Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1856-02-15
THE LONDON TINES On AMERICAN
AFFAIRS.

gratifying article this week from the Lcndon
Times on the presidents message and
American affairs generally in their relation
with Great Britain, The tone of the
article vas somewhat different to what We
had expected; and as the reflex cf popular
sentiment, which the Times processes to ex-
libet, we may infer that the people of Eng
land are not quite so Indifferent about
war with the United States as tbe govern
ment would seem to be from its strange
construction OF the Clayton Balser treaty
The people Of the United States will
unaffectedly assent TO the general argument
of the Tines upon the relations between
the two countries. And although the very
sudden and unezpected display Of amitY on
the part Of the Times following 50 quickly
upon its belligerent attitude OF a month or
two ago, might well quicken our spspleions
of some ulterior purpose, We cheerfally
recognize the more rational and respectful
demeanor which it now puts on.
Wepass over the vain glori6eation which
contemplates sthe powerful British navy
sweeping the stars and stripes from the
ocean" That operation has been tried
heretofore and with very qualified success.
But We admit the great injary that would
te eventually inflicted by the two nations
upon each other, aud the fearful destruction
that would ensue. Upou the .,encral issue,
however, we dissent from the Times. And
it seems to be tie fate of that journal Of
late to give to the world frequent illustra-
tons of the demoralizing and pervcrse
consequences of adhering to an original
wrong.
After some remarks upon the points Of
difference between the tao countries, arising
cut of the diverse construction ofthe Central
American treaty, the Tunes quotes the
Presidents message, and adds very signiG-
cantly:
"le THE President Of tie United S;atcs)
leaves the question to the diplonatists, hop
ing, perhaps, that it will one day settle
itself, or that it may receive 40 early selu-
ton from Gen. Walker
This is, of course, quite gratutlous, but
it is pointedly indicative of the couse he
Times would like the affair to take. And
whys Only because it would relieve the
British government from the necessity Of
eonceding it's manifes: if not wilful error Of
construction, and withdrawing from its In
trusve occupation of Central American
territory. The idea seems to be that il
Gen. Walker is succ ,ssfnI the difficulty
between the two governments will besettled
1 by the exclusion Of both from all occupation
and influence Ia Central America; and the
Times coofly ascribes tho hope of such a
result to the President of the United States
government has been pressing for several
years an adjustment OF the question, and has
more recently insisted upoa a cessation OF
British influence in Central America, in
conformity with the treaty, aud has itself
within few weeks past resorted to extreme
measures TO prevent the violation of tlie
treaty on the part tof citizens of the United
| States.
With these facts before It, the London
Times is unwilling to believe that the di-
plomacy-of our government is straight FOR
or is incapable of understanding that sort
of policy. Neither the government of the
| United States nor that of Great Britain
should be hopeful of a settlement OF their
difficulties by the casual interposItion oi
others; and least of al. by such an act as
that of Gen. Walker, the nature of which
none can at present unders,andingly APP
prove; and which has very possibly been
aided to some cxteatby the differences on
the Central American question between
England and the United States.
| The very next sentence 10 that we have
quoted above from the London Times is as
! follows:
s.It must DO the desire Of the civilized
world to secure the neutrality of the narrow
strip over which passes the modern highway
| between the Atlantic and the Pacifc, aud
England and the United States have q
common interest III that quarter.'
Fhis is only another phraseology for the
letter and spiritof the treaty, and is pro-
cisely our construction Of it. But We should
ike to know how such neutrality is to be
secured, and how tie interests OF England
and the United States can beba maintained
in cognsoa, 10 that quarter, If England is to
occupy to tie exclusion OF the United
States, and to exert an inaueace in any
portion Of tae territory independent Of the
United Statess The suggestion of the
Times very consely einhodies our purpose
10 making The treaty, our construction Of It
and our argument in support of il. And i
the government Of England assen,s to this
doctrine. there can be little doubt that i