The record-union., 1898-07-03

said unpleasant things of the
Union cause, some times con-
veying the erroneous impression
that they spoke the voice Of the ma
ton. This was partly due to ignorance
The United States was not understood
by them or even anywhere largely in
Europe. With the extension of the
suffrage in England things are differ
emit, and the people are better heard
and more commanding in their express
sion- The masses were with Lincoln
IN 1853, but their sentiment told very
Little then upon the wealthy classes and
the papers, where now 1T is alI-tellinp
and powerful.
England looks to-day upon America
as the champion Of popular govern
ment against the great military mon
arches of Continental Europe, and as
the only country which with Britain
has recognized the freedom of the in
dlvidual as against the official Thus
the chief cause Of the change in the
ruling sentiment in England Is the
change in the political conditions in
England itself. Another great cause is
the better knowledge we are coming
TO have of each other, due to habits of
travel, business relations and inter-
change, educational influences and com
mon thinking and knowledge of each
other as individuals, regardless Of Gov
eminent officials and action and the
papers, which formerly were the only
vehicles of information.
Governments are brought into con-
tact by differences and their dealing is
cold. hard and formal But it Is very
different between peoples interming-
ling and coming to know each other
as human beings. Newspapers are
prone to dwell on points of difference
rather than Of agreement. 1t is more
easy to carp, cavil and satarize than
to approve and praise. Even in Europe
half the ill-feeling is due to the goad-
ings Of the press.
A truer insight has enabled British
and Americans to realize the substan-
tial identity of thought and feeling be-
tween the two peoples. As an instance
Of this. Mr.. Bryce cites the common
sentiment Of Englishmen and Ameri-
cans regarding the massacres in the
far east in 1895 and 90. which excited
in Continental Europe little commits
GRAFTON, because the facts were kept
from the people by the press, and the
governing powers. Again. the circum-
stances Of the Venezuelan difficulty
show how great is the influence of the
personal contact Of Americans and
Englishmen, since few persons had the
slightest idea that the matter would
result in a conflict There was a shock
of surprise, then Of grief, then Of q
common fleeing that it would be absurd
and shameful for the two peoples to go
at each others throats.
Just after that q Continental Power
affronted England, and she resented it
promptly and vigorously, whereupon
there went out a great wave of SYM
which softens a mans heart toward q
relative with whom he has had a cool
ness, so soon as he finds his kinsman
threatened from some other quarter.
Alliances of nations are usually based
on interest alone, and last no longer
than the cause producing them. But
when other ties than those of common
material benefit exist their Existence
may give to those relations 81 eatly in
creased strength and permanence, just
as a partnership is stronger and lasts
longer if the partners have a personal
regard for and a personal trust in one
another.
Britain and the United States have
nowhere in the world any conflicting
interests. In some directions they have
identical interests. They are in some
respects complimentary to each other;
as. one is the great food-raising and
the great consumer of sea-borne food
and raw cotton; the one is becoming
the chief producer, the other the CHIEF
distributor. Each has the strongest
interest in the welfare of the other, as
prosperity or depression in either tells
upon the other.
There exists as regards political In
terest a basis for the establishment ol
the most close and cordial relations be-
| tween the two countries. independent
Of the chances and changes OF the mo-
ment. Community OF blood. similarity
| of institutions. capacity for under
standing and appreciating each other
habits OF feeling and thought essential