The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-09-04

| time contended by Great britain that
| the American right to fish within three
miles from shore meant three miles from
the headlands which marked the en-
trance to bays, and on this new and
strained construction of the treaty they
sought to exclude American fisherman
even from the Bay of Fundy, which is
sixty miles wide at its mouth. After "a
| long diplomatic discussion, maintained
with signal ability by E iw .rd Everett,
our minister at London, Lord Aberdeen
"A name Unidentified with justice and
magnanimity in more than one genera
tion-then at the head of the British
Foreign Office. acknow lodged that the
ground taken by England i'll regard to
the Bay of Fundy was indeteusible. the
Canadian position was reversed, and the
bay was reopened to American fisher
| men.
| wEBSTERS VIGOROUS POLICY.
| "When the attempt of 1852 was made
to enforce the 'headl.nd' construction of
the treaty, Mr. Webster was secretary of
state, in the administration of Mr.. Fill
more. In au official paper over his own
signature, M. Webster recorded his
opinion that the British constr uction OF
the treaty is not c0nt0rmubtc TO tie iHtem-
TINS IF he contracting parties. These are
weighty words, aud spoken by Mr.. Web
ster, they give an almost authoritative
constr uctiou to the treaty. 1t is certainly
not discourteous or invidious to say that
in legal ability, especially on points both
of constitutional and International law,
MIR. Webster's opinion is entitled to more
weighty consideration than that of any
British official who was then dealing or
who has since dealt with the fishery ques-
ton.
'Mr. Webster's official proclamation,
from which have quoted, was issued ON
the 9th of July, 1852 A fortnight later
he addressed large audience from the
front door of his house at Marshtield, and
then he spoke with entire freedom. The
treaty of 1878, said Mr.. Webster. was
made with the crown of England. If an
American fishing vessel is captured by
one of her vessels of war, the Crown of
England is answerabe; but it is not to
be expected that the United States will
submit their rights to be adjucated in the
petty tribunals of the Provinces, OF that
| we shall allow our own vessels to be seiZ-
ed by constables and other petty officers,
and condemned by the municipal courts
OF Quebec, Newfoundland, New Bruins
wick or Canada.
CDI1 e.
vigorous expressions, and the negotla-
tinns passed INTO other hands, and were
adjusted fiuallv by the reciprocity treaty
OF 1854. The operation of that treaty was
highly injurious to American fishermen
Before its termination, i'll 1866, our gov
ernment refused to renew it, and our
fishing interest Immediately began to re-
vive, aud Immediately the Canadians be
gan to agitate for another treaty by
which they could reach the markets of
| the nited States. Their wishes were
| gratIfied. and by the strangest of all dip
lomatic juggles, the Cuited States paid
| five and ahali millions OF dollars Tor
| treaty which it did not want and which
the other party earnestly desired. Time
has passed. and the treaty of 1871 has
expired. The Canadians again come
worry and outrage American fishermen
until by sheer WEAKNESS, alter the manner
| of the unjust, judge i'll Scripture, our
government may give them what they
want, even to the injury OF our own peo-
pie.
The humilia. ion of our situation has
been gratuitously Increased by the vote
of a majority of the Democratic party in
the House of Representatives to throw
open the markets of the United States to
BRUSH and Canadian fishermen, without
duty or charge, and without securing to
American fishermen the right to fish in
BRUSH and Canadian waters. This j. an
act of such unaccountable, rancorous
hostility to the fishing interest of New
Englau that 1t is difficult even to com
prehend its motive. John Randolph ST.
hated the wool tariff that he ielt like
walking a mile to kick sheep. Do the
Northern Democrats teel such determined
hostility to the fishermen of New Eng
laud that they would sacrifice great
national interest III order to lflict a blow
upon them?
at would certainly be refreshing if we
could hear Mr.. Webster'S words repeated
from thcial sources TODAY. IL would be
refreshing If it cou id once more be assert
ed with the strength and dignity of Web
ster that the Cnlted States Will not sub
nit their rights To be adjudicated in the
petty tribunals of the provinces that
American fishermen shall be protected
i'll all their rights of property and in all
their rights OF occupation' Mr.. Webster
did rot expect and did not intend that
his position wond lead to war. He simply
expected that firm, decided tone would
* Z buir nd
make them feel the responsibility and
danger of transgressing the rights and
touching the SenSlbiIties of a proud aud
powerful people.
''The country is weary of hearing, in
Mr.. Webster's phrase. hat Canadian con-
stables are arresting American crews and
that Canadian guuboatS are capturing
vessels on the high seas floating the
American flag. And all this on the as
sumption of treaty power which the
Cnited States denies, aud upon techni-
cal construction put forward IA quarter of
century after the treaty welt into oper
alton and had received peaceful and
fair construction. We shall await the
publication of Mr. B,yard's correspond.
ence with Great Britain on the subject of
the seizure OF American fishing vessels
with deep interest-Sball wait with the
hope, if not the expectation, that he will
leave his country III IA better position at
the close of the negotiation than he has
thus far maintained for her
RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
another international trouble has in
creased our sense of chagrine and hui
initiation. In contrast with our patient
endurance of Canadian Outrape toward
American fishermen, we have made an