The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-02
AIaska-speech of General Banks.


The speech of General Banks, Chairman
OF the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
in the House of Representative in sup
port of the bill appropriating seven million
two hundred thousand dollars, in pur-
suance of the treaty stipulations of the pur-
chase of Alaska, or Russian America, is the
speech of statesman who thoroughly under
stands his subject. The Territory, in its pro-
ducts and commercial resources, he clearly
shows, from well established facts, is a bar
gain; but in view of an indefinite enlargement
of our commercial relations with the great
Empire of China and the Oriental nations and
islands of Asia and Australasia, lies the strength
pf his argument. In the Aleutian chain Of
lslands-part of the Alaska purchase-we have
line of telegraph stations across the North
ern Pacific to Asiatic Russia and to the Koorile
islands, Japan and China. The Chinese EN-
bsssy, under Mr.. Burlingame, and the mag
hifcent international relations to which It is
directed, are thus brought broadly into the
foreground. If the government Of the United
States would command the Unreasonable COM
mercial advantages offered the Christian world
through this enlightened Chinese Embassy, the
purchase of Alaska with this connecting chain
of islands is forcibly presented by General
Banks as one of the wisest Of measures. He
shows, too, that it is no less important in view
of the maintenance of our good faith and ami
cable relations with Russia; for while 80 long
as our present and past good understanding
Is preserved with that empire our influence will
be all powerful in shaping the foreign intercourse
Of China and japan, we shall, on the other
hand, be comparatively powerless If Russia
should be drawn over 10 England and France
against the United States in regulating the
international affairs of the Chinese and
Japanese governments.
In all these aspects of this Alaska purchase
gument for the proposed appropriation. He
gives us, In this connection, too, the best argyll
ment that has been presented, next to that Of
Minister Burlingame himself, in behalf Of q
cordial understanding with the Emperor OF
China on the basis suggested by this Embassy.
The idea of a general convention Of this sort
between the great Christian Powers and the
Chinese empire, we believe originated with
Sir Frederick Bruce when Minister of England
near the Court of Pekin. That idea has been
put into practical shape, under Mr.. Burlin-
games suggestions, in this extraordinary
Chinese mission. Mr.. Seward, in his letter to
the late New York dinner party, treated the
subject rather Hppantly, and his friend, Mr..
Evarts, in his jokes and witticisms, failed en-
tirely to grasp the subject; but nevertheless
the grand design of the Chinese Emperor will
prevail. This Alaska appropriation covers the
same idea, and so conclusive do we consider
the speech of General Banks in behalf Of the
bill that we have no doubt of its success. The
remarks of Mr. Washburne in opposition to
The purchase are only distinguished for their
contracted views. There is nothing Of the
statesman in the composition of their author,
and all that he can say against measure o.
such Importance as this will not gainsay the
fact that this territory is, and will always
be, of great value to the United States The
appropriation is but trihe, all things consid
cred. It is only few millions invested for
return of hundreds of millions In the future, al
In 1869, with the completion Of the Pacific
Railroad, the dullest scholar will begin to IN.
derstand.
Tur CuAap MovrNrxr ~ THE CRY III