The New York herald., 1871-02-15
The Era Of Good Feelins--uraatss Policy
Peace with All the World.

II will be remembered that after the stern
and persistent wars between France and Eng
land that succeeded the French Revolution
there was an unpsual xush of Englishman to
Paris and general traternization among the
people Of The two countries. France had been
a hidden land to the English, while the French
name had mounted higher and higher to q
splendid aud terrific pre-e,nipence by the
achievements Of Mirabeau, Robaspierre and
Napoleon. Ths English buried to see what
manner of men these half heroes and half
monsters were--these executioners of Marie
Autoinette and couquerors of Marengo. A
| generation had almost passed since the Gaul
and Saxon had looked each other in tue face
with the eye of friendship. The courtesy,
grace, vivacity apd warmth of their welcome
was surprising, and we had what the satirists
mocMngiy called "Anglophobia"-- the
HISTORIANS have regarded - tho era of good
feeling.
We should not be surprised to SEQ similar
demonstratioa Of kindisess on The part Of the
English and the Americans as the result OF the
recent diplomacy. For soma time we have no
tlced signs of England aud America looming
together" The success of the Northern States
| In the waE was sure to command the respect of
Eugland--as, in fact, 1t commanded the respect
Of the whole world. That triumph gave US a
frat rank among the nations. Mr.. Fields
success In laying the cable was a wonderful
| advance, for London and New York became
Us ono city-the words Of the Queens speech
were read In New York before they had died
away on the ears of the members of Parlia-
ment, and the message Of the President had
been discussed in the city of London before
the Clerk Of the Senate had finished reading It
in Washington. The influence of the great
journals--.the London Times and the New
YORK HERALD--had gone far toward spreading
cosmopolitan spirit. England came to know
America. Her representative came among
rs and saw our people. Every sum-
mer poured thousands of curious, OBJ
serving, impressible Americans into the
lap Of English society-Amoricans who came
home filed with the generosity, the chiyalry,
the nobility Of the true English gentleman.
&
Elgland saw that her rulers had been blind
and feeble. America, in her pride and
strength and the exultaton of victory. was
disposed to look upon the Alabama claims, not
as an intrinsic injury to the country, but as
something to be held in reserve as vexation
Whenever We felt in bad humor--as pretext
for war whenever we chose to make war. 1t
was good convertible political capital. The
Irish liked 1t, and 1t was an emollient to the
Irish nature. Every hour, however, peace
came nearer and nearer.
We read of the curious growth Of islands
and peninsulas in the warm southern seas
how the coral does its work for ages under
tides and storms and heaving b;llows until it
rises above the ocean, and in time there are
trees and forests and homes for men and the
basis Of nation. So, while between England
and America there has been this endless
| unrest and Observation-Disclosures for inde-
pendence, wars for sailors rights, threatened
wars on twenty questions, Roe!uck and Lind
| say scoldiag us in Parliament and hundred
Irish patriots making warlike speeches against
the lion in New York--al the time, steadily,
surely, slowly. the work OF friendship and
alliance has gone on, until land is made at
last, and the nations are together in the
persons of this commission. They meet as
men to men, frankly, truly, to calmly discuss
every question, every grievance, every dis
pute, and see five cannot really have peace
We are too strong to fear each other. Nations
are too great for war when they can command
respect. There are no Issues between us like
the Rhine, or tue Danube, or the Bosphorus.
We do not covet an acre OF England's vast
possessions. The ocean is broad enough for
all of us. We have each our own work, with
world large enough for both to do it, in the
interests Of humanity, liberty and peace.
Above all. we are of the same blood and
lineage. In laws and customs and literature,
! in the glories OF a common history, in the
| achievements of science and enterprise and
art, John and Jonathan ara brethren> Let
them be enemies, and civilization Is assailed.
Letshem be friends, and they are strong enough
to keep the world In peace.
In this spirit and with these hopes, however
fancifal they may be, we accept the joint High
| Commission. This is the sentiment of the
\ country. We remember nothing that has been
| received With 50 much enthusiasm aud sa,is-
! faction. The voices of parties are huaaed.
| The Senate, almost unanimo siy and
without distinction Of party, confirmed the
Presidents appointments. The country re-
sponded In the same tone. Every memory of
| the past, every painful tradition, every angry
thought, was forgotten in the desire for a peace
and an alliance worthy of the Anglo-Saxon
| spirit We are confident England will show
! the same spirit. The London Times is afraid
| the "touc OF American discussion must change
bfore there can be any lasting peace. We
| sincerely trust the Times does not speak for
England ;R this suriy criticism. American