The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-30
The Presidents Message and the Alabama
Clnims.


Clnims.
The most striking and interesting feature Of
the forthcoming message of the President to
the Congress of the United States, as we are
informed, will be that portion Of the docu-
ment relating to the Alabama claims and the
position taken by the British government in
the important International controversy to
which they have given rise. Tie allusion to
these topics by President Johnson, while it
will probably be clothed in language plain
and emphatic enough to prevent any miscon-
strIction Of its import and while it will be
accepted at home and abroad as significant of
the future attitude Of our government will, in
fact, be only the precursor of grand stroke
Of policy with which Secretary Seward con-
templates browning his public career, and
which may yet enable the administration Of
hls chief to make its exit in a blaze Of glory
only equalled in brilliancy by the variegated
fire and dazzling pyrotechnic display in the
midst of which the dull green curtain falls
upon SO many of our modern spectacular
dramas. ST.
Following closely upon the heels OF the
Presidential message will come peremptory
demand upon Great Britain by the American
Secretary Of State for full and immediate
settlement Of the Alabama claims, on the basis
Of the account rendered by the United States,
without any offset or deduction. The volumi-
nous correspondence in which both sides have
already INDUCED has exhausted all arguments
that can be advanced by either government in
support Of its views upon the subjects and it
is by no means improbable that Secretary
Seward feels himself no match for the trained
diplomats Of England upon paper, and believes
that he will find the musket and the bayonet
more effective weapons than the pen with
which to enforce recognition Of his country's
rights. II this demand, already too long
evaded, shall fail to meet with a prompt and
favorable response, Secretary Seward, by q
sudden and mastery movement, may march an
army into Lower Canada, seize upon Quebec
and Montreal, and hold them as material
security for the full indemn iication Of his
government. and its citizens for all losses and
damages sustained by them through the aid ex-
tended by England, or by British subjects, to
the insurrectionary South during the war Of
the rebellion.
In pursuing such course we shall but fol-
low closely the example Of the British govern
ment, which, through long career, has
promptly laid Its grasp upon the territory Of
nations against whom 1t has had occasion TO
unsheathe the sword. Upon the nrst outbreak
! OF hostilites with France the fleets OF England
swept the seas and seized upon every French
| possession within their reach nor were the
| occupied islands restored TO the country to
which they belonged until the policy Of their
captors was fully satisfied. The objection may
be urged that this is no parallel case, since the
United States are not now at war with Great
Britain but the Alabama claims have reached
a point beyond which there lies no medium
course between immediate payment, voluntary
or enforced aud from the unmistakable indi-
cations Of the Presidential message we believe
II will be evident that with England herself
must rest the decision whether peace shall con-
tinue q ths crisis eliminate in war; The mas
sersstroEe probably contemplated by Seward
will be nothing more ihsn . precautionary
measure, like tho great flank movement Of
Bismarck on Napoleon, when, adopting the lat
1
ters favorite doctrine Of the consolidation Of
nationalidcs, the shrewd statesman OF Berlin
made Germany . unit and left the French
Emperor in helpless condition, destitute alike
Of the power 10 prevent and the courage TO
resent
It.must not be supposed that In following
such line Of policy our government or people
have any desire to obtain permanent posses
sion Of the new dominion by forcibls annexa-
ton. We do not want those provinces at tho
present time. The transfer OF British Column
bia to the United States may prove oil that
England will be called upon 70 yield ~ full
satisfaction Of our just demands against her.
II will b. cheap atonemont for acts that
might have cost her bloody and devastating
war but for tho forbsarsncs Of tho aggrieved
party. II win DO . small reconpsnse for shs
iaIaEip W haze ugsgsas dIESc1Z snd indl.