Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-01-03
Chickens Coming Home to Roost.

The President, in his late message, refers
with admirable fairness and good temper to
the numerous cases of dispute between this
nation and foreign powers, which have una
voidably arisen since the outbreak of civil
war, resulting from unintentional violation of
neutral rights under circumstances sure to oc-
cur whenever the ordinary international and
commercial relations arc disturbed by hostili-
ties on sea and land. The President is de-
termincd that no punctillios or sensibilities
slfn!l prevent our Government from doing ex.
act justice in all clear cases, and the doubtful
ones he proposes to submit to convention of
the foreign ministers for examination and ad-
justment. This proposition has been made
especially to Great Britain, France, Spain
and Russia, and by them kindly received,
though not formally adopted. The President
intimates that We have cause for complaint, as
well as foreign powers; and this fact, though
he does not say what the cause is, will oper-
ate to make the acceptance Of his friendly and
reasonable proposition more probable and sat
isfactory, especially on the part of Great
Britain. Most of the complaints of violation
of neutral rights Or treaty stipulations made
to our Government during tho civil war have
been preferred by this power, ever more SEN
sitive and captious than others, aud especially
so since the United States appeared to be in
a position to render hectoring safe. The lat
est complaints from this source arose out of
Gen. Buffers summary method of dealing
with Anglo-rcbels in New Orleans. men who,
while demanding protection az British SUBJ
jects and neutral>, were doing all in their
power to help the enemies Of the United
States; initiating on small scale the exam
pie of the British Government itself, which
declaring itself neutral on paper, makes its
practice rebound to the interest-of the rebel
lion, refuses to permit United States war yes.
sells to put into her harbors for coal and sup.
plies. but gladly admits Confederate priva-
tcers. allows them to recruit their crews, and
consents to the construction and sailing Of
more like them. But lately the chickens Of
this sinister power are coming home to roost.
The privatccr .ilalama, built by British me-
chanics, in a British port, with British money,
and manned in part by British sailors, has
with true piratical impartiality preycd upon
British and American commerce alike. Her
recent deprcdations involve the rights Of no
less than three European governments-Eng-
land, Italy and Portugal-and are likely to
become subject Of special interest to all
maritime nations. One, at least, of the ships
burned by the alabama was loaded entirely
with the property Of British subjects. bound
for British port; while others had cargoes
belonging to the subjects Of several different
powers The sealed bills of lading and con-
sular certificates TO prove these facts were
presented to the commander Of the alabama,
who disregarded them, took what he wanted
and fred the vessels. At tho beginning of
the war the United States offered to agree to
previous proposition Of Great Britain and
France that privateers should be considered
as pirates and treated accordingly. Great
Britain declined the offer. and is subjected to
tho humiliating necessity of being held re-
sponsible before civilization for these barbarous
infractions of its usages and laws. The des.
truction of American vessels loaded with the
property of neutrals, by pirates sailing under
her flag, who went from hor own shores in vi
olation of the restrictions prescribed by mu-
nicipal as we'll as International laws, has been
made the subject of complaint and protest by
Secretary Seward, whose views upon the sub
iect have long ere this been fully made known
to the British Government through Minister
Adams. With this cause of real grievance
on our part, England will be inclined to a
more patient aud reasonable mood with refer
ence to complaints against us. arising from &C.
cident and misapprehension. If It should
prove that she has really, as reported, dis
patched some of her feet to aid in capturing
the pirate alabama, the way to an amicable
adjustment Of International differences will be
still farther .smoothed, and her reputation
with loyal Americans be repaired somewhat.
--->1e---- .....
TnE PRESIDENT AND EMANcIPATioN-A
dispatch dated at Washington, November 20,
says: ~ Hai
In the course of general conversation yes.
tertlay. touching the recent elections. Lincoln,
as we learn directly from one Of the gentlemen
present, said in effect, that the result Of the
elections had in no way modified his views
regarding tho wisdom Of emancipating all the
slaves within the rebel lines on the first of
January that he had issued tho prociama-
ton Of September 22d after long and though
full deliberation, and that he should stand by
it-.-sceing no reason why he should not do 80.
Lincoln introduced this topic himself.
a BEAUTIFUL THOUGHT. - Leigh Hunt
says, "Thos, who have lost an infant, are
never, as it were, without an infant child.
They are the only persons who in one sense
retain it always. and they furnish other par.
ensts with the same idea. The other children
grow up to manhood aud womanhood. and
suffer all tho changes Of immortality. This
noe alone is rendered an immortal child"
T Only those who have thoughts like
lightning deserve to have voice like thun.
der to utter them.