Year: 1872

L


The settlement of the long continued dis
pute over the Northwestern boundary will
form a noteworthy event in the history of
President Grants administration. That the
decision of the Emperor of Germany has been
in our favor is gratifying to our national
pride, because it proves through strictly i'm
partial judgment that our original claim was
just and because it spares US the modification
of Withdrawing from territory over which our
flag has once been raised. The settlement is
a practical advantage inasmuch as it prevents
recurrence of those complications which in
1859 seriously threatened to involve the two
nations in war. Apart from these considera-
tions, however. we really gain but little in
substance by the fortunate result Of the arbi-
tratien; for we are disposed to regard
the stress placed upon the military value
of the position.;in our Washington des-
patches to-day as an effort at political
effect. San Juan Island. in possession of
which we are now confirmed, has o certain
value for its harbor, is fertile, possesses lime
stone quarries, and is fair fishing station
The other islands Of the group lying between
some fifteen or sixteen in number,
Of various sizes, Orcas and Lopez
Islands being the largest but none
of them are yet settled and the whole archi-
pelago would scarcely be worth fighting over
but for the principle involved in its ownership.
The English have chosen to put great stress
upon the possession Of San Juan, because
they regard it as dominating the entrance to
Vancouver and British Columbian waters.
The London Morning Post in commenting
recently upon the subject of the arbitration
said: -'sShould the award be against us the
effect will be very disastrous to British Colum-
bian interests, for, with an American naval
station and forts and batteries on San Juan,
the entrance to our waters could virtually be
closed to us at the option Of the United
States. And even if this were not so the
establishment Of strong American position
so very close to the shores Of Vancouver
Island would, in oil likelihood, lead to dan
gerous complications" We are inclined to
regard these objections as bugbears, over
which our British neighbors have no occasion
for alarm. First, because in the unfortunate
event of a war between England and the
United States the interests Of British Colum-
bia and Vancouvers Island would be Of very
little moment, and next because the quiet
possession of San Juan by the Ameri-
cans-to whom it belongs-is far less
likely than the present condition Of
affairs, or than British occupation
Of the island, to lead to dangerous complica-
TONS" However this may be, the boundary
dispute now belongs to the past. The judg-
ment rendered by the Emperor William is
| final and without appeal, and all that remains
| for England is to withdraw her troops from
their camp on the northern end Of the island,
and make herself as contented as she may
over the result. She may find some consola-
ton, probably, in the reflection that her claim
to carry the boundary line through the little
back passage of Rosario Strait was from the
first as absurd as it was ungracious; could
never have been sustained before any fair
tribunal, and but for the forbearance and
moderation of the Americans might have led to
less happy settlement than that which has
now been reached.


This affair being now so creditably and
satisfactorily disposed of we suggest that the
decision of the Emperor William affords an
excellent opportunity for such a change in
President Grants Cabinet as the nation
has long needed and the people have
long desired. Thanks to the Emperor and
to the justice Of our cause, one bright spot
\ has a. 9th ora1 fha lar1 1,oD DL-
ground of the Treaty Of Washington, and
Secretary Fish, twining the Northwestern
boundary line gracefully around him, can
make his bow to the President and afford him
the opportunity to fill vacancy in the Office
of Secretary OF State 1t is rumortd at Wash
ington-and we have reason to credit the
report-that the resignation of Mr.. Fish, if
rendered at this time, would not prove un-
acceptable to his chief, and the Secretary has
now the happy chance of retiring with flying
colors in the glory Of this single unqualified
success. We say this advisedly; for we do
not regard complications with Spain as
altogether improbable, in view of the temper
of that nation and of the condition of affairs
in Cuba, and we believe that Mr.. Fish, both
on account of his peculiar views and of his
peculiar relations, would find the Cabinet
position he now holds an undesirable
responsibility in such an event. Besides, it
is evident that popular sentiment favors
a bolder and frmer foreign policy
than that which has distinguished
President Grants administration under the
advice of the present Secretary of State. The
American people do not desire war. On the
contrary, they look to dignifed and resolute
attitude in our relations with foreign nations
as the most certain warranty Of peace. But
they would rejoice to hear that Phil Sheridan $
| troonarS xunre swennino along the line Of the