Smyrna times., 1881-12-21

NATIONAL ToPIcs.--Aside from the
Guiteau trial-which has been compared
more to circus entertainment with the
prisoner for the clown-there are two or
three leading topics of National concern
claiming more dignified consideration at
our National Capital. In diplomatic cir
cles the last State papers of Secretary
Blaine in reference to the "Clayton-Bul-
wer Treaty" has created stir on both
side of the waters. This treaty was made
by our own distinguished citizen, John
AI. Clayton, when Secretary of State
under General Taylor more than thirty
years ago with Lord Bulwer the represen-
tative of England. At that time we had
no Pacific coast possessions save the un-
settled wilds of Oregon. The present
effect of the treaty, as Mr.. Blaine plainly
shows, is to give England the power to
seize and hold the canal at any time, by
the use of her great navy, while it ties
the hands of the United States by prohibi'
ting the employment of our military forces
to fortify the approaches to the canal as q
precautionary measure. Only by equip
ping as strong a navy as Great Britain
keeps in service would we be on terms o
equality with her. ''The Clayton-Bulwel
Treaty" says Mr.. Blaine, commands thi
Government not to use single regimen
of troops to protect its interests in con
s,-&~ L.,
to surrender the transit to the guardian
ship and control of the British Navy.
He gives explicit notice that the Unite
States will not consent to perpetuate an
treaty that impeaches our rightful an
long-established claim to priority on tn
American Continent" He points out
England how she requires her enemies I
double the Cape of Good Hope to get I
her Indian possessions rather than throag
the Snez Canal so, as our interests hay
grown 80 large should We protect on
selves by having the absolute control
the Panama Canal should it ever be bull
Dir. Blaine does not ask fol nc enti
a5rogation of the Objectionable and obs
lete treaty, but he insists that the joi
protectorate provision be regarded as o
sOlete, and that the United States be Il
free to make its own arrangements wi
any country across whose territories
canal may be cut, as was done with
iombia in 1916. His closing word ia til
it is the fixed purpose of the Unit
States to cenfne the canal question stric
and solely rs an American question, to
dealt with and decided by the AmeifC
Government After this plain declarati
joint protectorate of an isthmus ca
must be considered as an impossible
In Congress the measure that has b.
taken hold of with the most yigor in
Senate La that Of "Civil Service Reforr
This is subject, it must be remember
very hard to deal with practically,
hence will doubtiexs be treated wit
great deal of discussion. Men who &
in the higher morals of State affairs
all for it, and the best indication In
gard to 1t is that the prominent politici
of both parties are advocating it.
two Last Republican Presidents were c
mitted to it and last week Mr.. Pendle
probable Democratic candidate fos
same Office made strong speech in
Senate which was model of wha
speech should be-caln. digaiAes
free from the faint OF partizanship,
made his appeal to the whole sepat
Essriotic grounds. The object aime
by the Rendleton bill is the destructic
the sspoils ssstsmn--by which is m
the absorption OF nj the Federal 0
by the party in power. under The rule
to 'the vietcrs belong the spoils.D an,