Wilmington journal., 1872-04-26
The WnshingfOn IreatX MuddIe.


CLAIMS for consequential damages presented
in the american Case" and the discus
sions which have taken place upon it on
both sides of the Atlantic, the verdict OF
general opinion is that those claims are I'M
tenable and should be withdrawn by the
American Government. This impression
is universal, even among the Radical sup
porters of the Administration, and ii fair
vote could be obtained on the question,
there is little doubt that the claim would be
withdrawn. \ resolution to that effect
was offered by Mr.. Peters, Of Maine, and
from his political relations it was supposed
that it was done at the prompting OF the Sc
cretary of State, as means OF getting the
government out of the awkward dilemma
in which it has placed itself. In fact the ac-
| knoUledged organs Of the Administration
! confess that the suggestion of indirect dam
ages was a blundeT, and strangely enough
they seek to fasten its responsibility upon
Mr.. Sumner, who has never had anything
to do with the treaty. Under these clrcum-
stances the Committee on Foreign Affairs
supposes that the Administration would
gladly recede from its false position, and
that Mr.. Peters resolution was intended to
cover honorably the retreat. Whereupon
General Banks, its Chairman, himself cele-
brated for rapid and numerous, ii not skill
tu! retreats, had an interview with Mr..
! Fish to ascertain the views and wishes OF
the Administration. Saturdays Herald
exultingly announces, i'll its most prominent
editorial, that those who feared to sec the
honor and dignity Of the country compro-
missed need have no moro uneasiness. The
Government has decided to persist in all
its claims without abatiug ono :iot or little,
no matter at what cost
Of course VIC arc not ill the least sur
prised at this discrimination. 1t is only
one moro proof that in all questions OF
foreign as we'll as domestic policy, the
rights of Justice and the true interests OF
the country must give way to party consid-
Grafton. Upon the eve Of Presidential
campaign, Gen. Graut thinks that lie can
not reccdc without being taunted with
backing down. without a loss of prestige
!
consistent with himself, he sacrifices every
thing else to this selfish consideration. Ht
and his party have adopted for themselves
a very free translation OF the noble ole
maxim ''Fidt .juStitiA Tl,ut cdetunt"-i. e
; 8 Reelection though the heavens should
J fall" and with Gen. Grant himself il
, means, - Reelection and another million
5 His conduct in this matter is in perfec
: keeping with his last message upon Soutl
4 Carolina affairs, which exctes the DISCUS
. of even his own party. In the meantime
: Earl Russell has deferred until the 29tf
T. Of June his motion for an address to the
Z Crown for the suspension Cf proceedings
L on the part of Great Britain before the
i Geneva tribunal until the United State:
i Withdraw their claims to indirect damages
4 This he has done under the impression
: created ON both sides of the Atlantic tha
L the American Government would waive
s its unjustifiable claim. But of course
when the truth is known, the motion will
e be renewed and probably adopted. Mean
e While, important commercial and manu-
= featuring interests are damaged by sus
u pense. The national honor will Sutfe
r greatly more from insisting upon prepos
. terous demand than by frankly withdraw
a ing it. 4 feeling of estrangement mus
s spring up between the two countries, ant
e England may be induced to withdraw he
It concessions on the question of fisheries
V already so full of vexation.
F We know by the experience of tel
It years that the most civilized nations ar
n frequently precipitated into war almost be
Q fore they dream Of it, by just such pett.
= but continued causes Of irritation; ant
n this may be our fate under an administra
g ton in whose eyes the national welfare
It less important than the success of party
II