The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-25
No Entangling Alliances with Europe.

No Entangling Alliances with Europe.
There is generally danger in over much talk
ing and in long drawn out diplomatic corre-
spondence, and Mr.. Fish has shown this in his
lengthy despatch Of September 25, 1869, on
the Alabama claims He has gone in direct
opposition to the cherished policy of this coun-
try, of making no entangling alliances or enter
| ing into no unnecessary international Obliga-
tions with the governments of Europe. From
the time of Washington, who first cautioned
his country against entering into entangling
| alliances with European Powers, and who
desired this republic to have a policy of its
own to within recent period our govern
ment has avoided entering into general treaties
having political bearing Yet our present
| Secretary of States says to Mr.. Motley. the
| American Minister at London, to be communi
Gated to the British government, that import
| ant changes in the rules of public law regard
| ing neutral rights and belligerency are desir
able, and that this has been demonstrated by
the incidents Of the last few years. Mr.. Fish
intimates, consequently, that in view of the
maritime prominence of Great Britain and the
United States it would befit them to mature
and propose to the other States Of Christen-
dom such changes in the rules Of pub
lie law. Lord Clarendon, Of course,
seized with avidity this proposition
or intimation, and remarked, that cher
Majesty's government fully agree with Mr..
Fish in considering that it would be desirable
to turn the difficulties which have arisen
between the two governments to good account
by making the solution of them subservient
to the adoption, as between themselves in the
first instance, Of such changes in the rules Of
public law as may prevent the recurrence
between nations that may concur in them Of
similar difficulties hereafter"
England and the other Powers of Europe
would be very glad to make any general treaty
on the subject of neutrality or belligerency
that would arrest the progress and destiny Of
the United States in this hemisphere, that
would tie up the hands Of our government in
such case as that of Cuba just now, or in the
case of any war for independence hereafter by
any of the American colonies Of European
nations. 1t is the very thing they want, for
they are jealous of the expansion and growing
power of the United States and fear the spread
of republican institutions and ideas. 1t will
be remembered that they wanted to bind us in
this manner relative to Cuba and other
European possessions in America by the pro-
posed famous tripartite treaty which Mr..
Edward Everett, when Secretary Of State,
knocked on the head. He spoke like an
American statesman when he declined to enter
into this treaty, because as he said, Scuba,
territorially and commercially, would in our
hands be an extremely valuable possession"
and that Gin certain contingencies it might be
almost essential to our safety" and also
because s'by the proposed tripartite treaty the
making an acquisition in the natural order of
things" Yet Mr.. Fish now proposes to enter into
a general treaty with European governments
on the subject of neutrality and belligerency
which would assuredly bind the United States
from expansion OF annexation, and which
would prevent us from extending sympathy or
giving aid to any colonial people struggling
craftsmanship which rules in Washington now.
How have the mighty fallen! How degraded
a position has this great republic assumed in
its foreign policy under the shortsighted and
weak men now at the head of the State De-
partment! But does Mr.. Fish suppose he can
bind England not to foment wars and to inter-
pose in them for the sake Of territorial expan-
sion or ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in different parts of the
STA and other European Powers will be deferred
from annexation, or from carrying out their
ambition or destiny whenever an opportunity
occurs? Neutrality will be observed Just SO
want no such treaty or alliances. We want
policy of our own, applicable to America, and
adapted to the peculiar conditions of our ma
tional position and existence. We want no
treaty that will prevent the citizens of this
republic from sympathizing with or giving
aid to any colony that may be struggling
for independence and to throw off the
yoke of an odious European despotism.
Mr.. Fish has very limited vision, and does
not comprehend in the least what should be
the policy of this country. 1t is lamentable to
think we have no statesman of larger and
comprehensive American views at the helm of
affairs
Tho Temperance Movement-A Third Party.
The temperance men Of this State have again
,,ot in cnpvan t;on ond uant;lotod N civ .