The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-17
WE AHE NOT SURPRISED Al IT.

orally published on Sunday last as part
of press despatch from London, the
following. to wit:
"The Spectator, during the course of
long and temperate article in regard 10
the Provocative and Unfriendly Tone OF
American Politicians of Both Parties To-
ward England, says
I'VE are obliged 10 write as we never
dreamed of being forced to write about
"A country only less dear TO us than our
own But we should fail in our public
duty If we did not point out In the
strongest manner the grave risks which
are likely TO ensue from this attitude
Unless the United States assumes a very
different tone the gravest crisis is certain
to ensue Public opinion in England has
greatly changed during the last few
months and even If Lord Salisbury is in
clned to politely ignore such indiscre-
tons as Secretary Sherman's, the people
would not permit ii, and hereafter de-
mands. If urged in unfrendly language.
will be- resisted unanimously by the ma
ton. no matter what the risks may be.
If America does not keep a watch over
her politicians they will hurry her into
conflict with this country whereof no
one is able TO see the end"
a
long time that gave us more concern
than this.
The Spectator is weekly paper and
fl is ono Of the most dignihed and con-
servative papers the world has ever had.
as well as one Of the ablest. Nothing
light or trivial is admitted TO its columns,
and whatever is said there reflects the
sentiments and opinions of serious earn
est and deliberate men.
There may seem to be just the faintest
suggestion OF a threat in the Spectators
language, but we know the character of
the paper so well that we feel confident
nothing Of that sort was intended. The
paper intended to do nothing more than
deplore the awful calamity 10 mankind
that a serious breach between the United
States and England would be.
We are panied and Inundated that re
personalities Of the government OF the
United States should address such Ian
guage to the English government as the
authorities Of this country used to It in
the Venezuelan controversy and as Secre-
tary sherman used TO II i'm his note TO
Lord Salisbury last May. In both In
stances this country was made TO play
the part OF a bully and a swashbuckler
and every self-respecting American
blushed with shame at the thought that
his country was paraded before the world
in that odious and disgusting part. Our
English relatives may therefore take this
fact 10 heart however hard IL may be,
endure the affronts that are offered
them. Those afronts DO not come from
the minds and hearts of those Americans
who really constitute the State. They
wound them as grievously as they affront
the English.
When causes OF difference arise
between England and America as
they must arise between two ma
tons having so much Ia common
and so interiaced. the true Americans
wishes 10 see the rights OF his country
maintained with firmness; but he wishes
to see them maintained with dignity and
with proper regard for every right and
interest which may be claimed by
people entitled to all the respect that the
most respected nation enjoys. lie Is made
heart sick therefore when he finds that
his representatives, enter upon the ad-
justment OF those differences with the
air and the spirit Of gambler who sits
down to divide swag with his associate
whom he notifies in advance that he
looks on as a swindler that must be
watched.
We are free TO admit that we are not
surprised that thoughtful and conserva-
tive Englishmen are beginning TO talk as
the Spectator talks They have been pro-
voked until patience ceases 10 be a vir-
tue.
Yet we beg them TO exercise a little
moro patience stilL The billinesgate 10
which they have been treated is no ex-
preston of Americas real opinion. 1t is
the froth and the foam inevitably Incl
dent TO the working OF one institution
under which public affairs are conducted
by the noisy and indiscreet part of the
population. while the serious and earnest
men are engaged in magaging those great
enterprises that are making our country
tho wonder OF mankind. The sense OF
these citizens OF the United States cor
daily recognizes the indissoluble bonds
which bind the two countries together
and no thoughtful Englishman could look