The New York herald., 1871-03-25
TIE Joint High Commisslon ut Washing
ten-What Ii Ought to Aim at

posed OF distinguished men from England and
prominent public men of the United States,
now sitting at Washington to discuss disputed
questions between the two great English
speaking people of the world, and to find, If
possible, means of adjustment, looms up
prominently before the public mind on both
sides the Atlantic. This is natural, for, with
all the prejudice that exists and with good
reasons of complaint on this side at the policy
England has pursued toward America, the in
terests Of the two nations are so interviewer
and the hope of the world depends so much
upon them that every enlightened man must
desire peaceful solution Of their difficulties
and q closer union between them.
| 1t remains TO be seen whether the persons
engaged in this matter comprehend fully this
| important fact or are enaeavoring to adjust
merely one or two questions in dispute, such
as the Alabama claims and the fisheries, and
are leaving the broader question to the future.
Thus far they have not shown comprehensive
statesmanlike views, and seem to be contented
with the wining and dining diplomacy for
which the English are remarkable, and which
has done much to hoodwink the ambassadors
we have sent to England. Englishmen, like
some of our politicians and lobbymen, think
more can be accomplished through the dinner
table or stomach than by appeals to the inteli-
gence of the people. The English High Com
mission appear to be revelling in festivities as
a means of capturing our politicians at Wash
ington. We think good dinner and good
glass of wine excellent to promote congeni-
ality, and SO far there can be no objection to
such social intercourse; but we warn our
Washington men against the eating and drink
ing fascinatons of John Bull, which proved
fatal to Reverdy Johnson, and which might
leave the broad question Of our relations with
Great Britain unsatisfactory.
We are prompted to throw out this hint
because certain leading British journals are
disclaiming against our claims, while the
English members Of the High Commission are
smiling most cordially upon the Washington
politicians over the fumes of good dinners and
wine. Let us have no more humbug or at
tempts at overreaching in this serious and
important business of adjusting the difficulties
between England and the United States Let
the Commissioners be frank, honest liberal
and comprehensive in their views on all ques-
tions concerning the present and future rela-
tions between the two countries, and both
lasting friendship may be established and the
well-being of the world may be promoted.
The Alabama claims and the fishery diff
Guilty come in the foreground and form the
basis of investigation and negotiation; but
they shenld be only incidental to the
broader question of the future relations be-
tween the two countries What do twenty, or
even fifty millions Of dollars, in the settlement
of the Alabama claims, or the interests of few
fishermen in New England and the colonies,
amount to compared with the vast commercial
intercourse and political and social considera-
tons involved? England has been disposed
to regard the settlement of the Alabama claims
in money point of view merely; has in rather
an ostentatious manner offered to pay the
claimants, and seems desirous Of ignoring the
higher consideration of violated national
honor, comfy and friendship; but while we
insist upon payment as matter Of principle,
we are too rich and prosperous to look upoh a
few millions Of dollars as of much consequence.
And with regard to the colonial fisheries, it is
not so much what is lost or gained by our fish
ermen in consequence of the conduct of Great
Britain or her colonies that we care about as
the unfriendly feeling exhibited and the want
of consideration for the United States as the
great, overshadowing power of the American
Continent. Our people cannot and, will not
endure the narrow, selfish policy of few
colonists on our border, when it comes in con-
flict with American interests and aspirations.
To have peace and to promote friendship with
the United States both the British govern
ment and the colonists must yield something
to this great republic. In the fishery diff
Guilty, as in other difficulties, it is not 80 much
question of abstract right that should be
considered as of good neighborhood, friend
ship and regard for the controlling position Of
| the United States on this Continent.
| Some of the statesmen of England, and
pre-eminently among them W. E. Forster,
one of the present British Cabinet, and others
| of the young England school, anticipate the
time when closer political as well as COM
| mercial union will exist between Great Britain
and the United States. There is growing up
in England large party which favors
this view. The old prejudice and spirit
Of rivalry against this country, which
were so strong few years ago,
are declining with our growth and the pro-
gress of democratic ideas in England. The
mass of people there are beginning to realize
the fact that this is soon to be the represen-
tative and most powerful country of the
English speaking race. AT one time we were
regarded as offsprings and treated as such I;
then we were cousins; now the British speak
of us proudly as brothers. When we say the
English-speaking race we include the Scotch