The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-05-10
me. Chamberlain ON tho washinRton
Treaty.

ME- Chamberlain ON tho Warrington
Treaty.
We received yesterday copy Of let
ter, printed in pamphlet form, addressed
by Mr.. D. 81. Chamberlain to Hon. Ha-
milton Fish on the subject of the Wash.
ington treaty. The letter embodies Mr..
Chamberlain's views. and his reasons
therefor, in regard to the course which
the United States should pursue in rela-
tion to the ponding controversy over the
muddled question OF consequential do.
images.
1t may strike some as trife forward
in Mr.. Chamberlain to volunteer his ad-
vice to the Secretary of State on mat
ter of such high diplomatic Importance.
He anticipates this himself, and iustifes
what some might consider his presump-
tion upon the ground that ''the danger
of grave and far-reaching mistake on
the. part of our Government is sufficient
cause for the most direct and earnest
effort Of any citizen" to guard against it.
We do not feel disposed, after reading
his letter, to carp at Mr.. Chamberlain
for presuming to intrude his opinion
even upon such an exalted functionary
rs Mr.. Fish. Every citizen certainly
has the right to tender his advice to
public officials with reference to ques-
tions involving the common interests;
and whether he be presuming or intru-
sive in doing 30: depends very much
upon the value OF the suggestions which
he has to offer.
Measured by this standard. Mr.. Cham
berlain's letter needs no apology. The
immodesty. if there be any. recedes en-
tirely from view when one turns to con-
slider the sensible, lucid and convincing
manner in which the writer disposes of
the ''snag" of consequential damages
that now checks the progress of the arbi-
tFasion, and seems likely to result in the
final destruction OF the treaty. The pro-
priety Of the original insertion into the
American case" of the claims for indi-
rect damages. Mr.. Chamberlain does not
propose to discuss, further than to say
that their presence excited universal sur
prise in this country as well as in Eng
land. Ee evidently thinks that our Go
-vernmeut made tauz pas in presenting
the preposterous demand, and we agree
with him. To us it is evident that the
leading motive in the preparation OF the
american case" was not as it should
have been, the success of the treaty and
the establishment Of the principle of ma
tional arbitration;i but at the risk of
losing all the great advantages which, as
set forth by Mr.. Chamberlain, the treaty
secured to the United States and to the
canse of civilization throughout the
world, to hoist Grant in the estimation of
the people by the ''oonsequential" tone
assumed towarl England, and the hero
C Aprcma.tc=, sc It we-e. adding
additional laurele to his brow by
"beasding" the British lion in his den.
Sach, indeed, was the first impulse of
che people when the "case" was pub
lished. and such, doubtless, would have
been the general opinion now, if only
the thing had worked we'll. But Eng
lands refusal to continue the arbitra-
hon, unless our ''case" be modified, and
the certainty of the subversion of the
treaty. and the possibility of war that
might ensue, caused our people to re-
feet; and they have pretty generally
concluded that Grants boarding the
British lion is likely to "cost more than
it will come to-" Bolstered up by the
first ontburst of thoughtless popular ap.
plause, Grant was induced to put on
stiff upper lip. and to insist very firmly
upon sustaining the case as presented,
under the impression that England
would change her base. the British lion
turn tail to the bull pup of America. and
Grant become q hero again. It was a
bold, though stupid. game. Ulysses
played it and lost. He is now in tor
tnripg quandary, and at last accounts, in
the depths OF his perplexity and de-
spondency. had called in the Commit ee
Of Foreign Relations, to see il safety
rni0hk nat ho Hnuud -, . ...vt:a.a.b