The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-11
The Alabama Claims In PAriiameas.
We find the following under London date of

We find the following under London date OF
the 18th:
In the House of Commons, last evening, after
the transaction OF other business, Mr.. shaw
Lefever the member for Reading. called up the
question of the Alabama claims, and made
long and eloquent speech, arguing the settlement
Of the vexed question on the plan proposed by
the American government In calling for the pa
pers on the subject and ia moving q confederation
Of the question, he dsclsimed any feeling or pre-
JUDGE. All future negotiations would but add to
the complications already existing. He reviewed
the progress Of the civil war in the United States
10 It's happy termination. He said the firing on
Fort Sumter evoked the famous proclamation Of
President Lincoln. In less than month from is
suing that proclamation, Great Britain had recog-
nized the Southern insurgents as belligerents.
They had no feet but purchased their ships 10 our
ports. These ships, notwithstanding the vigorous
measures of our government TO stop them, eluded
our vigilance. and went TO sea, and were hos
pitably received at British colonial ports. They
captured and destroyed during the war more than
two hundred merchant vessels. In less than two
years 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 generously. They
were made in 1862, by the American minister, (Mr.
Adams.)
After a warm eulogsm on the course Of the
United States, he contnued An arbitration Of
the matter had been proposed by the American
government, but was denied by Lord Russell, who
denied the suggestion. Lord Stanley must have
taken another course, but the tories had changed
on the question OF the household suffrage. The
Question of recognition by England was only as to
her right II there were right, that might safely
be referred. But Lord Stanley insisted that the re-
rponsibiity Of England was only moral one in
the Alabama case. He thought the less said about
morality on this question the better. He regarded
the breaking out of war between England aud the
United States as extremely unlikely; but thought
on the other hand all needless irritation should be
stunned.
Lord stanley took the floor. He praised the
pacific tone Of Mr.. Lafevre, and warmly comph
mented Mr.. Adams, the American minister, for
the spirit be had displayed. He said we could
not make an indiscriminate concession, bat would
leave the right Of the case where there was more
need to understand the point. Much allowance
was TO be made 20 the feelings of the United
States. Great Britain, in the same case, with
$500, 600 600 Of debt contracted through a civil
war, in which million lives had been lost, might
appreciate the matter better than mere lockers
on only. He thought England had oeen entirely
neutral, bat neutrality would have pleased
America. What the United States wanted was
neutrality coupled with warm sympathy and sup
port. The queen was ready to arbitrate and sub
NIT all questions bot the great point of recognz'
ing the belligerent rights of the South. Nobody
contends that the Confederates could 81
no time have acquired them. II not,
why deny the right of Great Britain
to recognize them at the time she did, The Con-
federate ship Alsbams, did not sail from England
until 1862, and the battle Of Bull Run was fought
Britain TO recognize the South, would the United
States government say that its case against the
Alabama had been altered, had Great Britain
made declaration Of neutrality six rather than
eleven months before she did The speaker re-
ferred to a speech of Daniel Webster in the United
States Senate, on the subject Of recognizing Hun
gary, in support OF his argument How could
England refuse to recognize war which Mr..
Seward himself had announced to be civil war,
nine, twelve and sixteen days before the procla-
nation! Who could complain If England had re-
cognized civil war which the United states had
admitted some weeks before!
In conclusion, he thought friendly adjustment
OF the difficulty still practicable. He deprecated
debate. The friendly reception of Mr.. Thornton
ct Washington was pledge of peace. The min
listers are ready to leave the question 70 the peo-
Mr.. Foster, member for Bradford thought Mr..
Stewards views of the question Of the recognition
of the Alabama claims, deserved better treatment
and more careful consideration, as being perhaps
the view that was right and sensible. He COM
planned of the abrupt disposition of the question
which had been made. when the universal wish
in the United Kingdom was for its speedy settle-
ment. He thought, had any influential statesman
been sent to the United States as minister, the
point might be readily adjusted.
John Stewa1s Mill was the next speaker. He
regarded the present condition of the question as
the result Of q mistake. The real question was,
whether England was bound to prevent such ex-
petitions as that Of the Alabama. He denied that
The United States claimed, could claim, that the
recognition OF the South q violation of law.
But Il was an uniriendly, rash and unprecedented
act. The American government only pressed the
point for the purpose Of showing that, but for the
nnfriendy action of England, the Alabama depre-
dations would not have occurred. Mr.. Mill thought
nm srbiter between the two countries was need
less, and that reparation vas fairly due to the
United States. He concluded by advising the ap-
pointment OF a mixed commission for the proper
adjustment of the question.
Mr.. Gladstone, member for South Lancashire,
thanked Lefevre for his able speech and Lord
Stanley for his temperate reply. He (Mr. Glad.
stone) could not understand why the negotiation
was ended. Nor could he agree with Mr.. Mill to
the position that Lord Stanley had adopted, that
reparation was due, nor that an arbter would
surely decide against England. For himself, he
doubted If reparaton for the Alabama depreds-
tons was due the United States. II was unques-
tonaby right that the point should be referred TO
q commission, but If the government feared such
reference, itshoud settle the matter or leave
the decision with an umpire. Mr.. Gladstone in
feued from the closing sentence of Lord Stanley,
that communications between the two govern.
ments were not closed, and that friendly feelings
between the United States and England would be
preserved. He concluded by saying, If his infer.
ence was correct, the whole country would sus.
tain Lord Stanley in q just and honorable dsposi-
ton Of the case
The debate ended with Mr.. Ghdstons's re.
marks.
A.