The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-08-07
STANTON, VIRGINIA. THURSDAY, AUGUST, 1890.
A Triumph of craftsmanship.

Philadelphia Telegraph.
In view of many passing events, the publica-
ton OF the Bchring Sea correspondence clearly
reveals why the President did not care to have
the matter thus given to the country. In all his
career Mr. Blaine has never shown to greater
advantage. Throughout Iii, dispute he dis
nlays the hand OF a diplomatic master. There
can be no question about this. Even Lord s.
bury will doubtless admit it in private, for that
worthy Britisher is done up in line style by the
American Secretary of State. People generally
are disposed to take but little interest in this
sort of international quarreling. Diplomacy, as
a rule, is a very dry subject, and diplomatic cor
respondence something that is passed by
YEARLY.
1t is probable that up to this time only COM
paratiyely small number of even the most in
talligent citizens of the United States have
really understood or even cared to understand
what all this fuss was about. They have known
in a vague sort of way that the supposed rights
OF some Americans along our extreme North
western boundary were being interfered with,
to greater or less extent, by some irresponsible
Canadian pirates. 1t has seemed very small
matter, one not likely to attract general atten-
ton, or to result in any serious dispute between
great Governments. The correspondence just
published, however,, makes much more lively
reading than the average campaign literature
OF Presidential contest. That this is chiefly
due to Mr. Blaine may be readily and frankly
admitted. No citizen who begins reading his
pungent letters to the British Minister will be
apt to stop short of completing them. The
whole matter is presented in a vivid light, and,
indirectly, a powerful appeal is made to Ameri-
can patriotic sentiment for support, and there
can be no doubt bnt that this will be heartily
given.
The facts in this case may be readily compre-
hended. For a century more the Russian
Government claimed and exercised, without
dispute from any nation in the world, absolute
control of the great seal fisheries of Alaska.
Owning the land on both sides of the sea and
the strait, with all the adjacent lands, it main
tanned Gordon of power that no one dared to
interfere with. These fisheries are the chief in
dustry of Alaska and there be no doubt
they were uppermost in the mind Of Mr. Sew
ard in purchasing that country. The interna-
tional deeds of transfer also convey to the Uni
ted States all the rights of the former owners
in Alaska and adjacent waters II this did not
mean the same control of the seal fisheries
heretofore exercised by Russia and never ques-
toned by other nations, what did it mean? For
nearly twenty years the transfer Of this right
was not questioned. Then covetous eyes were
suddenly set in the direction of the BehTing Sea.
Certain irresponsible and constituencies Cana
dams thought they saw chance to pursue with
great profit piratical vocation and they at
once fitted out ships and commenced operations
When the attention Of the British Govern
ment was called to this undisguised outrage, the
present Premier being at the head OF affairs.
the claims of the United States that the piracy
should cease We're practically admitted without
question. OF course there was the usual diplo-
matte way OF putting it. There must be GER
tain amount OF red tape spun out; but the plain
intent, seemingly, Of the English Government
was to comply, with due elaboration and dig
nifty, to the demands so justly made upon it.
But no sooner had this fact become known in
Canada than there was an urgent demand from
the selfish Dominion authorities that there
should be no interference. Almost Immediately
Lord Salisbury reversed himself and since that
time he has been as full Of diplomatic tricks as
Gortschakoff or Metternich ever was. 1t has
been his sole purpose, apparently, through
means of diplomatic disingenuity, to protect
the Canadian pirates, to stave off the day of
Justice. to tire out the United States, and to
have the whole negotiations come to an unsat
and inglorious end, SO far as the Amer
lean Government is concerned.
Mr.. Blaine however, does up the British Min
lister in the most complete style. Using only
diplomatic language he plainly convicts him OF
personal dishonor, in repudiating verbal as
surance to Minister Phelps, of prevarication and
of downright dishonesty III garbling and per-
vel'ting historic documents in connection with
the position assumed by John Quincy Adams as
to Behring Sea half a century ago. This leaves
the matter in a very unsatisfactory state, SO far
as the prospect of settlement of the dispute is
concerned; but the vindication of American
pights, anu JIlu
rice and British diplomatic dishonor, is as COM
plete anything can be. 1t is i'll some respects
the most remarkable bit of diplomatic work in
American history, and Mr.. Blaine should hon
estly receive the credit that is due. 1t is to be
noted, also, as part of the exceptional charac-
ter of this correspondence, that the Secretary Of
State s;lbordinates his own ambitious person
ality so completely that for the time being it is
entirely lost sight of. In formal phrase he APP
pears simply as the mouthpiece of his Govern
ment,as the amanuensis of the President, as it
were. No attempt is made to glorify himself, or
to assume responsibility for the purpose of
achieving national honor
1t is, indeed, a positive relief in these days of
picayune craftsmanship, when the country has
become so wcaried of the small, belittlng, par
tisan efforts of unworthy and Inscriptions men
to keep themselves in power, to have this fresh
breezy innovation in the world of our public af-
fairs. 1t shows that whatever his merits OF de-
merits politician, whatever his peculiarities
and purposes a man. whatever his record in
the public arena, Mr.. Blaine is man of genu-
inc capabilities in the field of craftsmanship; an
American citizen who knows the rights of his
people and has the courage and intelligence to
maintain them in a way that must command
the umdisgused admiration Of the abest lead
ers in all nations. 1t is triumph of brains and
skill as positive and significant as it is inspiring