The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-22

The American people, without distinction
Of party. feel refreshing sense OF national
dignity in view of the prompt energy with
which Secretary Evarts is asserting and pro-
tecting the rights of American citizens in
every part of tho world. on every occasion
when they are assailed or interfered with.
This revival of the foreign policy which was
SO strenuously maintained under the old
democratic administrations will give great
satisfaction to all citizens who have just
pride Of country. Foreign critics used TO
decry it as an aggressive, bullying
policy, but Americans regarded 1t az SIM
pie discharge Of national duty. Even Jack
sons threatening Message, which extorted
the payment Of our claims against France.
was not bullying. but an energetic deter
mination to take justice into our own hands
if it was refused bya foreign Power. No
feature Of the old democratic policy was
80 popular or did SO much to intrench that
party in public confidence as its sensitive
jealousy for American honor. it's quick re-
sentiment of anything approaching an in
suit and its unfinching determination to
make our flag respected and our citizens safe
in every quarter Of the world. Secretary Sew
ard was disposed by personal temperament
and national feeling to maintain the same
policy; but the civil war and the exciting
pied the vigorous tendencies of his own
mind Our attitude toward foreign nations
was feeble and almost pusillanimous from
the beginning Of the civil war down to the
appointment of Mr. Evarts as Secretary OF
State. The closing OF the Southern ques-
period of feebleness, and we have once
more an administration which has o high
sense Of national character and an unhesi-
tating purpose to make American rights
and American property as secure all
over the world as they are in the interior
of our own country. Whatever may be
thought of the new administration in other
respects the country will indorse and ap-
plaud it's jealous and exacting spirit toward
other nations. We shall have but few occa-
sions for exerting vigor as soon as 1t is
understood that we will not permit the
any part of the world to which their bust
ness or pleasure may call them.
The decisive steps taken in relation to
the Mexican border and in rebuke of o
recent interference with our maritime
rights by Spain are followed by course
equally energetic toward South American
States on the Pacific coast. An American
vessel, called the Georgia, belonging to the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company, struck on
reef in Magellan Straits and was taken off
by awrecker named Jones, who is o citizen
of Chill This Jones took advantage Of the
helplessness of the captain to force an ex-
tortionate bargain, which the steamship
company repudiated. The American cap
tain afterward put to sea with the Gillian
custom house officers on board and sailed
for Callao, q port of Peru. The Chilians
had sufficient influence with the Peruvian
authorities to get the vessel seized,
and when she sailed from Callao she
was pursued by Peruvian gunboat. cap
tured and brought under the guns Of q
Peruvian fort. At this stage Of the business
the case was brought, few days since, to
the attention Of Secretary Evarts, who forth
with telegraphed an order to our Minister
to demand the immediate release Of the
Georgia, with simultaneous instructions to
our naval commander to cooperate with
the Minister. Mr.. Evarts placed his action
on the legal principle that the Georgia had
committed no offence against the laws OF
Peru, and that he would not tolerate ON at
tempt by the government Of that country
to execute the laws Of Chilli against one OF
our vessels.