The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-12

public, the number of citizens Of the
United States who know much about it
is remarkably small. To tell the story
adequately would require vastly more
space than is at the command Of the
present writer, but some notion Of the
causes and results of the treaty may be
gained from the following brief sum
mary After the Revolution the ports of
Great Britain were closed to the ships
Of the new nation that had so lately
been a colony, and of course without
free access to these ports it was clear
that it would be practically impossible
to build up American commerce with
the mother country. More than that,
Great Britain had virtual control of the
high seas everywhere ard American
ships were at 70 time safe from British
interference.
President Washington realized more
than any one else just how important it
was that commercial friendship should
subsist between the old and the new
country and was uneeasing in his efforts
to bring about the desired cordially OF
feeling. But the American people had
not yet got over the sharp edge of their
bitterness toward every thing English.
Lu0Y Olu AOt WduG COnuSICtd1 1I16uQ-
ship or any other sort of friendship with
the people of the right little, tight little
island, and they were quite willing to
sacrifice their financial interests in sup
port of this feeling This antagonism
was intensified by the sympathy among
many Americans with the principles of
the French revolution, and in fact there
was a strong possibility of open hostii-
ties with England instead of an estab-
lishrnent of cordial relations.
1t was while this condition was most
pronounced that Washington was most
strenuous in his efforts in the direction
indicated. He fully appreciated the ne
cessity Of commerce if the republic was
to prosper, and in the face Of the most
bitter opposition from almost every
quarter he selected John Jay to go to
England and negotiate the desired treaty.
Jay was very popular at that time with
the American masses, but risAed and
won great unpopularity by accepting
the mission.
His qualifications included great legal
attachments, a judicial mind and pro-
nounced diplomatic attachments. His
arrival in London was an event of i'm
| portance there as we'll as here, and dur
| ing the months of his sojourn On the
other side of the sea he was treated with
| the utmost courtesy and consideration.
This very fact, however, brought about
the beginning Of his unpopularity, and
when upon his return the treaty was
| submitted for approval to President
| Washington there was a general protest
| against its ratification, especially from
the agricultural population.
| This was chiefly because of the pro-
| vision that ''war does not wipe out an
| obligation made independent of war. "
| 1t thoroughly displeased certain Amer
leans who sought to be relieved of debts
made before the Revolution and owing
| to Eng ishmen, but this very provision
was the one that made it possible for
| Jay to negotiate the commercial provi-
sions that were Of greatest value to
America. Some there were in the sea-
! ports, to be sure, who approved of it,
| but they were insignificant in number
compared to those who opposed it, and
the feeling was intense. This made no
difference to President Washington, how
ever. He knew the ultimate result of
he treaty would be of incaleulable va1ue
to the United States, he was satisfied
that the best terms that could be got had
been secured, and at the risk of losing
his own popularity he stood by Jay and
| the treaty.
Its adoption fairly revolutionized the
| industries of the country, and as long as
the republic shall exist its benign inhu-
ence viii be felt on this side the sea.
Perfumes Destroy Microbes,