Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-02-08
Largest Circulation in the District
Reading Matter on Every Page.
WASHINGTON CITY:
THTRSDAT-........ February .. ls72
National Contrasts America W. Eng.
land.

The difference between the English and Amer
lean character was forcibly illustrated through
out all the negotiations in regard to the Wash
ington treaty. but il stands out with conspicuous
diStinctnesS in the light of recent events con-
nectcd With that settlement.
IL i very clear and well understood from all
the correspondence which took place on the
subject between the British Minister and our
Department o. State, well as from the DELHI
erations and transactions of the High Joint
Commission, IN session in this city last year.
that no such thing was ever preached or con-
templated a. the recognition By this government
OF any debt contracted or alleged to have been
contracted by the late so-called Southern Con-
tederacy. Had such an idea been advanced by
the English side of the commission, il Womb
have been instantly and Indignantly rejected
Oy the American representatives, who well
knew that the people OF this country would not
have tolerated for a moment the consideration
OF proposition at once so offensive and absurd
More than this, there is a constitutional enact
ment which would prevent settlement OF the
several questions at issue before the body on
any such basis. Yet, notwithstanding these
plain and well-known. facts, and in the face of
what was manifest good faith and international
proPriety in the premises, the Joint Claims
Commission, organized and now in session in
this city under the provisions of the treaty in
question. was no sooner in fair working order
than claims OF precisely that character were
brought before it by the British side for con-
s'deratio1 and payment. And not only that,
hut claims were actually filed in behalf of Brit.
ish ='hjeets asking for the pay ment by this gov
s~' newt tor cotton and other property DESTROYED
daring the war by the rebel authorities them
selves 10 prevent 1t from falling into the hands
OF the United States forces!
lat, Al
the public mind in this country? Did the Amer
can eagle tap its wings because excluded matter
had been Introduced, and demand that the
treaty must be set aside, or that war with Eng
land must follow? Did the leading editors of
America make prepOsterous asses of themselves
over the matter? and did the opposition side in
Congress woe want OF confidence in the adj
ministraton an consequence? Nothing of the
sort notwithstanding the fact that the claims
OF that character held or set up by British sub
jects would probably far exceed in amount any
demands which American citizens might make
on account Of maritime losses through the course
pursued by England during the rebellion there
was no universal howl at the s'perfidy OF Albion
and the outrageous swiRdling greed of British
Spectators al Adventures. Not SO much a. a
sign in that direction. The counsel for the
United States quietly filed a respectful motion
III.
His motion was sustained, the Objectionable
.emands were thrown out, and there was an end
Jf the matter. Not so much as a word OF CON-
ment or newsI aper paragraph acquainted the
public with the great stain attempted to be put
upon our national honor" to use the words of
one of our British contemporaries.
But when the American side makes out its
case for he Geneva Arbitrary Commission. and
includes all the claims which il proposes to pre-
sent for the consideration of that body, and
which may be allowed rejected as IT may
determine, but which do not cover any claim or
class OF claims that had been excluded either
expressly or by implication, the world is treated
to the insane hubbub which has just been fur
nished 10y the English journals and politicians
What it, object ma be, We do not undertake to
determine; but, whether il is the traditional
and we'll understood British bluster ALWAYS in
dulged in by that nation toward a supposed
weaker power, or whether il be the result of
fright over its own weak case the exhibition
Il equally disgracefu. to the English character.
The laws delay in New York, which has so far
served TO shield the Tammany thieves from
punishment Tor their crimes demonstrates that
the refOTmers commenced at the wrong end. If
the corrupt judges in that city had first been got
rid OF by Impeachment or legislation, and new
juries-grand and petit-formedo Of men entirely
outside of the Tammany ring and above its per-
nicious influences, the commercial METROPOLIS
would not have been disgr &ced as it has been, by
its failure to deal with the rich rogues prompt
ly and as sternly as it does with poor ones Petty
thieves are every day sent 70 prison In that city
IN less than a week after they are detected.
while the millionaire plunderers are allowed to
60 at large and are afforded every opportunity
TO place their i'll gotten wealth beyond the reach
OF itsrightful Owners-the people. 1t was hoped
when the ring grand jury disposed of, that
the work of reform obstruct. q by them would 90
bravely on, but just as there Is prospect of the
resumption of the active war on the ring,
their creature, the notorious Judge Bar
nsrd, steps in and defeats the ends of Justice
The grand jury of the court q. general sessions
indicted eS state senator Genet for forging the
name of j. Mcbride Davidson on a city warrant
tor II ,S02, and assemblyman Thomas c. Fields
for bribery IN connection with the fire depart
ment claims. They were arrested on Monday
on these indictments, but by &C me hocus-pocus
managed to be taken before their particular
friend, Judge Barnard, upon writs of kabeas
corpus, and he, first excluding the reporters
from the courtroom, admitted them to bail in
the reasonable sum Of s10,0 900 for Genet and
o. go for Fields, and the prisoners were re-
leased, laughing in their sleeves at the sangsine
reformers, who fondly imagined that justice
had triumphed at last. The Tribune demands
the impeachment Of Barnard, but he seems to
know New York better than the Tribune does
and Il not much alarmed at the threat. WHY
can't Gotham Initiate Chicago? IN that much
abused city, at the latest accounts, about one
alderman day was being sent to Jail for re-
ceiying brides, and the most interesting part OF
the matter is that when these bribe-taking
gentry get into prison they stay there, the su-
IRENE court having decided against them all
he law points they relied on for escape The
moral effect OF these proceedings must spread,
md we have hopes it will even yet reach New
York.
The amount Of credence to be given to the
statements OF partisan Papers is indicated by the
appearance in the Patriot OF a card from the