The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-02-28
The Alabama Claims.

The London Times, reviewing the
paragraph in the Queens speech
which refers to the settlement of Ame-
rlcan claims, says:
Whatever may have been the divi-
sions among us during the war, all
parties are now equally desirous to
remove all grounds of possible mis-
understanding, and promote relations
of cordial friendship with the Ame-
rican people" Nothing but a per
fectly sincere impression that no
colorable warrant existed in law or
precedent for the claims of the United
States, and that it would, therefore.
be inconsistent with our national ho
nor to entertain them, everinterfered
with the frank expression OF this de-
sire. lime has since done its healing
work, and has transferred the dispute
from the sphere of international law
INTO that of international morality.
When negotiations between private
friends are conducted through the
medium of third parties, it sometimes
happens that points which the prin-
clpals would cheerfully have waived
are pressed by the agents until iti-
cation becomes imminent. In such
cases, if the principals can be induced
to resume personal communica-
tlon, the adjustment of the affair
generally proves much simpler than
1T appeared. SO it is with ma
tions. So long as an international
dispute is prolonged by diplomatic
correspondence, it often looks quite
nsoluble when it really admits Of an
easy practical settlement. The con
cession which foreign secretary
feels bound to resist on legal grounds,
may be made by the nation whose
representative he is on moral grounds.
not only without humiliation, but
with true dignity. We are far, in
deed, from supposing that no grudge
against this country is harbored in
the minds of American politicians
Years may pass before they can for
give the sympathy manifested for the
South, or will cease to attribute to us
an unworthy jealousy Of the Union
1t would serve no good purpose to
urge once more against this fixed con-
vlctlon, or to estimate the proportion
OF truth which it contains. A more
just appreciation of the sentiments
which have always animated the great
mass OF EnSllshmen, and prevailed
over seli-lnterest under Il long and
severe ordeal, can only be inspired
gradually, if it is to be inspired at
all. In the meantime, both the Go
vernment and the people of the
United States have every motive
selfish as well as honorable, for vel
coming Il favorable arrangement of
the Alabama claims There is no
longer any material obstacle to an
agreement on the basis of arbitra-
aon, or what, perhaps, involves fewer
objections, to a reference OF the whole
question to q joint commission, with
fnll powers to make such an award as
would be within the province of an
arbitrator The princi Pile of arbitra
ton beng once admitted, it makes
little difference which Of these alter
natives is chosen. If the intervention
OF a European. sovereign would be
unpalatable to the United States. if
would be sufficient reason for pre-
terrlng the second, and it was in pros
pect OF this contingency that we ven
tured to recommend the revision Of
the neutrality laws by the same body
which IS charged to adjndicate on the
Alabama claims. At all events, it is
to be hoped that joint commission.
If appointed, will comprise laymen
OF eminence as well as lawyers.