The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-20


in rates, which were steady.
The Central American Question and Its Pro-
posed Reference by Loro Clarendon.
The arrival of the Canada brings US another
diplomatic phase of the Central American diff
ferences between the United States and Great
Britain. Lord Clarendon, after expressing
confidence in the Britiah construction of the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty, and admitting the po-
sitiye character Of the American pretensions
on the subject declares that the London Cabi-
net had proposed reference of the matter in
dispute to the arbitration of third Power.
Perhaps no prominent State in the world is
SO badly situated as the United States is when
ferred to what is theoretically denominated a
friendly Power. The honest truth is, we have
no friends amongst the monarchs of Europe.
A third and wholly impartial and disinteres.ed
umpire is not to be found. We do not com
plain of this. Prejudices exist in all ct the
governments Of Europe against the republic.
1t is natural and inevitable that it should be
So These prejudices result from the character
of the Union, which is ceaseless enemy of
absolutism of whatever form. This enmity
is not individual, but nationalist is found in
an opposing principle--in the successful ex-
ample of people governing themselves, and
strengthening and expanding ideas Of self
government all over the world. Europe likes Us
quite as we'll as we like Europe. We lose no OPP
portunity to proclaim its tyranny, to exalt our
own freedom. England, with her free press,
is actually little more acceptable to the Cont
mental States than we are; but she has pre-
served the forms of monarchy-she is admitted
into the social estate Of kings and emperors-
her executive department is hereditary.
Now, in this condition Of things, we stand no
chance in arbitration. Our rights are sure to
with England, Russia offered to mediate be-
tween us and our enemies, and we accepted
her profered services. England declined
them. The proposed paciGcation created
lull in the storm, and the Commission at Client
was, doubtless the fruit of it. Peace followed
by mutual withdrawal of the combatanss.
We were then weak and divided, and 1t was
the latter feature OF cur affairs that stimulated
England to prosecute the war. She had strong
hopes by 60 doing Of eAecting dissolution Of
the Union.
Again, about thirty years ago, we referred q
dispute about the Northeastern boundary to
the King of the Netherlands. That potentate
lost no time in arranging the matter SO ss to
give to England all she claimed, and more;
and we had the satisfaction of finding that arbi-
tration Of difficulties of the kind mean ouly that
we shall surrender our pretensions, of what
ever character, to our antagonist. We also re-
ferred the case of the Gen. Armstrong,
difficulty originating at Fayal, to Louis Napo-
leon, then President of the French Republic.
The decision Of the umpire evolved no new
idea on the subject but clearly confirmed the
folly of such references
We are ourselves, to great extent, respon-
sible for the fact, that, as a government, we
have little or no weight with the Cabinets of
Europe. We have undertaken an exclusively
American policy, and rather discouraged all
attempts to occupy position in Europe at all
corresponding with the wealth and resources
of the republic. What has been done in the
way of making ourselves felt and appreciated
as Power has been done by private cuter.
prise, by the commerce and genius of the
American people. Once or twice we have
spoken to Europe in tones suitable to the ma
ton. When the five great Powers undertook
to combine to control the freedom of the seas.
Gen. Cass, then Envoy at Paris, on his own re-
spOnsibility uttered the threat of the United
He was feebly sustained by his government,
and its voice was thus silenced and the moral
power of its position utterly lost. Mr.. Marcy,
in the koszta case, a less formidable offence.
electrified the country by his bold stand, after
the gallant Captain Ingraham had set him the
example, and for the time was successful. But
this act of national energy was followed by
miserable time serving policy towards Spain,
howlng that the Koszta movement was one Of
those spasAs which even towards know how. az
timea, to enact 1t is thus by the unaccount-
able FOLLY OF orr own government that we are
placed in position Of utter Indifference. so
lar as the great States of Europe are con.
cerned.
Arbitration under such circumstances is less
to be preferred than an open surrender of orr
pretenslons. Besides, what is the question "a
be decided? it is the construction which Il
to prevail upon treaty lately negotiated
between England and the United States. con.
corning affairs with which neither party has
anything to do. IL is question Of govern
ment in Central America, about which there
never should have been treaty at all. Epg.
land has had plans OF colonization and con.
quest in that direction, projected, doubtless. "a
a connterpoise to the actual work of extending |
the republic to the South, and with view Of |
controlling what at an early day promised n |