The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-23
THE NEW YORK PRESS.
EDITORIAL OPINIONS or THE LEADING JOURNALS
UPON CURRENT ToPICs-CoMP1LED EVERY
DAY FOB THE EVENING TELEGRAPH.
Foreign COmplicatIOns-hre We Ready
for Them


Ewes of the Irish republic in America" intro
puced themselves the other day to President
Johnson is in a certain sense suggestive. 1t
shows with what exceeding ease this country
might involve itself in formidable foreign
complications. single step, reclllessly
taken, might plunge US into war. We have
but to recognize the 'Irish Republic" as
bellrerent and the Fenians as lawful bellige-
rents to insure hot work with England. Nay,
without venturing upon formal declaration,
we have only to doze a little while one batch
of Fenians institute an organized invasion of
Canada or while another batch fit out pri-
vateer to prey on ocean commerce, and forth
with we shall be at issue with bnglands
power. Nothing could be easier, simpler,
surer
Or without meddling with Fenianism, is is
competent to this country to kndle the big
sest of big blazes. 1t would not be difficult to
provoke trouble with the same power by
pressing sharply the Alabama claims, or by
protesting vigorously and practically against
The objects and agencies which characterize
ahe coming confederation of the neighboring
provinces A party intent upon an aggressive
Foreign policy might readily seize either of
these questions as a ground of quarrel. Even
q party not positively aggressive, but simply
firm in the maintenance of the national honor,
may feel itself bound to so act in regard to
these questions that international unpleasant
ness, not to say embarrassment may be pro-
duced. Again, the fishery question, which
has been temporarily patched up, will reap
pear by-and-by in all its ugliness. How
shall it be dealt with Shall we permit the
young confederation to dictate the terms upon
which American fishermen may pursue their
vocation, or shall we discard the doctrine of
Nova Scotia pettifoggers and assert the right
of our men to fish within the prohibited line
On one hand, our people will not tolerate
terms which they consider both arrogant and
unjust and on the other it were folly to talk
of our rights unless we are prepared at all
hazards to enforce them.
Supposititious cases of this nature might be
multiplied indefinitely. Reference might be
made to Mexico, to prove by what slender
thread our amicable relations with France
have hung since the commencement of the
Maximilian invasion. But it is not necessary
TO particularze. The fact is patent that this
country may without much ado be called upon
TO assert its claims, to vindicate its rights to
defend its honor, as against European Gov
ernments. OF this contingency, this response
bility, we cannot divest ourselves, save at
The cost of national humiliation. However
earnestly we cultivate peace, however SIN
cerely we strive to prevent foreign Compica-
7ions we may at any time find ourselves en-
broiled. This is the penalty we must be con-
tent to pay as the price of national greatness.
Now, the query arises, Are we in position
that enables us to contemplate these contin-
gencies with composure Suppose that com
0licatons with England or France were forced
71pon us, are we as ready as we ought to be to
encounter them? Are we-putting the ques-
Gion plainly-prepared for war, as the arbitel
of international differences, probable or re
mote
The prime element of national strength in
relation to other countries is the assurance OF
peace among our own people. Fenansm, be
its frauds and folles what they may, at least
Indicates Englands most sensitive spot. just
now, Ireland is England's peril. The Irish
difficulty is her bond for the maintenance o
peace with every frst-class power. 1t weakenS
and endangers her, and it will continue to dc
so until her legislators remove the causes o.
Irish disaffection. In the same way, for rea-
sons in their nature identical, this country is
in no condition to meet external difficulties
We cannot hope to maintain a vigorous
foreign policy so long as we are afflicted with
domestic discomfort; and from this we shall
not be free, not only until the Union be re
constructed, but until it be so reconstructed
that the peoples of the two sections shall once
more feel themselves identified in interest anC
ambition. That result attained, we may bC
bold and even defiant on questions Of foreign
Dolicy. Meanwhile England is not more Grip
is this country by the condition of the Southern
States. In the case of either, war would b
waged at a disadvantage.
These considerations are not adduced a
reasons for complying with the demands @
Southern politicians. So far as they are con
cerned, we can neither parley nor cOncede
Situated as we are, the first duty is to recon
struct on q basis that will be enduring, an
Congress has decided what that basis shall be
On the plan laid down, however, the wOr
should be pushed forward, care being take
that it shall be thoroughly done, and don
promptly. But if we would prevent futur
disaffection-if we would so reorganize tn
Government, and so readjust the relations
the States, that there shall be unity and las
ing domestic peace-it behooves us to inhiC
no superfuous penalty, and to exercise II
greater severity than is absolutely necessary
Confscate sweepingly, and the Unite
States will be burdened with an Ireland on
large SCALE Irritate needlessly, exert you
authority wantonly, impress the people wit
a conviction that they are the victims of a n
Tentless conoueror, and puny Spain migl
defy the republic with impunity. OF cours
the mere politicians will be dissatisfied und,
any scheme which the North may impOs
But it is possible to separate the great body
the Southern people from the small body
Southern politicians; and the accomplishing
of this object should be borne IN mlnd wh
applying the reconstruction policy II we a
mot prepared to forego our pretensions as
Leading power, and TO modify our foreign poh
10 suit the purposes of others, we must 1
neglect the opportunity of winning back I
respect and attachment of the millions wh'
we have forcibly brought under the author
of the Union,