The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-08

Gated next day, through the negligence of the
guardians of the city. There is fearful respon-
sibility resting on their heads
The INVASION OF THE FoRTYsEooND HIGH
LANDERs.-The advent of the British regiment,
the Forty-second Highlanders, as announced in
the HERALD, seems to have created quite
sensation in the city. Some observations
which we published yesterday on the en-
pected arrival OF that regiment, on rous to Fort
Vancouver, Fraser river, have called forth
two letters, which will be found in another
column. One of these correspondents, who
signs himself Merchant" deprecates the idea
of the whole of the First Brigade parading on
the occasion, lest they should be put to shame by
the superior skill of famous regular regiment
of the British line. But there is no necessity
for the Brigade parading in rivalry with
British regiment-that would not be common
politeness; but we suppose they know enough
of military forms to receive a British regi-
ment in a becoming manner. The other cor
respondent, who signs himself an American
is very indignant at the idea Of celebrating
body of British armed soldiers marching through
our thoroughfares, when the same privilege was
recently denied us in the contemplated visit of
the Irish regiment to their native country"
There is slight error here: we never asked for
permission for one of our militia regiments to
visit the dominions of the British Queen. The
American government knows nothing of Irish
or German or other regiments visiting their ma
tive country as such. They may do that, If they
can, on their own hook. and with their action
we have nothing to do, unless it appears that
they intend to flibuster, and then 1t is our duty
to stop them. Questions Of policy and prudence
may have suggested to the British government
the propriety of refusing permission to an Irish
American regiment, suspected Of flibusterism,
to visit their native country though for our part
we do not see that there was much danger to be
apprehended. But when a British regiment
passes through our city on its way to British
possessions, by order Of its government, that is
q very different affair. 1t becomes then mat
ter of international courtesy; and considering
that the American and British nations are friends,
it would be the height of absurdity to raise any
objection. We venture to say that if the Seventh
regiment (National Guard) or the Seventy-frst
regiment american Guard) visited London
under the same circumstances, or even on q
pleasure excursion, they would be received there
with all the etiquette and honors due to them.
Our correspondence we fear, are disappointed
individuals, and have very contracted views.
Even if the American people and their govern
ment were not such good friends as they are
with Great Britain, it would be paltry, mean
policy to throw obstacles in the way of courtesy
and hospitality to strangers, or even enemies !;
and in this respect the writer who signs himself
an American" might learn lesson of polite
ness from semi-savages. When the Lowland
Saxon, Fitz James, attempted to pass through
the territory of Roderick Dhu, the Highland
Gael, without pass from the latter, what did
the Highland chleftain do?
He gave him Of his Highland cheer,
The bar6en'd flesh Of mountain deer;
Dry fuel on the fire he laid,
And babe the Saxon share his plaid.
When the guest was about to depart the host
politely intimated to him his danger and when
Fitz James expressed incredulity, Roderick
whistle, and, having convinced him Of his error,
escorted him safely over the border. Shall civil
lied people have less courtesy than demi -barba-
rian? The very Arabs might teach this "Ameri-
can" something he does not know. They will
give hospitality to even an enemy, but kill him
if they can after putting him fairly on his way.
During one Of the wars between the English and
the French the troops of both armies, when not
engaged, used to meet at stream which divided
their lines and take friendly drink of brandy
and water together. They were not the worse
Frenchmen and Englishmen for that, and did
not fight the less bravely next day. Let us imi-
tate their example. There is nothing lost by
politeness. The French and English troops fra
ternized in the Crimean war (; and there
can be no reason why the American and Eng
lish troops should not now fraternize after war
which terminated forty-ave years ago. The two
countries have been friends ever since, as it
is their interest and their inclination to be; and
the determination Of their troops will do more to
preserve the entente cordiale than all the diplo-
macy of their ministers.
Since writing the foregoing we have received
the report of the Board of Councilmen Of last
evening, from which we perceive that our sug-
gestion has been adopted, and that the hospitali-
ties of the city have been voted by that body to
the Forty-second Highlanders This Is as it