Oregon Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1870-1872, 1871-03-11
PEACE COMMISSION.

ing the settlement or difficulties existing
between England and America, arising
from acts committed during the late
civil war, and known throughout the
country as the g Alabama claims" We
arc gratifed to learn that these claims
are in fair way for settlement; and
although there is not doubt bnt that
England has the decided advantage In
Commissioners as to special learning
and diplomatic experience, yet we feel
assured that the interests of the United
States will be well guarded by those
appointed to attend thereto, as each has
personal interest to subserve as well
as to serve the country, as each of them
are aspirants for high political honors.
The Sun of Feb 18th, gives the fol-
lowing description of the Commission
ers on both sides:
8 Earl De Grey aud Ripon, the chief
Commissioner. is nobleman of extend
ed possessions, vast income, and con-
siderable ambition, but not of any su-
perfuous amount OF brain. He is now
about Al years old. In the early
part Of his career, as Lord Goodrich, he
soughta species ofnotoriety by advocat-
ing radical aud humanitarian ideas
Since then he has grown older and less
radical. In 1861 the Liberal Ministry
was glad to strengthen itseIfby appoint.
ing him Secctary of State for war In
both the offices lie proved failure; aud
the Presidency If the Council, purely
honorary place, though second in dig
nifty only to that of Lord Cancellor
gave him velvet cushion on which to
fall
Prof BERNARD of Oxford will oil
conrse figure in the Commission as
Mentor in the train Telemachus. lie
is a man Of mind and Information, bnt
Of extreme opisions, including to the
mpracticable.
Perhaps the ablest among the British
Commissioners Is Sir John 4 McDan~
aid, the Prime Minister of the Canadian
Dominion. lie will of course advocate
the interest of Canada not alone on the
question of the fisheries. the free nava,
cation of St. LIwerenee, and indemnity
for damages for Fenian raids, but also
in regard to the desired new treaty for
reciprocal trade between the United
States aud the North American Prov
inces. But even here. where his
people are 50 deeply Interested, Sir John
will do we'll to remember that he is not
negotiating for the present merely. and
that while nothing can be giined by
obstinately insistin. upon extreme views
much may be lost by attempting to hin.
der or greatly to postpone that which is
inevitable.
The two other British Commission
ers are Sir Edward Thornton, the pres
ent Minister of England at Washington
and Sir Stafford Northcote. Sir Ed
ward is genial aud amiable gentleman
and there is no doubt that all his exer.
tions will be devoted to making every
| thing right. Sir Stafford-who ha,
just been appointed in the place of Sil
John Rose, the distinguished Canadian
| financier, who declined the place hat
served both as President of the Boart
of Trade and Secetary of State for In
dia, under the Derby and Disraeli al
ministrations.
On the American side, the ables
member Of the Commission, and the
one best informed in international law
is probably Judge Hoar of Massachu
| setts, Judge Nelson reservedly bears ;
great reputation, ON account OF his Ions
experience as jurist, aud his eminen
talents aud practical wisdom but h,
has not devoted himself especially tt
| the class of questions which the Com
{ mission will have to deal with Still h,
| will be the most valuable member, frou
the dignity of his character and the ex
traordinary clearness and fairness o
his mind Senator Williams OF Oregon
has also gained distinction during tn,
six years that he has served in tn,
Senate, and the desire that he shoult
be promoted to the Cabinet so unani
mously expressed by the citizens of th'
Pacific coast has not been disapprovec
elsewhere For Gen. Schenck tn,
Commission offers new field of activ.
ity. The laurels he has hitherto wor
have been those of politician and
legislator, and especially those OF th,
ready, incisive, and formidable debater
but We shall be greatly disappointed i
his energy and patriotism are of mucl
service in the deliberations of the Com
mission. Secretary Fish, the tiftl
! American Commissioner, will bring Il
his duty remarkable resources of de
/ partmeut. appreciation of the nobilt,
aud wealth of the British Commission
ers, respectable though not rapi'
knowledge Of the history OF he Unite,
States, and a considerable amount 0
ordinary good sense"
The contract for constructing the lock
Of the Willamette Falls, at Oregon City
has been awarded, the Heroh says, t
Morrison x Co, of Cal. These gentle
men are welan extensively known i
Cal They will commence work on tn
canal within 80 days, and it is their in
ii l. Il