The national Republican., 1867-12-16
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.

This question has already assumed consider
able Importance on both sides Of the Atlantic,
and 1t was expected by m my in this country that
the Presidents annual message would shed
much more light upon the subject than 1t does
The fact that the President did not develop more
fully the precise relation In which this interna-
tional controversy Is now held, was owing, pro-
badly, to the fact that the country 10 soon to be
made acquainted with the condition OF Affairs as
they stand In negotiation between Mr.. Seward
and Lord Stanley.
Mr.. sumner has stated that full information
will soon be given to the country, and that the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Of which Mr.. S.
10 chairman, are. duly impressed with the mo-
mentous character Of the question at stake be-
tween the two countries.
We think II there is any question upon which
the people OF the United States feel deep in
terest II Is this, and they will stand by our Gov
ernment as one man In all Of Its efforts to bring
the English Government to a just acknowledg-
ment OF our claims.
The American people can never forget the
wrong which they suffered at the hands OF Eng
lishmen in their depredations upon our COM
merce, nor will they lose sight OF the fact thst
the English Government actually connived At
and helped in these dcpredations, The animus
of the British Government, and the conduct Of a
large and influential class OF the English people
towards us during the war, is now too apparant
to be hid from the eyes OF the world. New light
is being shed upon this matter daily.
Captain Mayne Recd-a warm friend OF Amer
lea during the war-has recently written a letter
in which he refers to some views expressed by
Newman Hall. This writer says
al, too, remember : all that occurred in Eng
land during the civil war In the United States,
and regret having to record my testimony OF
SS fSe IL Il
government appearing to have been opposed to
the cause OF the NORTH the opposition was uni
bitter 10 an extreme degree. II there was any
seeming on the part Of the English government,
If It's and ,hs% Psstsnss s Of Of
the Alabama. Even this was too transparent to
deserve the title OF appearing"
Captain Reed further says, that England's op-
position to our Union, sprung from no love or
sympathy for the South, or the rebellion itself,
neither did 1t arise from any change Of sentiment
in regard to the negro. He adds that:
"England's professed sympathy for the South
was worse than even selhshness; II was the most
wanton Of wickedness. 1t boasted for Its base an
side. All pretencei Its motive was neither man
hood nor humanity. Had the South been stronger
backed you with % sumter. s sn and sS.ass & NRi Ii
sole purpose WAS to manipulate you both like
mai main Of cocks, encouraging mere mutual strif'
till both lay bleeding In the dust Then woult
both have been at England's feet, and Europe's
too, to be reeonsirseted according to the ideas o
European despotism."
This position is well taken, and is amply sup
ported and made good by innumerable facts, ant
everybody must see the truth OF the statement
On rejecting upon this antagonism Of Great
Britain to US In the darkest days OF the rebel
lion, we confess to holding pretty large symps.
thy with Senator Chandler In the views expressed
In his speech the other day urging this nation &c
recognize the bclligerent rights of Abyssinis
Hisproposition was eouehed in the very language
ofthat English proclamation OF neutrality ISSUED
at the commencement Of our civil war In 1856
with mere change OF names. We do not thinl
itwould be wise to adopt Mr.. Chandler's propo
sition while these Alabama claims are pending
but the time may come when Great Britain ma,
find her own "inventions return to plague tn
INVENTOR