Goldfish; but it will be seen that tn
first movements in the Senate in vindication o
the rights of American citizens come from re
representatives. of the sectional South.
That Presidential chowder is designed I,
be made out of this fish, appears evident from
the superabundant zeal manifested by the es
pecial organs of the Secretary of State. 1t would
be- rather a ourious turning of the tables. were
the great civilian to be- the war candidate foI
the Presidency-and that war with England
too, after his antecedsnts.
A very warlike tone has been assumed by the
particular friends of Mr.. WEBSTER, while those
of the Administration aud of Gen. ScoTT, al
well as of the Democratic nominees, seem paci
fcally inclined, though of course not bshindband
in loud talking.
The Ion correspondent Of the Baltimore Sum-
one of the Union Organizations strongest
scrbes, says
at is now too late to talk of negotiation
None will be tolerated until after Great Britain
shall withdraw her naval forces and the naval
orders under which they act, and restore the
vessels which she may have captured, while
pursuing their employments in or beyond the
limit of three marine miles from the shores of
any bays or indents on the coast" &c.
This is an echo of Mr.. WEBsrER's manifesto.
In the Senate the debate on Mr.. MAsoN's reso.
lntion of enquiry, only indicated great diver
sity of opinion, but none of sentiment on the
part of the different speakers.
None seemed seriously to apprehend war be-
tween the two countries; but the Secretary of
State evidently does design treating the matter
with decision very unusual with him-if the
tone and language Of his communications, Off
cial or unofficial, can BE- relied on. "TIe princi-
pies Of the East" are in danger, and they are no
abstractions. They comprise the "fishes" as well
as the "loaves"-and they will not only proclaim
them, but fight for them. There are chances of
SoAA'oAoA oCS"OOuS uC lliCo, UIOOO Oo once
shed there is no knowing what the consequences
might be, in despite of the designs or desires of
dipomsts. The boldness of Mr. WEBSTER in
this matter may be accounted for by the knowl-
edge of fact familiar to all who have paid at
tention to the position of England, and the
views OF her leading statesmen. The Tory
party has always been that most hostile to this
country; most obaiinately bent on maintaining
the pride of Great Britain; most inimica to us
from principle, policy and interest-chiefiy be-
cause of its protective policy. The organs of
this party have for months past been filed with
proclamations of the unprotected state Of Eng
iand and the impending danger of French
invasion. 1t is freely admitted in the most in.
tluentia and able Of the newspapers and the
Journals in articles and speeches, that LOUIS
NAPOLEON can at any time concentrate 200, 900
men on the coast of England, and by fp-~ed
uarch easily take and hold possession ,,,r<< lie
city of London. The available opposing force
which could be mustered to oppose him would
amount to but 10000 E~,n, ali told. 1t is fur
Their stated and believed, that he does mediate
such an invasion and has 80 declared, and tha
he has been preparing for it. Apprehension
rising to panic has pervadcd the public mind
England on this point for some time past, an,
IL manifests itself in every possible shape, a
every one in the habit of reading English perio
deals and papers knows.
In addition to the fire in front from France
the dread of Irish cooperation is also openl,
expressed; in fact, the Nation sternly warm
England on which side Ireland will be arrayed
should such struggle take place.
In view of these facts, of which Mr.. WEBSTER
certainly is not, and our grave conscrpt father.
certainly should not be ignorant. every one
must see and know that England would no
provoke war, nor enter into one with such
power as the United States, could it possbl,
be avoided with honor She has her hands full,
and more than full at home but it is bad states
manship TO presume too far on such circum
stances, not to speak of the generosity of the
proc eeding.
Lest we should be misunderstood, we desire
to say distinctly that these remarks are INTENDED
simply to deprecate unnecessary bullying ant
clustering. The great fault of the Secretary
hitherto, in our eyes, has been the tmidity h,
has displayed; but it often happens in sucl
cases that LUTHER's illustration of human ma
ture sptly applies:
"Human nature" said he, sis like drunke,
peassnt ON horseback, prop him up on one side
he falls over on the other"
A Happy Retert.
An instance Of Irish readiness at repar.ee oe
Cured the other day at the Capitol, which is to
good to be lost. ~ fa tale