Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-04-17
How Americas Claims and Conduct
Appear In Europe.

have lately been on little sit to the
continent, which took me through various
large cities and capitals-a very hurried visit,
indeed, but one which brought me into con-
tact with many emitent men, both French,
Italians and Amercans.-and | am bound to
say that the foreigners generally thought
there was touch of greed about the
American claims, while in their private con-
versations the Americans we're by no means
feeling happy about it. Americans abroad
are constantly impressed with the fact that
justice and common sense are not monopo-
lized by the great republic Of the West. There
are independent thinkers and honest men
abroad also. Aud Just now, in this matter ui
consequential claims, the judgment Of such is
against us the impression our case has made
on them is unfavorable TO American states.
manship; and even if (which is nearly i'm.
possibe) we should gain an award on that
point, it might be more costly than defeat
so far as our influence is concerned while il
we put forward the claim and get nothing we
might look little ridiculous. We have lost
something by putting forward the claim; but
We may turn it into large gain by saying we
shall accept no money on this point was
lately conversiDg on this subject with Mr..
Anthony Froude the historian. Mr.. Froude
is one Of the warmest aud most constant
friends that America has in this country. To
my knowledge he took great pains, several
years ago, to lay before certain pcrsonages Of
high position that England owed to America
such an expression Of regret as that which
has been inserted in the treaty aud be has
shown how far bis disposition to make con.
cessions to America is ready to 20, by pub.
fishing 10 Frasers Magazine, which he edits,
paper-it was written by Mr.. Ouley, au
old misunderstanding that England should
90 forward with the arbitration, whether the
American Interpretation be put on it or not
But in the conversation to which | refer, Mr.
Froude expressed his fear that America was
hardly doing justice to English feeling toward
her. There is particularly one point, he
said, which has been a source Of more won.
der and annoyance here than Americans seem
TO be aware Of 1t is that 80 much less ha,
been said in America Of the much more seri
Gus oifenses of France Not only did France
with far less reason than England, recognz,
the southern confederacy at the same time
England having done SO to withdraw her pro
lection from blockade runners-but Franc
very earnestly appealed to this country L
unite with her in stopping the war. Thi
government would not have dared in the the
state Of popular feeling to unite in any sue
interference, even had it been so inclined
But Of this wcl.known fact little or no motto
seems to have been taken in America. 1t
fact which reflects the real friendship of th
English people for America. OF course
does not excuse any wrong that was done tina
more wrong was not done; but at least
seems 10 indicate special animus toward thi
country that we, who refused to interfere il
the war, should be more severely handled tha
France, who tried to tempt US to such inter
ference. 1t was at q time when our cottol
capitalists and our working classes wer
suffering severely through the war, and tn
temptation was not so slight as it may nov
seem" If some consideration is due TO tn
English people on grounds like these, sub
init that much is on yet higher grounds du
to the Republicans Of England, Of whom
is our duty to be at once friends and ex
emplars Surely we can afford to get aon
without John Bulls money better than W
can afford to have the first great Anglo-Saxo
republic quoted as representing the principle
of Shylock. One need not favor the ide
that America should interfere physically il
European affairs to hold that she has dut,
to exempliiy, in the interest Of European
Republicans, the moderation and magnanimit,
which become great nation. We cannot ge
anything for the prolongation of the war by
the conduct Of England. We can get some
thing by sticking to our real claims, and by
showing before the world genuine desire t.
live at peace with other nations and indicat
ing satisfactory and honorable method O
settling disputes without an appeal to VIC
lence. II the arbitration at Geneva succeeds
heavy blow will be struck at war; lift fall,
through, it will be a blow at peace which
trust may not be attributed by history to the
course of America in environing the appeal
to reason with more difficulties than the APP
peal to arms.--M. d. Coneay's London Let.
terS in Cincinnati Commercial