Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-27
SATURDAY. APRIL 20. 1879.
About g" Consequential Damages"


There appears to be general belief that the
report of probable settlement of the dispute
with England, relative to the claim for "cOnSe-
Qucutial damages" is true. The report-which
may or may not he true--is TO this efect Our
government, seeking by means of this claim
nothing more than an international decision or
rule which shall make all such claims invalid
and exclude them from future negotiations, will
consent tolay it aside, provided England will
formally agree TO such rule and engage 10
observe it in her future intercourse with the
United States. Ii this proposition has actually
been made to England, and if it shall be ac-
cepted we shall gain, on this point all that was
sought. This point being arranred, the arhi-
tration will 20 on; the just claims Of individuals
for direct losses will be considered and paid;
aud the treaty will be fully carried out in other
respects. 1t seems TO us that such a conclusion
of the dispute would be wise and unimpeacb-
able.
But the New York Tribune, which, heretofore,
had not thought of using the negotiation With
England for attacks on the administration of
President Grant, now makes vehement and
malignant assault upon it, which is based Oh its
own imperfect account Of this unauthenticated
report, in which The most important portion of
it is left out. This change in the Tribune
seems due to the fact, that Mr.. Greeley is, just
now, star actor among the assistant demo-
Gratis" The first two thirds of its article in
which we find this assault, is an elaborate ut
terance of self-gorifcation which might be en-
Wed by Pecksnitf himself in bis most Astounding
and gushing mood Of assumed virtue This is
meant to be virtuous explanation of the TIib-
une's previous course on This question.
The New York Herald speaks at length on the
subject, but says there is at Washington pow
ertul lobby seeking to have the claim with
drawn. AccoI ding to this journal, Secretary
Fish listens TO this lobby, while the president
maintains firmly that the claim for consequent
tial damages must srand unchanged; and the
Herald Gains that Mr.. Fish should be dismissed
from ofi:e. In our Judgment, the public SER
vice would lose nothing, if Mr.. Fish should leave
the cabinet and etre TO private life. He, more
than any other person, is responsible for the hos
tile relations existing between Senator Sumner
and the administration. Wehaye been and snll
are quite unable to see that he is an admirable
person; but there's nothing to show conclusive,
ly that there is any foundation for the Heralds
present charge against him. If he has not
manifested the highest wisdom and the most
perfect serenity, IN conducting the prelimina-
ries of thc Geneva conference, this is because
he lacks the greatness OF mind and character
tley imply. 1t is probably unjust TO say he is
willing to withdraw the claim for "consequen-
tial damages" Internationally.
Bdtall these questio iin5s and criticisms touch
ing this claim, are based on conjecture. The
actual state of the case is unknown outside the
cabinet, and will remain unknown until the
official correspondence shall be published. 1t is
not satisfactory way OF treating the subject
TO accept doubtful rGmors as established facts.