The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-11

| In the Senate of the United States on Mon
to recognize the belligerent rights Of Abys-
sina, his object being to reciprocate the cour-
| tesy Of England towards us In 1861 in pro-
claiming her neutrality on the basis Of the
equal belligercnt rights Of the "so-callcd Con-
federate States" But for this position
assumed by England in support OF the rebel
lion, Mr.. Chandler commended that il would have
been put down In six months, and two hundred
thousand lives and two thousand millions Of
dollars would have been saved. A large num-
Der Of American ships were also LOST by that
recognition Hence he was in favor of decisive
measures in exacting from the British govern
mont a large indemnity. He considered, in
fact, that we held lien on every foot Of
British soil on this Continent, and he would
never again refer to the Alabama claims until
this mortgage was foreclosed.
Mr.. Anthony admitted the Justice Of these
complaints against England, but pleaded the
policy OF peaceable measures for satisfac-
ton. Mr.. Reyerdy johnson thought no
greater evil could happen this coan-
Try than a war with Great Britain.
Mr.. Sumner, chairman on Foreign Relations
and la immediate rapport with tho State
Department, referring to the Presidents Mes
snge touching these Anglo-rcbel spoliations on
our merchant ships, said that Mr.. Chandler's
resolution was premature, that certain docu-
ments were expected, and that ii would. be
better to wait until the committee officially
charged with all these matters had considered
them, az they covered one Of the most inn
portant questions ever presented them touch
ing not only our interest directly involved,
but certain great principles of the Law Of
nations, and 80 on. Mr. Nye thought that
some specific instructions TO the Committee on
Foreign Affairs would not be out Of place and
~ for himself, when Great Britain paid those
damages and apologixed for her insults to the
American flag, be would be ready for the
peace policy advocated by the Senator from
Rhode Island.
| We reproduce thess salient points Of The
debate in question in order 10 show, ~ far
as we can, what they signify. Mr.. Chandler
has been consistent in his position on the
general question since Lord Russells Often
! ton OF 1861; but in this matter, % In
many others, II has generally been sup
| posed that Mr. Chandler has permitted
his radical zeal to outrun his discretion. We
think, however, that he has not been too fast
in bringing mp this subject at the present time,
although we rather suspect that belliserent
rights to Ably ssinia, IL granted, would never be
81 ~ Oh IA
sccnded from King solomon and the Queen
OF Sheba; we also suspect that Mr.. Sumner
Is 10 perfect accord with the Secretary of State
10 temporizng, evading and putting OF this
question Of British indemnity from the fear OF
giving mortal offence to England by pushing
the CONTROVERSY to General Jsckson's ulimatum
Of indemnity or reprisals.
| President johnson, under Mr.. Stewards inHu-
ence, hesi,ates 70 take the decisive step. The
chairman Of the Senate committee and the
chairman General Banks) Of the House Com
mittce on Foreign Affairs are awaiting those
| expected documents from the State Depart
meut. But the Presidents Message plainly
iutimstes that England has taken her position,
aud That we have nothing 10 expect from her
as the controversy now stands. In this dilemma
the proposition Of Mr.. Nye, 70 instruct the
Senate committee by resolution 10 report some
definite line Of action, appears to DO the only
remedy. We would accordingly suggest the
trial OF such resolution in the Senate, requir-
lug Mr.. Summers COMMITTEES TO report . joint
resolution advising the President TO try the
ul.imatum on these Alabams claims OF General
Jackson for we have no doubt that such =
resolution can be passed through both houses.
| II 80 passed the course OF the President will
DO plain, and he will chserfully pursue il.
The question Of war involved In this uli-
matum belongs 70 Congress; but let 1t be
| adopted, and there will be no war. No danger
Of it Eneland will come down With her
indemnity, and The prestige Of tho United
States will thus become that Of the nrst nation
on the face OF the globe. As 10 the pulse Of
the American people, II will respond TO this
ultimstum from ocean to ocean. Let the reso-
luton suggested be tried, and our way out Of
This difficulty will soou appear