Year: 1867




could understand it; but we question II our
obtnse and shoddy contemporary can.


Our Relations with England.


The speech from the throne in Great Britain
always and necessarily commands attention.
From tho violently excited condition OF the
political world generally, and from the un-
settled condition Of the United Kingdomftself,
the Queens speech has commanded this year
more than usual attention and been read with
more than ordinary interest. The American
public can scarcely fail to be gratifed with the
prominence which is given to the relations OF
Great Britain with this country and we be-
lieve We but give expression to feeling which
Is general when we say that the spirit in which
the British government seems now disposed to
deal with the Alabama claims will meet on
this side with hearty response. This ques-
tion may now in fact be considered as vir-
tually settled. There can be no serious OBJ
lection to the appointment Of an International
jury nor can there be much doubt as to how
that jury will decide. Besides the compensa-
ton which cannot be withheld, the jury, II may
be taken for granted, will agree upon certain
general principles which viii permanently
secure the freedom Of the seas.


The Derby Ministry are justly entitled to
praise for the course they have pursued in this
matter Their conduct from first to las, has
stood out in striking contrast to that of the
would-be liberal Ministry Of Earl Russell
Earl Russell, in truth, belongs to past age.
His ideas do not harmon,ze with the swift
marching events Of the present times. The
course Of policy to be adopted in regard to this
country, as well as other lines Of policy indi-
Gated in the speech from the throne, encourage
the belief that the British people may fnd in
the much maligned tories more genuine bene-
factors than they could hope to find in their
more pretentious rivals, the whigs.


1t is impossible, however. to dissociate the
sensible and conciliatory course adopted by the
British government in regard to the Alabama
claims from those violent reform agitations
which are convulsing the land from one end TO
the other II is manifcstly not convenient for
Great Britain, with SO much work on hand aris-
ing from the internal affairs Of the country, to
iuVVivO nCASCAt Al 00liOu5 COuiptiCsttituH Wltu
foreign Powers. The intelligence which we
print to-day relating to the behavior Of the
London populaco On the occasion Of the open
ing Of Parliament shows that there is indeed
great canse for alarm. Making even large
allowance for. thc chilling sefccts Of IN
unusually dismal day and for the cooling IN
auence Of perfect deluge Of rain, the entire
absence of enthusiasm on the part Of tho peo,
pie, who have ever been In the habit OF greet
ing the appearance Of her Majesty with de-
monstrations Of delight, must be otherwise
accounted for. II indicates state Of chronic
discomfort, which many have been slow to be-
lievs in. On this her first appearance Of the
kind, after great sorrow and somewhat
protracted retirement, the Queen herself must
have been impressed with the change. 1t is
impossible, indeed, TO exaggerate the excite
ment which prevails The old ties which
bound the people to the throne and to the
aristocrecy are one by one giving way, and il
is daily becoming more apparent that, peace
fully or otherwise, changes are about to be
inaugurated in England which will work . new
era in her history. II is we'll, indeed, for Eng
lands naughty and exclusive oligarchy that
their destInies are to large extent in the
hands Of man who Is not bound up in the
narrow prejudices Of their order. Obstruction,
there Is reason to believe, would have been
persisted in but Tor him; and obstruction
would have been their ruin. Disraeli clearly
pcrceives that the srisiocracy Of birth, even in
England, must give place to the sristocracy Of
talent and Of worth. Nay, more; he has the
courage TO prepare the way for the new and
better order Of things. Strange, indeed, IL is
that the proudcst Of highlands nobility should
follow the lead Of = son Of Israel. But 80 il is.
The aristocracy Of birth is already yielding 10
the aristocracy Of talent A descendant OF the
tribe Of Juda is one Of England's ablest finan-
cicrs. A descendant Of the tribe Of Benjamin
Is her wealthiest citizen. Greater changes will
follow. Meanwhile let US be thankful that the
Alabama claims are ut last about TO be salts
factorily settled.