The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-06-06

THE TREATY.

A"e os~4oe Vi investigating committees,
IN hot cry, but bootless chase of the re-
porter, who obtained an advance cory of
the treaty, negotiated by the joint high
commission, between the United States and
Great Britain, has diverted public atten-
ton from the merits of this most import
ant document, and it has not generally re-
| ceived that calm review which it demands.
1t is really a new departure in diplomacy
| and the United States takes front rank, as
one OF the great tresty-making powers of
the world, to lay down principles of inter-
national law, and codify them into the
laws of nations.
The subjects discussed, and (having met
the assent of the Senate,) the conclusions
finally arrived at thereupon, have wide
range and important bearing, affecting our
national as well as our commercial rela-
tIons with other countries. To review
them at length is impossible, within the
narrow limits of newspaper article, and
we shall, therefore, from time to time,)
but touch upon what appears to us the
most salient points; but before doing this,
We would state that to President Grant is |
due greater need of praise, than is ac-
corded to him, for his able diplomacy in
this matter--another ful6lment of his
famous invocation, "Let us have peace
to secure which at home and abroad, he
pledged himself to devote his official life.
by his dignifed approaches aud attitude,
he first secured Washington, the capital of
our country, to be designated as the place
of meeting of the Comnission--for the
of the treaty-a concession in
itself OF great importance, as it enabled
The President to watch the proceedings,
and constantly to advise with our represen-
tative members.
To the concrete form of the treaty, thus
secured by careful construction of article
after article, is due the all but unanimous
ratification by the Senate of the COM
oeted treaty, while the high political
position OF the leading member repre-
enting Great Britain, gives assurance
hat the Queen, by advice Of her Cabinet,
will promptly give the royal assent, and
hus end controversy which some fondly ,
loped might lead to foreign war, and
hus afford an opportunity for renewal of {
ur home difficulties. Some of these
narplots still count upon the rejection of ,
ne treaty by the House of Commons.
he popular branch of legislation in t
treat Britain, where, like our own popu- '
ar branch, the House of Representatives '
uestions are frequently discussed, not on
heir essential merits, but as may best
observe personal political ends.
But this is not the case The Crown, b
nat is the Queen and Cabinet, is the p
'eaty- making power, and the only func-
ON in the matter pertaining to the Com !,
IONS, is to grant or withhold supplies to y
arry on treaty with effect in case its a.
rms involve an expenditure of money,
I'D even had the House of Commons TO o.
ass upon the treaty, the following, under v
ate 14th inst, from thoroughly well in IL
rmed correspondent in England, shows G
lat although English fault-fnders cavil in
what they term surrender of national al
'estige, the people are not disposed to pro-
ng or press the questions at issue to ex- m
emes. He writes: to
"lt is satisfactory that way has been found.
mutual concession, for arranging some Of bs
Q disturbing questions between England and to
Q United States. The war on the continent
s made men here, more averse TO pushing
sputes to violent extremes" do
This is the tone of the leading newspa- NV
'rs in England, ard shows that although, "
the opinion of many Englishmen, con- 90
ssions have been made which had been
fused when the treaty-makers met at
'ndon, the surrender, as some of the
treme writers term it, is considered as mr.
more than an equivalent for removal q ;
cause for hostile collision between the mt
o nations. m
New Orleans Under Water. ue'