The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-11
The Neutr ality Question Time for a
u UltimatuEn to England.

From The Herald
Whatever else may follow from the Fenian
movements against Canada, they have at least
resulted in a most convincing illustration of the
wonderful difference established between prac
teal British and American neutrality. We have
already reproduced from the historical facts of
our late Southern Rebellion the scandalous
doings of the Canadians as friendly neighbors
and as prolessed neutrals; and how they aided
and abeted in Montreal, citizens and officials
the most infamous Conspiracies for the destruc
ton OF our cities, our President and Cabinet
Government and country. This Canadian neu-
trality, however was only copy OF that of the
Imperial Government of England. To the utmost
verge OF false pretenses during our late struggle
to save the Union from shipwreck, the British
Government praCtlsed that system OF neutrality
which Joab, the generalnchiel of Israel prac-
tised upon Abner in stabbing him under the
filth rio while taking him aside under the pre-
tense of little quiet friendly conversation.
This was the neutrality OF Lord John Russell.
George Bancroft has fixed it upon him. The
many millions of American property destroyed
upon the high seas by Rebel cruisers built
equipped, and manned in British seaports, and
emerging thence upon one frivolous excuse or
another, were so many millions sacrificed to
British neutrality. The contributions which, as
political ventures in q Southern Confederacy
were furnished from England in the way of
arms, clothing, and munitions and materials of
war, would probably amount to many millions
more. The English blockade-runners and their
cargoes captured destroyed from the hrst to
the last of The late Rebellion have been esti-
mated, we believe, at some thirty odd millions
of dollars in value; and those runners averaged
| four or five successful trips each before their
career as carriers and ietchers of Jetf. Davis was
ended.
Their great temptation was Confederate cot
| ton," the immense profits derived from the eX-
| change OF it for English goods paying for the
| loss OF steamer after two or three escapes.
| But English sympathy with the Rebellion and
| English neutrality had also much to do with
this blockade running, as well as with the Rebel
cotton loan Those powerful Armstrong guns
found on the Rebel works at Fort Fisher and
labelled as presents from Sir William, and
various other offerings in the way of aid and
comfort justify the belief that but for British
! sympathy and neutrality 1t would not have re-
| quired one-halt of the three hundred thousand
| Union soldiers sacrificed to put down this ldte
| so-called Southern Conlederacy. The strong
belief of the Rebels that this British neutrality
must end In an open alliance with them was Of
itself equal to millions OF money to the Rebel
cause.
We think it not an extravagant opinion that
at least half of our present national debt
and Federal taxation may be charged to the
account of British neutrality, although under
the positive requirements of law we may not be
| able to enforce any demand for indemnity ex-
Cept for those notorious Anglo Rebel spoliations
upon the high seas In regard to these, ho W.
ever, our Government ought no longer to delay
positive ult!matum, according TO the example
of Andrew Jackson touching certain French
spoliations We have had quite enough, if not
little too much, of the milk and water, tempo
rizmg, shilly-shally policy of Ar. Seward. He
is a politician run to seed, or desperate adven-
turer who has lost his way, or the rider of a
hobby, "the irrepressible conflict" that has at
last thrown him, From the great apostle of the
crusades he has fallen TO the verest diplomatic
twaddler. His letterwriting, do-nothing foreign
policy is not the policy of the present admins
tIation. He may stand sill but events move on,
IN wn m unn wifi or he crxif ba6 off
the track.
A special ambassador should be sent to Eng
land by President johnson with a positive de-
mand iorI indemnity for those Anglo-Rebel spola-
tons upon American commerce. We do not
want another volume of correspondence from
Mr.. Seward on the subject. Spare us that infic-
ton The Government should now strike while
the iron is hot from these Fenian movements
and this Canadian scare. We have shown Eng.
land an honest neutrality, and now we may,
with the applause OF the world, exact the
penalty for dishonest neutrality. We have
saved her the Canadas and her contiguous pos
sessions from revolution, and the least we can
demand is the payment of the debts she owes us
on the score OF neutrality-paYments 'cash down
on the nail"
Such reclamation, closing the door at once
to Mr.. Stewards letter writing, would be the
making OF President Johnson's administration
at home and abroad. We want something o
this kind to bring us foremost in the front rank
} OF the great nations, where we ought to stanC
AUTOMATICALLY as well AS in our material pros
peritY. We want something like this as
wholesome diversion against the everlasting
negro agitation. The offended public senti
ment of the country demands it. This public
sentiment revolts at the idea of this reverend
ing, still beginning 1unkeyism to England
Give us something better, Mr.. Johnson. Put IL
, your demand upon England in the Jacksonial
style, and you will secure not q little of tn
glory and Strength of Jackson's administration
7 You have only to say, "These indemnites
Won please, or no more neutrality with tn
Fenians," and the thing is settled; and the time
: Mr.. President, has come.
n I