The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-13
The Alabama Clnims-England in Our Late

Rebellion.
Tho subject Of the alabama claims" is
now on both sides of tn, water under
going vigorous discussion. The letter OF
Lord Hobart to the London Times in refer
ence to those claims and advising their settle
ment is as wise and judicious as anything
which has appeared Of late. Our own opinion
has always been that England had better
accept any form Of arbitration, or, in fact pay
any thing which our government might demand,
in order to bring the matter to speedy settle
ment. Still, there are other views upon this
question, and as the matter has been 50 long
DELAY we are half inclined to adopt them.
v en- slavery was one of the compromises Of
our constitution, and when many loyal people
support to that institution because the constk
tulion did sanction it, England's emissaries
were hero to SOW strife and the seeds Of dis
union upon that question. Meeting after meet
ing was held in Exeter Hall, at which the
nobility and fashion Of England gave their
names and their influence, having the same
object in view. Letters bearing upon this
question and rejecting upon some of the best
minds Of our country were eagerly read and
their contents heartily received by tho press
of that country; and whenever q traveller
from our own land who had made himself
obnoxious for his abolition views visited Eng
land his course here would be pretty sure to
give him passport to the best society there.
We have only had one view of what was
intended by all this. Over and over again we
have exposed the duplicity OF that country in
her general dealings with the world England
saw the enormous growth on this side OF tho
Atlantic, and knew very well that the question
of slavery or abolition might be famed into
fame which would disrupt US and thus
tend to divide our power When, therefore,
The rebellion broke out all honest, consistent
people here supposed, as matter OF course,
that the South would have no aid from England,
but that she would, on the contrary, carry out
her professions and give death blow at once
to slavery. We need not say how much such
people were doomed 10 be disappointed when
they saw her belle all her former principles,
and when. contrary to all the uses Of civilized
governments, she hastily recognized the insur-
gent government of the South as q belligerent,
giving il by such recognition flag upon the
ocean, aud giving il, moreover, an indirect
moral aid and support which was Infinitely
more eifecual than direct action.
The reason for this course can be stated In
single word. Had England lent the weight OF
her power and her influence to sustaining the
government OF the United States the rebellion
would have been shortlived and OF little
account; on the contrary, siding with the
South gave strength to the hope which has
been the groundwork of her ploltings for
many long years. She saw what she supposed
would bring about permanent disruption OF
this government and when Lord John Russell
announced to the world that the great American
Union was in reality broken up her ars!ocracy
and her press could hardly contain themselves
for joy. We have had TO 60 over these matters
somewhat. in detail to show what has been the
real feeling of England towards US. She can
| i'll disguise even now, with all her professions
| Of good will, her great disappointment at the
| failure OF the rebellion. The whole ground
work is now changed, and il is a serious ques-
ton with the thinking people Of this country
whether we ought not TO 80 interest ourselves
as TO aid the great humanity Of the world by
lending our influence so TO change the govern
menl OF that country as TO make it pure
republic upon the basis OF our own, 10 do
away with the whole doctrine and law OF
primogcniture and entail, with its Established
Church, and thus, breaking down the monopoly
Of wealth and title, give her masses, who are now
suffering slavery infinitely lower than that ever
existing in our. Southern States, an opportunity
for political freedom and the enjoyment: OF an
existence which is at present o mere burden.
| We have taken occasion moro than once 10
suggest that Fenianism was not mere remedy
for Irish wrong, but rather the ideal OF what
was wanted and demanded by the great work
| ing classes Of Great Britain, who are held in
servitudc by their lordly masters. and who thus
give voice to their wishes.
| These reasons have their influence upon some
Of the bes! minds OF our country in wishing .
delay In this Alabama business They think,
very truly, that oil things are working for good,
commend the poisoned chalice Of precedenta
furnished BY England herself TO her own lips
and that our ruined commerce will once more
revive and take tho place now wrong'ully
usurped by England through piracies COM
mitted on ours by her own subjects and In
addition to oil this the raising up on the o!her
side Of the water republic, speaking the same
language, and the masses Of which will see In
their own deivcrance from oppression another
Of the understanding Of Prov Idencs, brought
about by the rash action of their own govern.
ment in giving aid to the attempted establish
meni ofa pure slaveocracy here q. the expense
and by the destruction Of tho government Of
these United States. But even In this broad
view of tho subject there Is no urgsn. necessity
for pushing these Alabama claims These
| clnina IA A anrt of MORTGAGE IN tha Now 10.