The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-05-12

In thsee sentences may BE- detected the
error upon which Professor Smiths articls
II built. He fails 10 make the distinction
which sssry inssIiigent American makes
beewesn he British psopls and the British
eoseynmenL He falls 10 realize that
Americans can 81 once honor the great
qualities IT he people and condemn the
impulses and tendencies Of the govern
naent. He fails 10 consider that Americans
might regard with satisfaction any event
which would shake the power OF the Brit
ish governments. while they would view
with regret and dismay any serious dis
aster thas might befaIi The Engiish people.
Tbs American people would view without
dismay The loss to Great Gritaan OF India
or Egypt or the separation from the mother
county Of Canada or Australia. On tho
other hand. however. they would Be over
uhslmed with sympathy Il London should
b destroyed or ii famine or pestilencs
should sweep over the British islands.
Professor Smith deprscates IN appeal to
history. bat 10 nevertheless undertakes TO
defend, though in haii-hsarsed way, the
policy pursued BY the Britiah government
toward The United 6tatss prior 70 the rsvc-
luton, prior 70 tho war Of 1872 and during
the REBELLION. He thinks that In the events
which led 70 the Declaration Of indie
pendencs ths right and wrong were pretty
svsnly divided and that The causes Of the
waS were trivial. In forming this judg-
msnt hs considers only ths immediate and
cstendhls causes, and forgets that the real
canse Of the war for indepsndence Was the
difference In character and temperament
which had arisen bstwssn the people Of tho
colonies and ths ruling classes 81 the
mother country. He forgsts, too. the
broad and dssp-ssated conviction Of the
Americans. conviction for which there
was ample cause. that II Vas tho settled
policy Of The British government 70 pre-
vent the development and expansion Of tho
colonies and 70 drag them In triumph at
The chariot wheels Of British commerce.
He defends the outfages upon American
ssamen and American commerce which led
70 the war Of 1872, on the ground that
Great Britain Was then engaged Ia . terrific
struggle with the great Napoleon and that
II was no more than natural for Il 10 seek
70 cripple the commerce OF the only neutral
maritime power. II Is well-known fact
81 history that Il VAS the settled policy OF
the British government 10 drive the United
Htates into The war against France. Fail
Ing u accomplish this purpose the rulers
Of England treated the United States - q
hostile country and Instituted against its
commerce and it, people . system Of e.
pionagc and interference which for arro-
gancs and brutality has been unequailed
since the days of Rome. Professor Smith
iorgets that the same British government
which believed itself to be justified in
lrampling upon American rights dashed it.
self into fury when, half century later. IN
American naval officer took two fugitives
from . British vessel. though ths United
states WAS then engaged in q struggle for
existence ~ fieres - any that Eagiand has
known.
Passing then to the rebellion, Professor
Smith sicnies that. exceptin the case Of the
Alabama, the British government was
guilty Of any serious breach Of neutrality.
Ii wussld seem that the facts Of Great
BrIsasn's hostility towards tbs United
States during the rebellion we're too recent
10 admit even an attempted denial. II Is
true that the great body OF the British
people were friendly TO the cause OF the
Union. bat II Is equally true that the gov
erning classes. whether Liberal or Tory,
the professional men. the army and navy
and the press. were bitterly aud agrees
ively hostile 70 that cause. Palmeyston
ana Gladstone, Russell and Salisbury, We'd
With each other In their expressions Of
friendship 10 the south and hostility 10 the
North. Over and ever again did the Brit
ish government refuse 10 enforce the nen-
tyality laws. taking the unsenahle ground
that IL ccuid not prevent the fitting cat Of
Confederate privstecrs in British ports be-
cause there Was no oct Of Parliament to
warrant such action. II was only when
Charles Francis Adams. the American
minister, In = grim note 10 Lord Russell
declared. at Is unnecessary for me to say
10 ysur losdship that this Is war. thai any
ef.ars Was made 10 keep faith with the
United States. There Is no impartial
stadent of history Who il nos ially cen
WINGED that the fear at resultant oompii-
cations in Europe and the unalserahle
friendship Of the British working classes
for the Union caase. alone prevented The
government al Leri ralmerssoa fTona in
ssssessnx in behalf Of the South.
Hsssasy affords ether causes for the
American hostility 10 Great Britain ~hseA
IL % insxpssczhas 10 Professor Smith. Both
in the rsvolasloa and in the var Of 1872 the
agents of the British rovesnmsas thrnss
upon shs frontier settlements 81 America
ali The horrurs Of Iadlan warfare. Dy the
tomaAswk and the seaspsnE knife Great
nfsiaia undertook 10 eonqass Americas
The nsoss aaocdthssssy savases we're gsven
gsHcvss commissions in the British array,
ard the saaries IL vosnen ard chisdrrn
sAas hecAsms rscognss<d hrareh ot Brit
tsh warfare. Net cafy during thess warn
bat during he intervening ysars Of rsscs