The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-10
g,eessIattOu I'm Great Britain and I'm the
United states.

fJreigu mails brought detailed accounts oi 'ne
opening of q session of q British ParhamSn'
reconstructed on modern principles Inc
oueep's speech, delivered on the 10th ult', Is
the best English prototype OF fresloen'isl
inaugural, especially when, as in this instance,
Il gives the first authoritative announcsment
# the policy of new Ministry.
There is a curious contrast between the
topics Of interest and OF contemplated action
in the tive countries which is highly credita-
ble to America. Nearly all our troubles are
of comparatively recent origin, growing out
of the war, and in fair way of speedy ad-
iustment. The only permanent difficulty to
be spprehended here is the continued pres
sure of the national debt; but, at the worst, its
aggregate amount is much less than the debt
of Great Britain, and there is fair prospect
that, by the exercise Of economy on the one
hand and strict collection of the revenues
ON the other, our debt will be speedily re-
duced.
The leading, If not the only, topic OF CON-
mon interest in both nations, is the unsettled
dispute in reference to the Alabama claims.
The Queen expressed the hope that the result
Of the recent negotiations "may be to place on
firm and enduring basis the friendship
which should ever exist between England and
America" Her Ministers, however, have
apparently ceased to anticipate the ratification
of the Johnson Clarendon treaty, and there Ia
q general confession that it was idle to expect
that definite adjustment would be made by
the gormandizing ambassador of An unpopular
and expiring American administration.
Grants inaugural contains no direct re-
ference to the Alabama question, but his
declaration that if any foreign nation deals
nnjustly with us we may be compelled to pay
them back in their own coin, touches the
chord of British sensitiveness on this subject.
Our cousins across the water would find it |
decidedly disagreeable and inconvenient, lin |
case quasi Irish Republic was organized, to
have their ships captured and their COM
merced destroyed by cruisers fitted out in
American ports, yet il they are unwilling to
make a satisfactory acknowledgment and
atonement for their suspicious neglect during |
the Rebellion, they will have no just cause of
complaint If, in the future difficulties that
arise between Great Britain and revolutionists
or foreign foes, this country assumes a neu-
trality as insidious and damaging as that
which furnished Semmes with the weapons of
piratioal warfare. America has at least the |
consciousness of knowing that her suferings
from the Alabama are over, while England
feels that reparation or retribation is yet to
come
1t is on questions Of domestic rather than of
foreign policy that the strongest contrast in
the political condition of the two countries is
displayed. The Reform Parliament of 1869 is
asked to devise measures for the overthrow of
abuses which have long since been swept
away in this country, and its main business
will be to advance slowly and cautiously in a
path of progress that has long been broad
highway on this side Of the Atlantic.
In addressing the House of Commons the
Queen recommends that inquiry should be
made into the present modes of conducting
elections. This is an initial step towards the
establishment Of the system of voting by bal
lot which prev ails in nearly every American
State, and II is but the beginning of serious
effort TO reform an abuse which is here anti
quated and almost forgotten.
Reliefis next asked "for some classes OF o,cd'
piers from hardships in respect to eating"
and this clause is explained by British jour
mails to mean that at present tenants OF GER
tain classes are compelled to pay the taxes
upon the property they occupy, even when
they are liable to be elected at moments
notice, and that some landlords are base
enough to take unserupulous advantage OF
this system of legalized oppression.
Attention is then directed to "bills for the
extension and improvement of education in
Scotland" and something is said about in
creasing the effectiveness OF the revenues of
the endowed schools OF England, but the duty
of providing for popular education in the
latter country is again indefinitely postponed,
and It is acknowledged that the subject is
surrounded by SO many difficulties that it can
never be adjusted unless it ia made the lead.
ing business of an entire Parliamentary
session.
Then the House of Commons is directed to
consider the subject of bankruptcy, with
view ''to the abolition of imprisonment for
debt" Here, again, Great Britain is preparing
TO debate question which was considered and
decided here long ago.
Finally. the Queen recommends the con-
sideration of ''the ecclesiastical arrangements
OF Ireland" and this is the leading task OF the
day. The founders OF this nation made short
work of all such issues when they declared
that there should be no connection whatever
between Church and State, but Great Britain
is only beginning TO realize the monstrous
A.