The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-05
TIE Fishery Claim or To d ga ling.

Certainly the last Yankee hit upon the fisheries
question does credit to the acuteness Of the national
character As many of our readers as take an inter-
est in our Goldfish disputes with our Transatlantic
cousins VIII no doubt remember that the case made
out in favor Of the United States claims Is not what
the lawyers would call clear orc. Historically, OF
legally speaking, the claim, indeed amounts to no.
thing at all; but then the Washington diplomatsts
have arguments at their disposal drawn from gen.
eral survey Of nature and her productions The sea
is so deepthere are so many Goldfish in tit is so
want0n IN the English fisherman 70 wish for a mon0p.
oily when there is enough for all. There really is
something in all this so far as ii goes the sea, no
doubt, is deep--codfsb are many. u is pity that
the United States fishermen should 60 home with
empty ships by virtue Of q treaty. The inter-
ests are, besides, somewhat remote; 50, 10
wonder English statesmen are not ayerse TO
come TO a decision upon the matter on the
grounds of good nature and good neghborhoOd.
We are disposed to yield somewhat of strict right
just as good hnored railway traveller would yield
somewhat of his legitimate space TO corpulent fel
loS-traveler, rather than have disturbance This
is well enough; but, on all grounds Of diplomacy or
international law, the United States fishermen have
as much right TO cast their nets in the waters in
dispute as they would have : angle in the Serpen-
tire. Now, not content with their actual position,
and doing that which would appear the obvious
course under the circumstances, our friends in the
States are, it is said, about to turn their plea OF
good vicinage into one OF strict legal right. They
have introduced upon the scene the Perkn Walbeck
Of Goldfish in the shape Of sham Earl Of Stirling
This individual, it will be remembered, endeavored
TO make out his right TO the title TO the satisfaction
oil the House Of Peers, but signaly failed. Like
lonsheaded Scotchman, as he no doubt is, he
appears next to have asked himself in what por-
ton OF the world his mockery title would be
likely TO stand him in best stead. No one could
for moment doubt that the States are the most ia
vorable market for arstocratic pretcnsions If a
man with handle TO his name, the vulgar phrase
Iuns feels that he does not get SO strong dose OF
adulation in Europe as his heart would desire, let
him spend few months among the citizens Of the
H. - IN
prepared to ssbside into plain John Smith for the
Term OF his natural life. But the Earl of Stirling has
double claim to American respect. Not only is he
noblensn-or at least claims TO lie ne--but he
carries in his pocket grants Of all the Goldfish that
ever swami or will SWIM in the seas in one pOck' t,
ard probably grant OF all the egg in the
werld in the other. He bases his claim on his he
redary rights by virtue Of four charters granted in
lG2l, 1928, 1927, and 1928, TO his ancestor, Sir
William Alexander, Of Menstrie, scotland visconnt
OF Canada, Niscount and Earl Of Stirling, and Earl
Of Doyan. There is one concentration % names TO
tickle the imagination OF a republican di plOnatist
We can only cay, il our American friends permit
themselves TO be gued with these prepoterous pre-.
tensions great will Ike the Joy throughout the high
lands and the lowlan6s OF rugged Scotia. There
viii not be any conceivable class of property in any
portion OF the babitable globe to which Caedonan
VIII not make himself out to be entitled by virtue of
some grant or another. When pseudo claims are
held to be marketable ware great flip will be adj
minstered TO the ingenuity of dealers in such COM
accomplished is proved by the collection of memoirs
which were given TO the world from the Paris press
when public curiosity desired such food. Why should
not our American friends make bold stroke of it
at once, and buy up the grants given by the Pope
10 the crowns OF Spain and Portugal ust about Co
lumbns time We ourselves have claim to sove-
rei9nty over broad France; 10 be sure, some idle
persons might say that had formally given it up,
but We are not Ddisposed 10 treit with the
cabiBct of Washington for its sale. IL viii always
be competent 10 them 10 treat the remuneration as
a rulfy: indeed, good many fine things might
he said upon that side OF the question. OF course
the difficulty remains TO taking possession, but
that IL purchasers question. The Emperor Of
Austria lately mas, and may he still, Tor ought we
know, King " Jerusalem. bid for the Holy
Places inst now might be keen stroke OF business
Just - with the Fisheries. Has not the Far Of
Stirling parcbpents TO show! Besides hls MOI flr.
Robert }. Walker lately visited England and Scot
land, and has he not come 10 az opinion Jon the
Earl Of Strings legal rights ciametricay opposed
10 that OF the English Houee Of Peers, OF course
Ibis u conclusive upon the subject. Mr.. II J. walk.
er IN his proper person constitutes the prs DER ri.
bunal 10 try disputed questions relating " he E1g
lbh peersgc He i hist one may cat 4 ION. u
competent sulb0rty. Elctcd ~ his ,reat7tig IL
Grhinc Crauis nr-t. indie ~ ibvstt .lN lbb
rpgI,sb authorities Dain IT, avsD9w!ecse Mor va
lisify.