The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-01-13
Tho st. Thomas Cession In the Danish
RiRsdag.

RiGsdag.
In common with the whole American people,
we entertained the opinion that the cession of
the islands of ST. Thomas and St John, in the
Danish West Indies, as arranged for In the
sale, bargain and treaty concluded between the
Executive in Washington and the Cabinet in
Copenhagen, would be perfected on the LIST of
January by the transfer of the territory to
representative OF the United States duly ac-
credited to hand over many millions Of gold
and take possession. We were aware that
King Christian, of Denmark had accorded to
the inhabitants the right of voting by manhood
suffrage, niggers and oil, for or against, and
also of declaring their allegiance to the repub-
lilo or with the crown; but the special CORES
pOndence from ST. Thomas already published
in the HERALD induced the conviction that the
colonial citizens thus complimented would not
impede the royal wish in any respect.
We are, therefore, somewhat surprised to
learn by the Atlantic cable that the bargain has
not been ratified even yet, and that the whole
subject is under debate In the Danish Rigsdag,
The members Of the legislature in Copenhagen
having good deal to say with respect to it,
just as have our Senators. These learned
norherns appear to take the matter very
coolly and in spirit of true Scandinavian
phlegm, for our cable telegram informs us that
the debate has been adjourned without saying
when 1t will be resumed.
There is thus evidently hitch somewhere in
the matter of our West India real estate
dealings. Secretary Seward must look out for
the cause. What can it be! Has the Prince Of
Wales had sufficient interest with his royal
father in-law to induce him to repent of afford
ing us such grand naval hold in the Spanish
Main! Perhaps the Schleswig- Holstein ques-
ton is likely to be amicably adjusted with
North Germany, and that Denmark will not
require our gold. for purposes Of negotiation,
defence or war. King Christian may have
heard that we want the gold badly ourselves
just at present. and it may be he hesitates to
deplete the treasury of friendly Power or
the members of the Rigsdag may have learned
that the property has been shaken almost to
pieces by earthquakes and groat portion Of
it washed away by foundations since the bar
gain was made, and, as . matter Of legislative
conscience, may hesitate to take our CASH
specie, too, at that-when they cannot give
full value in return.
The Rigsdag had better be cautious, how
ever, and finish the matter fair and square for
if they attempt anything mean or tricky
which we do not expect-they will be
necessitated to read volumes Of CORE
spondence from Mr.. Seward and their
friends In London. Lord Stanley particu-
hrly, can inform them as to the effect of that
sort of labor. Should the learned Secretary
be compelled to write concerning the Danish
West India bargain, the dispatches will be
accompanied with maps and explanatory notes
and scientific disquisiiions on the natural phe-
nomena of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions,
submarine upheavings and the currents and
course Of hurricanes and their effects-sub-
jects which Mr.. Seward has not treated officially
hitherto. The official docum enss will also be
in duplcate-in the English and Danish Ian
guages-and the members Of the Rigsdag
must, of course, compare the RESPECTIVE texts.
OF such probable consequences the Rigsday is
now duly warned, and its members had better
govern themselves accordingly.