The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-14

II is abundanty evident to those who watch the
course of events that the British government in
tends to pursue the same system OF jockeyng to-
wards the United States, in the questions regard
ing the American Mediterranean and Isthmus,
that has marked its conduct from the time Of
Chat6eld in Central America, and Of Elliott, of
white hat celebrity, in Texas.
The statesmen of England seem to be deeply
impressed with the necessity, as the organ Of
Lord Derby recently stated ''of creating a coun-
terpoise to the growing ascendancy Of the United
States" No matter which party comes into
power there, it follows the lead Of its prede-
eessors in this view, and endeavors to devise
some new trick or scheme to further this object,
and, if possible, to make it an attainment, or
fixed fact. They are equally ready to
coqnette with the fre-eating flibusters I'M
der Sam Houston in Texas, and the blue
nose flibusters of Nova Scotia; to league
with the greasers of Mexico and Central America
against the invading Yankee, or to steal Tiger
Island, Mosquito Ruatan or Greytown for them
selves under the plea that the Yankees may
get them if they do not When the entente cor
dale with France was established, they hailed it
as the omen of success in this great object and
Lord Clarendon boastfully announced on the
floor of the British Parliament that the policy of
the alliance would be one that would affect by
its unity the policy of every part of the world.
We have conviction that this impression OBJ
tains with the statesmen of England only be-
cause it has been q traditional conviction with
them, and that no man with the energy and in
dependence Of Sir Robert Peel has risen among
them TO lay down more sagacious law of con-
duct It was this conviction that led to the Revo-
lutionary war, to that of 1912. and to the hume
rous other acts of antagonism to us on the part
of England. 1t inculcatcd the idea that our de-
velopement was inimical to the interests ofGreat
Britain, and must therefore be resisted on all
sides. But there never was greater error in
fact and the minds of the people in both coun-
tries have been opened to this conviction, al
though the statesmen of England still refuse to
admit it. The greatest defence which the liber-
ties of England have at this day, and the only
one that has saved them from having been long
since overwhelmed by the despotic theories OF
continental Europe, is the fact that a mighty
people, speaking in common language with the
British and holding common theories of political
liberty had grown upi the new hemisphere. and
might at any time make common cause with Eng
land in defence of those popular rights which both
hold to be most dear. Besides this, the pract-
cal experience Of the British merchant aud the
British sailor have taught them that Britain not
only does not lose, but gains vastly by the de-
velopement of the power and influence Of the
United States
The policy which this country has ever pur-
sued in its foreign relations is one of high and
impartial justice to all, and of preference to
none. The principle that free flag makes free
goods first came from us; the practice Of intro
ducing the now universal most favored nation
clause In commercial treaties is an American
practice; the opening Of Japan and the aboli-
ton of the time honored robbery known as the
Sound dues are fruits of the American policy;
and the clear enunciation of the law that mar
row isthmuses between world-travcrsed oceans
shall he equally free to all nations. without
onerous imposts by the territorial sovereign, has
as yet come only from the United States. While
the statesmen of England cannot deny its truth
and justice, they fear that its eventual applica-
ton to the Isthmus Of Suez may endanger her
vast possessions in India.
Animated by this fear and counselled by that
weakness which keeps them within the narrow
limits Of the traditional policy we have referred
to. England still wishes to jockey in the Central
American questions. This was the aim of the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty; this was the purport of
the recent mysterious mission Of MI. Ouseley 10
Washington, and his present one to Nicaragua;
this l. the reason Of the assurance given by the
British government that it will protect Central
America from American invasion, and Why II
has gathered large feet in the waters Of the
American Mediterranean.
And the present intrigues Of Great Britain
aided now by France, who, for reasons Of her
own. fosters the fallacy Of creating counter
poise to the growing influence Of the United
States-extend over far wider latitude than
the Isthmus of Nicaragua. They embrace Cuba
aud Mexico as well, and extend TO all the repub-
lies and islands Of Spanish-America The ope-
raiions Of the allied squadrons against Venezuela
recently were not for the petty purpose Of libc-
rating Monagas, for whom they did not care
pin; but they were intended to impress upon
Spanish-Ameriea and the world the fact that
England and France now acted together in per-
feet union. The war with Russia has lulled for q
time; the rebellion In India has ceased TO
hll England with anxiety, and the diff
fculties with China are apparently end
ed The time bad come to give practical
character, In this hemisphere, to the declaration
Of Clarendon, that the policy of the Anglo-French
alliance would influence the policy Of the whole
world.
The present policy Of that alliance il to defeat
the just intentions Of this government in relation
to the Nicaraguan Isthmus. and thus delay the
settlement Of that great question. But there is