The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-10
OUR DIFFERENCES WITH ENGLAND.


From The n. Y. Times.
The English Parliament met yesterday, and
one of the most important political events of
the year will be regarded by Europe, as we'll
as by the British nation, with unusual inte-
rest. The event will not be without acc-
dental interest to the people of the United
States. The Queen announced in
her speech, on opening Parliament, that a
proposal for joint commission to discuss,
and if possible to decide, all questions in dis
pute between the two countries has been
assented to by the United States Govern
ment. 1t has been agreed that
the Commission shall sit at Washington; that
the Alabama claims, all questions relating to
the fisheries, the San Juan affair, the st.
Lawrence, and other outstanding causes of
difference, shall be submitted to the Com
mission; and that the representatives of both
countries are to enter upon the business en-
trusted to them with the distinct purpose of
bringing it to an equitable and final conclu-
sion.
This important intelligence will, of course,
be received with different sentiments by
different persons. We cannot doubt, how
ever, that the great mass of the people, who
are interested in the preservation of peace,
rather than in the stirring up of needless
war, will receive it with satisfaction. The
objects aimed at are those which everybody
but the Fenians must desire to see brought
about. 1t is understood that the settlement
of every difficulty is to be, in the fullest
sense, fair and honorable. The American
people would certainly ask nothing more,
and they would not expect England to be
satisfied with anything less. OF the various
schemes that have been proposed for bring
ing about a good understanding, that of a
| joint commission appears to be the most
promising. 1t is without doubt the most
practicable. AS our own Government has
! demands the justice of which may best be
determined on the spot, it is fit that the
! Joint commission should be convened at
Washington. Apart from the interests of
individual claimants, it is a serious injury,
present and prospective, to the commerce
and other international affairs of both coun-
tries, that the issues between them should
continue open. The development of our
Western States, in particular, is gravely re-
tarded by the possibility of disagreement in
Volved In continuance of the present hostile
attitude. Our mercantile classes must OBJ
Vlously proht by definite settlement of all
sources OF difference. What we want is q
settlement.a settlement giving our people
that which they have fair right to demand;
and such settlement, it appears, can now be
obtained
We must not, however, seek to dispuise the
fact that there are some who do not want this
result. There are, unfortunately, politicians
who, sooner than lose any of their stock in
trade, and sooner than President Grant should
have the credit of solving these or any other
difficult problems, would keep them inief.
nitely open. We are quite prepared to find
Senator Sumner opposing in advance any
possible reconciliation, however honorable
it may be to the country or satisfac-
tory to individual citizens. Mr. Sumner
is one of the Presidents foes, and he is
known to be anxious to thwart the Presi.
dent in every conceivable way. 1t is toe