The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-03-14
The Lord May oi's Dinner to MIR. Buchanan
To Whom our Difficulties with England
Should be Referred.

The Lord May Oi's Dinner to MIR. Buchanan
To Whom our Difficulties with England
should be Referred.
The Lord Mayor of London invited select
circle of leading commercial men "a most sig
nifcant token) on the 9th ult., to meet Mr..
Buchanan and to testify to him, and through
him to the American people, the cordial
friendship of the British people. 1t was un
fortunate, indeed, that Mr.. Buchanan was in
vited also by the Queen, on the same day, and
was compelled by respect to her Majesty, as
the chief of the nation as well.as by courtesy,
to decline the Lord Mayors reception. These
demonstrations have suggested plan for set
Ting our dispute with Great Britain, and we
lose no time in laying it before the Cabinets of
London and Washington.
1t is tolerably clear that the Central Ameri-
can controversy will be permitted to remain
pre- cisely where it is-both parties adhering to
their construction of the Clayton .Bulwer
treaty. Meanwhile the matter in dispute is
really no concern Of England or the United
States.
Lord Clarendon has proposed to Mr. Marcy
that the differences between the two govern
ments ehall be referred to the decision OF
friendly Power, and thus the case stands and 80
it is likely to remain. 1t is not probable that
the Washington Cabinet will consent to arbi-
tration, and it is even more unlikely that Eng
land will yield to our pretensions. The dis
pute thus will become chronic, and be permit
ted, in the hands OF politicians on both sides
of the water, to disturb the commerce and in
dustry Of the two nations. Neither party is
likely to take the initiative Of war, and indeed
tits not easy to see how it can be made the
subject of such an issue in the face of the
events occurring in Central America under
our own auspices.
Meanwhile business Of every kind will con-
tinue to be conducted by the people of the
United States and her Majesty's subjects just
as usual. We shall produce and send forward
our cotton, rice, wheat flour, corn, beef, pork
and lard; and we shall receive in return the
products of British manufactures just as we
have done for the last twenty years We
shall, too, welcome to our shores great num-
bers of emigrants from her Majesty's domin-
ions, and they will become citizen producers,
good democrats, and faithful adherents Of our
political and social institutions. We shall Z
vance our frontier limits at the rate of TWEEN
ty-fve miles every year; and our enterpri 4
overlapping the federal boundaries, will ap-
pear here and there, even in Central Americ
While these are certain to be practical re-
suits on this side of the water we are equally
ready to concede that her Majesty's sub
jects will be exceedingly active and fruitful
Of good works on the other side. Against the
success Of British industry and The well-being
of the people of that country, we have never
had and never expect to have reason to COM
plain. We rejoice in their triumphs and free.
ly and gratefully acknowledge the benefits
they have conferred upon u.s. The two indus
trial nations, united in the bonds of recipro-
cal trade, have secured vast good to the hu
man family and If they are permitted to con-
tinue their works they will clearly prove that
their benifcent service has but just commenced.
It is very remarkable, too, that they are and
ever have been fast friends, ready to promote
the common good by acts Of honorable rival
ry and emulation.
Now, we propose to the Cabinets of LONDON
and Washington reference of the Central
American difficulty to the decision of the peo-
pie of England and the people Of the United
States. By the theory OF the British and fede-
raj constitution, the subject matter in diso tie
distinctly appertains to them. They are ne
only parties in actual interest-the only ! r.
ties to be affected by the decision, one way or
the other.
Central America is governed by small ma
tionalities, recognized as independent 81 les
by all the world. Neither John Bull nor Bro
Their Jonathan has any business there. Let the
people of England, then, and Of the United
States, be free to make terms with the Central
American governments for occupation and
citizenship. 1t is for the latter to fix these
conditions, and for the former to determine
the advantages and Disadvantages thereof, and
to govern themselves accordingly. Should
they be induced to become inhabitants of that
country, it may be counted on as certain that
they will greatly improve it in industry and
government. The people Of England and the
United States have one satisfaction in consult
| ing the careers of their voluntary Industry
| they have never failed to advance the cause of
civilization, social excellence, political eouali
| ty and justice
What better umpire, then, is there to decide
the matters in controversy? They will not
disagree-they have never disagreed. Are
they ambitious, mercenary or rapacious? Are
they cruel or tyrannical? The answer to these
questions is to be found in consulting the
Anglo-American population Of this continent.
Are they disorderly? They have made the
United States first rate Power, without DO.
lice, an army or navy. Are they careless of
the rights and the interests of humanity? They
have carried education, Christian instruction