The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1866-04-21
Our Relations with England.

The New York Sun directs attention
to the fact that the peculiar relations
existing between the United States and
England have thus far excited but
little apprehension concerning Their
solution, and yet the fact caaaot be ig-
nOred that the situation Of affairs is
becoming quite critical. There are
now, says the Sun, three distinct and
highly dangerous elements Of a quar-
rel between the two countries. The
first pertains to the claims Of out
Government for damages sustained
during the late rebellion by anglo-reb-
el privatecrs; the second is with regard
to the difficulty about the fisheries on
the upper coast; and the third relates
to the Fenan demonstrations now in
progress. There is danger in these
questions. 1t is true that there is q
seeming disposition, on the part OF
both Governments, to maintain friend
ly relations with each other, and it is
this circumstance that has impressed
the people with belief that all ditli-
culties will be .amicably adjusted. But
diplomatic courtesy is one thing, and
the yielding of important points in dis
putc is quite another. Now if we strip
away the ornate feature of the cores
pondence between Mr., Seward and
Earl Russell, relative to the priyateer
claims, what do we find? Our Gov
ernment says that England shaN pay
the claims in question, England says
it will not. Both parties have emphat-
ically declared themselves upon that
point, and neither can consistently
abandon its position. Many II war has
resulted from far more trivial causes
than that. In fact, this is not y trivial
matter, for there is II broad principle
underlying it which the United States,
at least, cannot afford to ignore In
the case Of the fisheries the danger is
now imminent. Our Government has
q specific claim to the right to fish any
where within one league Of the British
coast England fatty repndiates the
claim, declares That our fishermen shall
be driven from the disputed waters,
and a strong fleet Of British vessels had
been sent to these waters for the pur-
pose of enforcing compliance with the
mandate of their government. On the
other hand, the United States authori-
ties have dispatched II fleet to protect
American iishcrmcn from the threaten
cd interference, and it therefore re-
quire, but little foresight to see that
there is imminent danger of q collision
upon that question. The Fenian mat
ter is the last, but probably not the
least Of the dangers that now environ
the pace between the United States
and England. 1t is true that our Gov
crnlncnt does not countenance the
of the Fenians in respect
to the British provinces, but the latter
have lately been wrought up to Il high
pitch of excitement about an apprehcn-
ded invasion, they have expended a
great deal Of money in defensive prep
aratiolls, and the blame for all this
trouble and expense they throw upon
the United States. just now it is re-
ported that the Fcnians are really pre-
pairing for the attack, and it is rumor-
ed that the British Minister at Wash
ington has demanded that our Govern
ment shall at once interfere to protect
the provincials from the terrible Fcnian
host. There is no telling what this
matter may lead to, but there is GER
tainly an element Of danger in it. The
fact is, that our relations with Eng
land are fast assuming 4 critical aspect,
and while all the difficulties mentioned
may be harmonized, it cannot be de-
MED that there is ground to apprehend
Il rupture.-Nushaaie D;spatch.