Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-05-03
The New York Herald as D1PIO"
mist.

With its usual msdesty the Herald, in one
gifts last issues, announces the approVaI py
the Secretary of State and the British Min
ister, of the solution offered by that journal
of the formidable question of indirect dam
ages. Shades of Talleyrand and Meter
Mich, James Gordon Bennett has eclipsed
your glory. Nothing now remains but to
carry on: the policy he has indicated, and to
appoint the illustrious Editor Minister
Plenipotentiary to the Court of st. James.
Then will the two countries be united by
the closet bonds and move on ever after
wards in peace and unity. Here is the
solution as proposed by the Herald, and
endorsed as above mentioned.
''Let England propose that the whole
question of consequential damages be re-
duced to principle of international law
Let her agree that in the event of war III
which England is a belligerent and Amer
lea a neutral, America shall not be
held responsible for any indirect or conse-
quential damages arising from the escape
of any armed ships from our ports under
circumstances similar to those under winch
the Alabama and the English rebel vessels
escaped from Liverpool. Upon this declar-
alton being made and ratified by the two
countries and hallowed into principle OF
international law, so far as they are con-
cerned, let America withdraw her case so
| far as claims for indirect damages are con-
| cerned."
| Not SO bad for Bennett after all. The
| government made out bad case. Uni
veIsal opinion is adverse to it. 1t is awk-
ward to retract, and worse to persist
Here is fine chance to retreat i'll good
ORDER and it is wise to adopt it. AS for
us, being willing to give even the devil his
due, we will find no fault with the Admin
istlation for Selling this opportunity OF
withdrawing an absurd and offensive
claim.
But there is a lion in this path of peace.
No less than the great U. S. G., himself
for the Herald states in another column
1.-The President has expressed no opin-
ion upon the new point. He is reSolute OF
the whole que. sion and disposed to resent
the imputatiOn made by the English states
men upon onr national frankness and goOC
faith. lie has been very decided upon thu
whole question ever since the outset, ant
is especially sensitive about the warllkt
threats against this country. lie IS Sls(
known TO have very decided convictions
upon the subject, and it is still a matter o
doubt whether he will permit Mr. Fish Il
assume the position"
All, how quickly these narrowing doubts
could be set at rest if our transatlantic ant
monarclical cousins over the water Onl,
understood the mode Of dealing with sterl
; Republicans, always prompt to ''sp'rl
the gifts OF ArtaNerXes." What efec
might not Mr. Gladstone produce by a pro
, pitiatOry Offering Of d choice pup Q
the genuine John Bull breed, or a selec
specimen of the purest Skye terrier stock
and is not peace worth more than a vii
derneSs OF bull-pupS? And the Prince c
Wales, what might he not accomplish b.
; presenting the noblest steed o. his stud
If, in addition, Victoria would offer in fe
simple one of her royal palaces, wort
many brown stone fronts as q summe
residence, who can entertain fears for tn
result?
We earnestly recommend this sue
: gestiOn to the careful consideration of s.
Edward Thornton, who has so warml
e embraced that of the Herald, and we fe'
: sue that he will come to the cOnclusio
n that our idea is worthy of being adopted
5 i'll which case shall confidently eXpet
e the appointment of Secretary to the Legs
Il ton ut ST. James.