New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-10-22
TIE CANADIAN PRESS AND THE TIMES on
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.

The Canadians are evidently puzzled at the course
recently adopted by The London Times toward the
United States especially with reference TO the claims
Of Americans upon the British Government in con-
necton with tho dcppdatiops Of the pirate ship Ala
bama They seem not to know what to make of the
change which has come over the leading organ OF
English opinion in its sentiments American affairs;
and some Of their journals go for as to charge the
great Jupiter Of the European press with trucking
10 the United States The conductors Of these news
papers, in the piliful enmity they still manifest
toward our Government and people appear
to DO indignant at the idea that they should
be so incontincnty deserted by their powerful
friend. and hitherto fast and valued ally.
And VIC are bound to admit that at tho first blush
their case does bard one, provocative of COM
miseraon. By the detection of The Times they have
lost more than half their stock in trade. While The
Times continued defiant In grand way, they could
be safely boastiul in a small one. While The Times
argued Ioflily against the claims in question, they
could afford TO ridicue the idea of Americans presum
ing 10 seek compensation for their heavy losses. But
now that the uterances of the oracle have changed TO
tones of apparent amty, they must periorce give up
their little show Of aniagonism. They will have no
friend now Of any respectabiliiy to keep them in
cOlntenance.
We have ii in our power however, TO give these
dsconsolae and deepynured journalists little con-
ISOLATION in their trouble; at least, we incline to the
opinion that what we are about to state will have
decidedly soothing effect upon their rritated feelings
And il is Just this: there is sincerity in The Times
with regard 10 the Alabama business; By which We
mean that although yielding to the force of circum-
stances it has changed its tactics, its real sentiments
on the subject remain to-day what they were from
the beginning. The Times understands thoroughly
the doctrine Of expedency. 1t knows when to
dsparage and affect to despise, and when to
Aatter and profess to honor. 1t knows where
resistance ought to end and concession to
begin. With regard TO the article on tho Ala.
bama claims Of which so much has been made
the motives which dictated il patent and palpaGle
Il hes been penned ayowedy with reference to the
contingency Of Great Britain becoming involved in
war, aud to the reprsas which would in that case DO
made upon British commerce. The Times thinks il
sees danger ahead from the present state Of parties in
this country. "The exigences Of party warfare" it
says have always Influenced the foreign policy ofthe
United States They are just now peculiarly urgent;
the Irish vote will probably turn the Autumn cleo
tons, and the same motives which have apparently
led Mr. Seward TO wink at tho transport of warlike
stores to Mexico may possibly tempt and almost force
him on some future occasion TO revive the DOR
mant Alabama claims" Oh that Irish yote!" This
is where the shoe pnohes. II is easier to pay the Ala
bama claims than TO do justice to Ireland. 1t is no:
then any consideration arising out of the fairness of
claims that has moved The Times in this the
matters ii is apprehension, rather, of the possible
consequences to England of political ezigeney in
America, rendering il necessary for the Government
to eonciliate the Irish element. We do not quarrel
with The Times for using that discretion which, by
popular verdict is pronounced " the better part of
valor" and shall rejoice to see the Alabama bust
ness amicably settled, VIC hope it will be- but at
the same time for the special consolation of the anti
american portion Of the Canadian press, we feel
bound to declare honest sentiments on this sub
iect Let our brethren of Canada be comforted at
heart the old god Of their dolatry is still with them
in their jealousy Of the United States and their dis
like of our institutions