The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-21

which might be expected 70 proceed from pr0vin-
text SooR 81 The Law Of Nations; but Il IS n6sertu
nateiy allied to O great many other symptoms N q
tendency growing among nations to shelser nntena'
BILE claims under loose rendering OF pubic law.
The obligations OF the benevolent neutral and the
duties OF The friendly negnbor stand precisely Oh tne
The WEAK SIDE or TnE ENGLISH POSITION
Is one winch 1t Is open TO The President OF the
more manifest e tnal in estaoshng the Dominion
OF anada we have taken step OF WHEN We nave
not yet fully conprenendeu Tue ser,o IONS
cradle nation, with many OF tue pretehsions ana
most OF the susceptblities OF an independent state,
hut with the extraordinary peeuliarity OF making
the British empire responsible for the effects OF its
political and public action President Grant proba-
bly, shadows forth the truth when he hints that the
Canadian statutes OF which he complains were
really intended TO coerce the American Union into
renewing reciprocity Of commercial intercourse
with the Dominion.
MORE BRITISH FmMNEss REQUIRED.
The traditional policy OF the English Foreign
plants ana pretensions OF the United States even
though obviously not advanced In complete Integrity
Oi go9u la ~ may not have neen az M, ,ogeoer
Ike men, are not the better IN the long run for being
dealt with IKE vaporing bulies whose company is
not expected to be Regulated by the rules current
among gentlemen. More Brltish frnlness might
have produced more American sef.respect and
selfcomrnand. But II the practice Of giving way TO
the United States with civil bow IL TO be aban-
doned, the change OF policy should hardly be lett 10
COLONIAL POLITICIANS, however respectable
The London Times on President Grants Mes
snge.
The London Times OF the 18th deeply regrets that
General Grant should have assumed the attitude his
message appears to reveal. IL seems to be thought
In republics, well as in empires, that the most
promising means OF c0unteractng feeling OF dis
attention OF The people by discussions with foreign
Powers. II has been for some time past confessed
that the domestic administration OF the President
has not correspondent to Tie hopes entertained when
he entered upon his Office. lie would lain be re.
elected for another term when the time comes and
his message shows him gravtating 10 the position
OF General Bu'ler, ana bidding for domestic support
by mcnacing foreign Powers HIS language with
respect to the Alabama Claims does not war
rant any hope OF their settlement lie pro-
poses that the United STATES should ascertain ana
settle the claims OF individual Claimants, and should
then Keep account open untll the British govern
ment desired to make a '.Iu and friendly adjust
mentN OF thenl-unti in other words, we should he
inclined to pay in full Of all demands. Ii Congress
should accept this proposition we cannot resent q
strictly domestic act, but 10 is impossible not to
settlement, The Canadian difficulties are, happily,
in different position. They are not yet closed
against discussion and II the President is disposed
to make any formal remonstrance IL VIII be consd-
cred With tue keenest desire TO satisfy every
plant. The President asks Congress 10 empower
the Executive to meet the 'unnelghborly actsr of
the Canadian authorities by reprisals-that is, by
suspendng the passage Of goods IN bond nom Port
land to Canada, and, II necessary, by forbidding
Canadian vessels from access 10 American waters.
We shall be much surprised, the Times says, Ii Con-
gress complies with these suggestions, and think
IL possible that General Grant Aimsef never intended
them TO be accepted.