The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-03


the acceptance by us Of Lord Clarendon's dis
avowal, on behalf of HE government, OF any
intention to violate our laws, have at length
definitely terminated the yeXsd enlistment
controversy. That, indeed, is now almost an
old question. However the proceeding on
our part may be received, the main question,
at least, has been disposed of. The only mat.
ter of serious difference remaining between
the two governments is that which arises, in
fact, out Of the true construction to be given
the Clay ton Bulwer treaty, which, perhaps has
Just been solved 10 Central America by Gen.
Walker and his victoriea That difference, if
we regard alone the nominal positions Of the
parties, we acknowledge is radical and serious
But in reality it is only point of honor as it
stands and, accompanied as tbs affair has
been by mutual expressions of anxiety to close
the controversy in an anicable and accommc-
dating spirit, either by direct negotiation or
by the reference of the Issue to the arbitration
and decision Of On umpire, we can see no
cause for its being longer permitted to agitate
and alarm the public mind of both countries.
After good deal of diplomatic quipbling
PSSSN"2'S
Of distinct proposition by her Majesty's
government, to make reference Of the dis
pute to third Power. The attention of Lord
Palmerston has been frequently called to the
aubect in Parliament, and he has On one OF
two occasions expressed a hope that he would
soon receive the answer of the American
government. That answer is now to be found
;vn& .%%a NS w oh I'd do
two ago. Mr.. Marcy declines a reference Of
the general question, but submits counter
proposition, that the relationship OF the Bay
Islands to Honduras shall be submitted to two
competent Northumberland of science-who
shall be qualified to decide that abstract point.
The legal questions involved in the coustruc-
ton OF the treaty MIR. Marcy reserves ter nsgo
tistion, to its parties
The suggestion OF which reference is pro
posed to individuals, we heartily approve. IL
is coming down from the stills uoou which go
vernments heretofore have hoobleo shout, aud
proposes to place the matter IL difference, so
far, in the hands of men qualified 10 perform
the services assigned them. 1t is difficult to
perceive rational objection to this course.
Perhaps no class Of men are so disqualified as
sovereigns to enter into and give jud gment up
on questions Of the kind. 1t was Milton who
said, kings, most commonly, though strong
in legions, are weak at arguments, as they ever
have been accustomed from their cradle to
use their will only as their right hand, their
reason always as their left"
But Mr.. Marcy has contrived to tarnish
good suggestion by the Limitation he putsupon
its practical application. What sense or pro-
priety was there in refusing to refer the whole
matter in controversy? Was there legal
question involved? If so, why not secure its
decision at once? Are we the only judges of
law? Has Mr. Cushing reserved all the legal
acumen and honesty to himself? Was it ne
ceseary to retail the controversy, to give our
subtle Attorney General field for the exe1-
else of his technical genius?
1t is standing disgrace to the civilized
world that England and the United Sta as-
the two foremost nations in freedom, in trade
in all that can secure blessings to the human
family should thus higgle and quarrel about
matters concerning which the people of the
two countries feel no possible interest. 1t ar
CUES little to the credit of their negotiators
that they have contriyed somehow to Il ID up
from the dirty fools of diplomacy matters
of continual dispute. So far, indeed, has this
bastard work progressed-this decoy system
Of negotiation-that honorable and we'll dis
posed men in both countries begin to feel that
it has no higher origin than that of stookjob-
bng ard fortune hunting. For instance, if we
riddle the question about Central Ameri,a-if
we strike out the dignifed twaddle o. the
secretaries and come down to the naked facts
Of the case-it will be found that England cares
not a feather for her possessions there and
that the people Of the United States are abso.
lutely Indifferent to the whole matter, and for
this obvious reason that If any law is settled
on this side of the water it is that population
and not governments, must control all future
colonization-a law which the gallant General
Walker is enforcing successfully in Central
America. Colonization by governments in
this direction, is an obsolete idea. 1t was we'll
enough az an original movement, looking to
the subjugation Of great continent occupied
by hostile savages. In that sense it is hissori-
cal; but as q practical project of the present
age, nothing can be more utopan, nothing
more absurd. All this is well known in Eng
land and if it is not received in this countryas
the settled law Of our existence and progress,
it is becanse the questions arising upon it have
fallen into the hands Of political mountebanks
and traders.
What, then, is the controversy which now ab.
serbs public attention in both countries in re-
gard to British occupation in Central Anne.
RIGA? The Clayton-Bulwer treaty was nego-
tated, SO it was; and a stupid work it was.
1t manufactured legal question out OF sub
ject matter that might have afforded the politi-
clans on both sides on endless source of diplo-
matte verbiage; but it was nothing more. We
avowed the dogma Of the Monroe doctrine--a