Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-07-08
Tlie Destruction of the Alabama.


The country is filed with enthusiasm
over the signal triumph of the Kearsage.
It is evident from the English papers
that the defeat of the Alabama is regarded
as defeat of an English vessel. And
well they may, for the Alabama was not
only English built but was manned by
English seamen and armed with English
guns Trained gunners from the English
practising ship Excelsior, were put on
board Of her to destroy the Kearsage. The
defeat of the Alabama therefore touched
the pride ofthe English people. That this
feeling is entertained by many in England
IS evident in the following language taken
fioIn the London Morning Herald:
We cannot but feel grieved at the loss
Of the brave ship, (which was almost as
much English rs Confederate in whose de-
fense We may recognize the bulldog cour-
age of our eountrymen as well as the chiv-
alrous impetuosity Of her Southern COM
mander1 The news of this combat Will,
We fear, "carry mourning into more than
one English home But in the end of the
gallant ship" which was English too -
there il, after all, little to regret, much of
which to be proud. She sank uncOnquered
and defiant in the waters of the channel,
refusing to the last to lower her flag, leav-
ing no trophy in the hands Of her enemy.
Although such tory organs as the Her
aid may mourn for the loss of the Ala
bama, we have no doubt but the govern
ment authorities were themselves delighted
IN view of the fact that a careful record
has been kept at Washington of the dam
ages done American commerce by the reb-
el pirate.
Already the government organs are be-
ginning to disavow the Alabama in the
hope Of escaping from the consequences
that viii attend demand for damages.
The London Post cndeavors to disprove
the assertion that the Alabama was a pri-
rateerr y, itl,ouU d, 1esIrimare- commission,
and concludes by saying: .
Either as regards the Alabama's origin
or her subsequent career, there is, however,
but one opinion which unbiased and inn
partial inquirers can never entertain
That this country is not responsible for
her departure from our ports is evidenced
by the fact that in the similar scase of the
Alexandria the government failed to es-
tablish their right to detain the vessel,
and, therefore, the seizure Of the Alabama,
had it taken place, wopld have been an
illegal act: I'd .ir ..
It is evident, also, that English journals
hook upon the contest as one involving con-
sequences very important to themselves.
The London Times cannot conceal its anxi-
ETY., and says: t.H
Is there not Something ominous in such
an encounter within our own seas2 Such
a contest, so brief so hard fought, and 50
decisive, is even more terrible than the hand
to hand tussle and the mere game Of fisti-
cuffs that our old fleets used to indulge IN
with 4 thousand popguns on either side
True, there was damage done at last, but
sometimes very little damage to speak Of
and a big ship might receive many hun
dred shots only TO have the glory of show
ing the shOtholes to the populace of Ports
mouth. tits not so now. At the distance
Of mile, never less than a quarter of mile,
Il formidable ship, the terror of American
commerce, well armed, well manned, well
handled, is sent to the bottom in an hour2
England and France, in whose waters
the great naval battle was fought, viii
learn that we yet have navy, and that it
may not be wise to venture too Ear in threat
oniro, .intar,vapfinp. ..-U
The old naval glory of the Republic
might come back much TO the shame and
ruin of the English navy and commerce.