Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-03-08
CABLE DISPATCHES.
Debate ON the Alabama Claims Iu the
House of COnsanOus ete


of this vexed question on the plan pro-
posed by the American government. in
calling for papers on the subject, and in
moving consideration of the question. He
disclaimed any feeling of prejudice All
future negotiations would but add to the
complications already explaining the pro-
cess of the civil war in the United States
to Its happy termination. He said the
hiring on Fort Sumpter evoked the famous
proclamation of President Lincoln. In
less than month from the issuing of that
proclamation, Great Britain had recog-
nlzed the Southern insurgents as belliger-
ents. They had no feet, but purchased
their ships in our ports. These ships, net
outstanding the vigorous measures of
our government to stop them, eluded
our vigilance and went to sea. and
were Hospitality received at British Colo
NAL ports. They captured and DESTROYED
during the war more than two hundred
merchant vessels. 10 less than two wears
the United States flag was literally driven
from the seas, while the commerce of Great
Britain was doubled; for this reason he
thought we ought to treat these claims gen
erOusiy they were made in 1862 BY the
American Minister, Mr. Adams. After
warm eulogium on the course Of the United
States, he continued: An arbitration of
the matter had been proposed by the Amer
can government bat was refused by Lord
Russel, who denied the suggestion. Lord
Stanley might have taken another course
but the tories had changed on the house
hold suffrage. The question of recopni-
ton by England was only az tc her right,
II there were a right that might be
safely referred, but Lord Stanley insisted
that the responsibilities of England was
only moral on the Alabama case, and he
thought less about morality on this aues-
ton he regarded the breaking out of
war between England ard the United
states as extremely unlikely, but thought,
on the other hand, that all needless Uni
tatlon should be spurned.
Lord Stanley took the floor he praised
the pacific tone of LeFeyre, and warmly
complimented Mr. Adams for the spirit
he had displayed ; he said we could not
make any discriminate concession, but
learn the right of the case it was a case
where more was needed to understand
points; luuch allowance was to be made
TO the feelings of the United States, and
Great Britain in the same case with
$500, 000,0 600 of debt contracted through a
civil war in which million lives had
been lost, might appreciate the matter better
than mere lookers-on; he thought Eng
land had been entirely neutral.
but no neutrality Wonld have pleased
America; what the United Stated wanted
was neutrality coupled with warm SYM
pathy and support. The Queen was ready
to arbitrate and submit all questions but
the great point of recognizing the belliee-
rent rights of the South, and whv deny
the right of Great Britain to recognize
them at the time she did. The Confeder
ate ship Alabama did not sail from Eng
land until 1862, and the battle of RuII
Run was fought IN 1861. Admitting that
it was wrong for Great Britain to recognize
the South, would the United States govern
ment say that its case against the Alabama
had been altered had Great Britain made
a declaration of neutrality ak rather than
eleven months before she acted. The
Speaker referred TO the speech of Daniel
Webster, IN the United States Senate on
the subject of recognizing hungary, in
support of his argument. How could Eng
land refuse to recognize a war, which Mr.
Seward himself had announced to be a civil
war nine, twelve and sixteen days before
the proclamation. Who could complain
if England had recognized a civil war
which had been admitted weeks before
In conclusion, he Thought a friendly set
Element of the difficulty would probably
be made. He deprecated debate. The
friendly reception of Mr.. Thornton at
Washington is pledge that the Ministers
were willing to leave the question 10 the
people of the entire world.
Mr.. Foster, member for Bradford.
thought Mr.. Stewards views of the ques-
ton of recognition of the Alabama claims
deserved a more careful consideration. as
being, perhaps, right and sensible. He
complained of the abrupt disposition which
had been made of the question, in view of
the universal wish of the United Kingdom
for a speedy settlement. He thought if
some influential statesman had been sent
to the United States, the point might have
been adjusted.
John Smart Mills was the next speaker.
He regarded the present condition of the
question as the result of mistake. The
question was whether England was bound
to prevent such expeditions az that of the
Alabama He denied that the United
States claimed or could claim that that re-
cognition was a violation of law; but was
an unfriendly, rash, and unprecedented
act. The American government only
pressed the point for showing that, but
for the unfriendly act of England, the
Alabama depredations would not have oc-
Cured.
Mr.. Mills thought an arbiter between
the two countries was needless, and that
reparation was fairly due to the United
States. He concluded by advising the ap..
pointment Of a mixed commission, for the
propea adjustment of the question
Mr.. Gladston, member for South Lacon-
shire, thanked Mr. Lefevre for his able
speech, and Lord Stanley for his tempe |
rate reply; but that he (Gladstou) could |
not understand why the negotiation |
was ended, nor could he agree |
with Mr.. Mills that Lord Stanley |
had asserted that reparation vas due, nor |
that an arbiter wonld surely decide against
England. For himself he doubted if |
reparation for the Alabama depredations
was due the United States. It was unques-
tionably right that the point be referred to
a commission, but if thegovernment feared
such a reference, it should settle the mat
ter at once, or leave the decision with an
umpire.
Mr.. Gladstone inferred from the closing
sentence of Lord Stanley that communica-
lions between the two governments were
not closed, and that friendship between the
United States and England would be pre-
served. He concluded by saying if his in
terrence was correct, the whole country
mould sustain Lord Stanley in a jusi and
honorable question.
The debate ended with M Giadstone's
remarks.
Nearly all the leading papers have
editorials this morning on the subject of
he remarkable debate in the House of
Commons last evening, on the Alabama
question.
The Times says the debate must convince
he United States government that Eng
and wishes to settle the 4aw in this
ase in American sense, and the fail
ire of Great Britain to refer claims
0 arbitration, is due TO no desire to shun
Ter Just obligations Mr. Seward has only
0 meet Lord Stanley in like spirit 10
nd the Misunderstanding The tone Of
rticias ia other Journals l. generally the