Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-12-20
THE DIFFICULTY WITH ENGLAND.

l.
Earl RUSSELL deserves high praise for his
candor, at least, as well as for his decisive ac
ton. Pressed very closely by Mr.. ADAMS,
on the question of England liability to pay
the damages inflicted on the commercial ma
rine OF this country by the piraces of the
Alabama and other British built and Brit
ish-owned war vessels, he first suggested the
appointment OF commission, to which
might be referred-anything but the same
question of damages and compensation. FL
nally, having been asked ,chdt he would re-
fer, his Lordship paused to write long let
ter, in which he reviewed his whole policy
as foreign minister, and curtly said that this
would be the last notice that he should take
of the American claims; that England " hich
telegraphed for the stoppage OF mo. 290,''
alas the Alabama after that vessel had
steamed out of Liverpool into the Irish Sea-
had done all she could TO prevent the con-
struction and fitting out of pirates; that all
that was possible was done under the For
eign Enlistment Act, and that, this noted
statue being ineffective, the American and
English Governments might wisely deter
mine whether better measure might not be
nevised."
This remarkable missive means war,
though Earl RUSSELL may not know 1t.
We are a peaceful people; we never have
wiifully provoked, annoyed or insulted any
other nation. We have just emerged from
tour-years' war, forced upon us by an ILL
advised portion of our fellow-citizens, and
concluded at vast expenditure of blood and
treasure it is true, but with the noble re-
suit of wholly abolishing slavery within our
| mighty empire. We have large national
| debt, which has imposed upon us heavy
weight of taxation, but we are ready, as
| people, to take up arms again, II the bitter
need must be, and contend, on the field and
! on the wave, for the malntalDance OF our
national honor, by forcing England to COIN
pensate our mero hants and ship for
| the damage done TO them by British pirates,
sailing under the Confederate flag, yet not
one OF which ever cast an anchor In a Con
| tederate port. We laid our claims before
| the British Government III firm and re-
specttul MANNER and after various shifts
and delays are now told, with all the inso-
lence of Office added to his own, by a little
whipper- snapper OF an aristocrat, who has
accidentally became the chief adviser and
servant OF Queen VICTORIA that he really
cannot be troubled any more with such COM
plajnts from US. If Lord RUSSELL imagines
that he can bluff us off in this cool manner,
he will find himself mistaken and his col
league, Mr.. GLADSTONE, instead OF propos-
ing new reductions of taxation, (which, by
| the way, did not diminish the amount OF
public revenue raised) will have to prepare
tor war budget, with new taxes, large Is
sue of exchequer-bills, and an increase Of
the National Debt. Our just claims on
England must be conceded-peaceably, il
possible; torcibly, if necessary.
The inso lence of Lord RUSSELL is moth
ing new. HIS policy, while in the Foreign
Offices was to bully the small, and be obse-
quious to the great powers. Perhaps he
i thinks that because We have just ended a
great war, we may be unable or unwilling
to assume a hostile position against Eng
land He is mistaken. If this country be
insulted, we shall not think it too much to
vindicate its honor and obtain what Is our
due. 1t would be no small strife IT it be EN-
tered into A few more mpertlnent letters
from the British Premier, and we do not
see how it can be avoided. We may have
to force Justice from England. If so oul
people will say with PALEFox, WAR to
the knife.
The loss of Lord PALMERSTON will now
be felt and lamented more than ever. H'
had his faults. but his sagacity was great, hi
experience extensive, bis temper well
lated, and his common sense practical. III
would never have permitted Lord RUSSELL
to play the fool as he has done, IN the c; se
TIE Times VIGOROUSLY anti-American in 1t
politics and prejudices, arraigns Lord kUS
SELL for his unconditional surrender OF thu
officersand crew of the Shenandoah, hope
this was not done without communication
with Mr. ADAMs, declared that Capt
WADDELL' S treatment OF "the unfOrtun
ate men whom he had captured in th'
whalers was singularly brutal. discredit
the statements in his letter, and affrm
that it is for the American Governmen
either to prosecute WADDELL and hi
ruffians under the British law, or to claim
them under the extradition treaty. " Clam
them? Of ntons? Lord RUSSELL vii
coolly say, 81 discharged them. Look TO
them, and if you find them you will not los
your labor.
The people of England, we are confident
have no desire to have war with the Unl
ted States. No doubt they will expires
their opinion There is now good Oppor
tunity for our excellent friend j oEN BRIGHT
to move the peace party, and remonst,rate a
gainst the unstatesmanly ana inJud.cioa
ultinatun. of Lord RUSSELL. One thlng L
certain. he cannot remain at the head
the British Government II be continues II
hlnnder as he has commenced Say wha
he NAV. do what he will, England must ano
will nav her lust compensation, as deman
ded. for damages done to American commerce
by British pirates. s.-fress.
PosTAL.-During the year ending Jun'
3Oth, 465, 900. 900 letters passed through tn
moi Q Of the Tnitad States at a cost to th