New-York tribune., 1869-05-20
DIR ENGLISH RELATIONS.


of sentiment as a more conspicuous man on
this side the water, when he writes like an
alarmst We hold it not to his credit as a
studious observer of the American people, that
he should profess to believe us in state OF
mind so unhappy as to make it possible that
English residents will have to pack up baggage
and leave the country. The tone OF Professor
Smiths note to The Beehive of London hints
that this danger is perhaps, more imminent
than men in his position would like TO say,
and vet Mr.. Smith has said enough TO make
us comprehend that his sensbllitles as an En-
elishman, and one of the best of Engllshmen,
are dramatically excited. His reply to Mr. Sum-
ner. whch--with a liberality that journals of his
Country did not choose to practice toward our
eminent Senator-we hasten to lay before our
readers, shows yet more clearly how infamed
is the Imagination which seeks insults in cour-
tesv. and makes q statement of facts almost
n cause for rupture. We have too high
respect for his character as one of the most
Jealous and intelligent of the friends OF Amer
lean liberty TO wish to treat his opinions, even
if the matter in debate were far more serious
than it is, with other than the most con-
siderato respect. For all that it seems to us
he has blundered into beliefs unworthy of his
perceptions or experience. We dare testify
that while the American people fear no right
full issue with England or any other power,
they have no passion for war.
BE what it may the criticism which the En-
glsh press are pleased to make upon the inter
national charges brought forward by Mr.. Sum-
ner, he has at least thrown a flood of light,
=, of la
of claims. 1t is far from being a hopeless or in
curable symptom that the people of England are
angered, irritated, and in certain respects appre-
hensve. The time was when our own exacer-
baton was equal to this, and our power out OF
all proportion to the strength OF our sudden
impulses. We suffered some wrongs, and even
tried to swallow them in patient earnest. Now,
we are trying to right those wrongs against an
endless palaver of diplomacy. To us they are
a matter too grave for circumlocution. We are
in earnest-that is all and it is enough for ms
if we can present our side of the case with
proper and even indignant seriousness, with
out wishing to pcrpetrate the blunder of war.
Our whole case, left TO time, revenges itself.
Mr.. Summers presentation may not be
defensible on any ground Of statcs
craft, and may be considered objection
able as statcsmanship, but we are
not convinced that it will have done us posi-
tive or permanent harm. That the thinking
and feeling men of England, along with an
aristocracy seldom accustomed to think
squarely or feel keenly do find cause for irri-
tation in the views of Mr. Sumner is to be re-
gretted. but not to be deplored. The letter of
Goldwin Smith would serve a shrewd purpose
if merely calculated to elicit the truth that
the people Of this country, while in every way
self-possessed and assured, have no intention
of exciting a catastrophe. Our best wish is
that the people of England may have a sensi-
tive understanding of the matter in dispute.
and, while rating the utterance Of Mr.. Sumner
ut its right value, not ignore the eanestness of
the American attitude Mr.. Smith is none the
less wrong that we confess ourselves in earn
est. If Mr.. Summers views be pronounced SEN
tmental by the British press, those which
Mr.. Smith writes in his Beehire letter are, if
in no way too hysterical for our stout and
brave neighbor over the sea, at least i'll
informed those which he utters in his speech
of yesterday are at least ill-judged.