The Portland daily press., 1866-11-15

The LINES ON THE ALABAMA CLAras.--Tbe
London Times of the Both ult adds to its pre-
vious outgivings respecting the Alabama
CLAIMS new exhortation on the necessity of
adjustment. The Times says
Z We have more than once, during the present
autumn, reminded our readers of the ont
standing Alabama claims If these claims
Were, as some people think, destitute of all le-
gal OF reasonable foundation-still more. If thew
We're preferred out of mere desire to pick a
quarrel with us, it would be useless to waste
words upon them. No one, however sincere
maybe his horror of war, can maintain that
an entirely groundless demand ought to be al
lowed, for the sake Of peace, by Christian
nation, or that such concession would have
any other effect than to invite further aggres-
sion. The present question, however wears n
very different aspect. 1t is certain that what
ever view may be taken on this side of the At
lantle, an almost universal opinion prevails ON
the other that the United States have suffered
q grieyous wrong at our hands, and that we
nave denied through our governments legiti--
mate claim for reparation. This in itself con-
stitutes a strong case for Consideration and IL
necessary, for reconsideration. A nation. like
an individual, is not an impartial Judge in its
own cause but this remark applies to ourselves
as well as to the other party and Justice conn
peis US to observe that in offering to submit the
matter to arbitration the Americans have given
tine best pro0fof confidence in the Justice oftheir
position. Few lawyers, indeed, looking at the
circumstances from purely legal DOint of
view, will deny that great deal may be said
forthe arguments embodied in the dispatches
of Mr.. Adams and Mr.. Seward.
After some comments upon the recent article
in the North American Review dealing with
this subject, the Times adds:
If the dictates of justice be doubtful. those
OF policy are clear. Great Britain has every
thing to gain by the adoption of code where
ny aweaker maritime power may be restrain
ed rom equipplng Alabamas in American
ports. Our navy may or may not be the most
powerful in the world, but, if It were ten times
as powerful as it is, it could not protect our
commercial marine against privateers built
anywhere and commissioned nowhere. 1t is
ence, that in time of war the United States
would never allow their shipbuilding trade TO
be prejudiced by such engagements Asser-
tons OF this kind are not only insulting to the
honor OF kindred nation, out unjust in the
highest degree. The original Foreign Enlist
ment Act of 1894, SO damaging to French in
terests, was passed by Congress when senti-
nsns Of rsndshP WPrs toHaEd " feET E5pae 5aS6a ana daa
decisionsof the United States courts on deli
cate points of international law are deservediv
quoted with the greatest respect in our own
Though we lament the disposition lately
shown to retaliate supposed injuries at our
hands, by altering the existing American law
in the wrong direction, we do not believe that
as it stands it would be perverted by Ameri-
can judges, or that more stringent act If
passed by the legislatures of both countries.
would fail to be enforced in either Let us an
ticipate, then, the violent counsels of a domi-
nant party by eonciliatory overtures which
would be appreciated by the whole nation
We have Foreign Secretary, who is not only
free to oso, without any sacrifice of personal
dignity, but enjoys the rare credit, both at
home and abroad, of being superior to national
prejudices. Such an opportunity, if lost, NAV
not recur before some fresh dispute arises to
tomake its settlement impossible