THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 5, 25 February 1871, Page 1

THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.

Changeable as the weather is the political horizon of the world. The lower-, ing aspect of the one comes no more suddenly on us than the boding “ little cloud” in the other. Fortuately for mankind the ominous appearances which loom so threateningly to peace pass off as harmlessly and as often as the barometer rises to fair weather level. Baseless alarms far outnumber actual calamities; Threatened complications between friendly powers are matter for solicitude at any time ; but they are still more so at the present, when one false step might lead to an imbroglio of the most disastrous nature. It is therefore but natural that the English press should just now be Argus-eyed in scanning the actions and policy of foreign powers. The previous mail news showed that the English press were filkY with alarm at the attitude of Russia, were doing their best to evolve the wisdom that is supposed to exist in a multitude of-councillors. Fortunately that hour of danger seems to have rolled harmlessly by, and if the gloom has not entirely passed away the question wears at least an aspect which is reassuring. But,that source of alarm no sooner gives place to a sense of relief than a war shadow is cast from America by the President’s message, and the home press is occupied for the hundredth time in discussing the menacing tone of public opinion in that country. The Alabama question, which has been a standing grievance for some time, and which seems to become enveloped in a denser fog every day, has been referred to by President Grant in such terms as to give serious alarm to the janitors of public opinion in England. This, however, seems to us of minor importance to the fishery question, on which President Grant has also touched in his message. Had the Alabama claims directly affected some sectional interest of the people instead of being composed of claims distributed throughout the mercantile interest of the Union, it is probable that in the struggle for political power such pressure would have been exercised as would have brought the question to an issue before this time. This fishing matter seems to us a much more dangerous one for many reasons. The fishing interest of the eastern states is of a most important character, and one on which depends the welfare of a large

f section of the population of those 1 states, and that not the-most intelligent portion, and therefore correspondingly dangerous from their liability to misdirect their voting power on a question which so nearly affects them. The case stands thus. The politicians of the country are “ making their game” as it were ; the Dominion has seized several American fishermen caught inside Canadian boundaries. President Grant stigmatises the action as “ unneighborly,” and suggests reprisals—that is, by suspending the passage of goods in bond from Portland to Canada, and if necessary to forbid Canadian vessels access to American waters. Add to this the feeling of irritation still rankling in Canadian breasts over the recent Fenian fiasco, the bitterness that springs from a want of reciprocal interests; the constant poaching of American fishermen in Canadian waters ; the recent seizures of several of them by the Dominion authorities ; —and we have the principal causes which may multiply into a rupture of some kind. This array of causes might seem conclusive enough _ were it not that we know President Grant is going to stand for re-election ; and however high be has stood in English opinion during his past tenure of office, we can’t help thinking there is much in this last message that may be safely put down as political bunkum, and should therefore be largely discounted. The active and unscrupulous firebrand, Butler, has always wielded a large influence amongst the party which placed Grant in power, and as Grant and he are said to be on a very good understanding at present, it is very likely that the wily President is pandering a little to the party to save appearances until the Presidential election is tided over. In his first election he was so far master of the situation, that he mounted into power without showing his hand. It is not to he supposed such a powerful party would submit to his repeating this a second time, especially as he never submitted to any of their trammels while in the White House. We can hardly think that Grant, who has always shown that he was able to avail himself of the fortune of circumstances, is likely to lose the reputation he has achieved, both as a soldier and a politician, by thinking of acting upon his bellicose message. Dangerous as present appearances may be regarded, as affecting the amicable relations existing between two countries so closely connected in every way, it is not improbable that the exigencies of politics, and the unscrupuiousness of demagogues may, during the coming elective campaign, create still more serious complications. There are so many and so powerful sections amongst American citizens, still bearing about them European national prejudices, which afford so many levers to designing parties, that it is not so easy for the good sense of the country to make head against them. In this respect the 1 strong German and Irish elements are j forcible instances of unstableness ; but we would fain hope that as the wisdom and honesty of both countries have so ; long continue to avert any serious complications, they will still continue to do so.