Evening star., 1870-02-14


The article in the Westminster Reriev for
January on american claims on England,
seems to be a well-meaning attempt to clear up
what it cOnceiyes TO be the mutual misunder-
standing between the English and the Ameri-
cans. The writer reviews the course of the
Johnson-Stanley negotiation; and the action of
the American Senate in rejecting the treaty,
and holds that the speech Of Mr.. Sumner which
caused 30 much evaporation in England,
should not be regretted by the friends of nal
settlement of the differences between the two
countries-that unfortunately for both countries
neither Mr.. Seward nor Mr.. Reverdy johnson
perfectly understood what their countrymen
desired, and that it was better to say the worst.
even at the risk OF giving offence, than to speak
smooth things and nurse enmity.
The Reriesr holds that the most palpable of
the American grievances have their origin in
acts committed on account Of the shortcomings
Of the British statutes, and that there is some
force to the argument of the Americans that
when these defects were made the subject of
offieial remonstrance on the part of their rep
resentative, the imperative duty Of people in
amity with them was to find in appropriate leg
lsiation a remedy for admitted deficiencies The
result OF the discussion is Simply to leave the
people Of the United States unshaken i'm the
conviction that they were wronged by Great
Britain. One allegation after another made NV
them may be shown to be baseless. vet the sens,
OF injury sustained Is neither weakened nor re-
moved. Taking these things into consideration
III might seem as If the disheartening conclusion
were inevitable that nothing can be done, and
that the two nations must patiently await In ST.
ience"a eonyeniento opportunity for settling their
dnerenees not by the pen but by the sword.n
But against this conclusion the Reriep pro-
q ~ 4r hat
played in discovering clue to the labyrinth a,
has been shown in arguing about the existence
OF the labyrinth itself, pacific settlement can
soon be reached The complaint by the Amer
leans Is one Of unfriendliness rather than de-
mand Tor money. There need be no shame the
her'eU holds, in officially admitting by them
that tne imperfection of existing laws rendered
The part played by their country towards the
United States far less friendly than ii might and
should have been. England might proftably
at the same revise her defective statutes a,
showing readiness for a lasting peace.
Both sides must be prepared to " make rational
concessions and forego inadmissable demand,.n
The Rerielc thinks that no objection should be
made to settling the preliminarles of negotiation
AT washington; since as the Senate, rather than
the secretary Of State, or even the President, is
the body to be coneliated and satisfied it is fitted
iearn what Is the opinion prevailing among the
Senator'S 1t holds, however, that . special
Plenipotentiary should be sent 10 Washington to
deal with the subject. "Of Mr.. Thornton's diplo-
matte experience" it says, ''there can be no
question; yet that Mr. Thornton is hardly fitted
for this exceptonable task is little capable of
doubt. Any treaty, having the scope and i'm
Port Of that indicated, would have to be ex-
planned aud upheld in Parliament, as well as
ratified in solemn form. A member of either
House, and, still better, a member of the Cabi-
net, Is alone capable of discharging this duty
with satisfaction to the Legislature"
The Reris- article in its canior and thought
fulness, is of some significance ia showing that
the British mind is settling do WI from the fer
ment over the abrupt rejection OF the johnson
treaty, and is getting into a condition to take up
the question again in good temper and in spirit
of fairness.