The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-03-13

What we have to try to do is to try .
and find out what are the strict rights +
of the case, 10 state the case so ascer- /
tanned, and to temperately and fully
endeavOr to do justice to ourselves, /
and to appeal to a corresponding spir
it In those with whom we have to /.
treat. We can discuss this matter
more calmly In 1868 than 1864. /
[Cheers. The passions Of the mo-
ment pass away, but facts and argu
ments remain, and, happily, as
the case now stands, the controversy
still pending, is reduced within the
narrowest possible limits. On the
doubtful questions of fact as to
which, it would not be likely that
/ the two Governments should agree.
/ We are of one mind as far as that, we
/ know we cannot agree, and are ready
| to refer it to three, and who are per
sonally impartial to the parties. The
principal of arbitration has been ac-
| cepted, as far as we are concerned,
| which is an important step, and the
truth is,we have concededin everything
asked for, since this dispute began.
! [ Hear Hearl] The sole point unset
| tied between US Is this: You are
willing, the United States say, to
refer to arbitration the ques-
ton of the Alabama and other
kindred vessels. Are you willing to
include as a point, in the reference
question, whether you were right or
wrong in recognizing the cOnfedera-
tion when you did? The answer we
have given IN substance. As at pres
ent advised we cannot see what bear
ing the two things can have on each
.uer as bearing on the event Of 1852.
7 You might as well include the ques-
ton whether we were right or wrong
In the war of 1872 But the grounds
| rest on are these:
First-That the United States pro-
pose to US a matter for consideration
which is irrelevant to the issue.
Secondly-That the irrelevant part
of the question was one to be de-
cided by the consideration of State
policy, and not of legal obligation,
and therefore is incapable OF receiv-
ing legal solution.
Thirdly-That the United States
Government. In their parallel cases,
had absolutely refused to admit any
responsibility for adopting a similar
course and that [ believe no one would
undertake to arbitrate a case so vogue
: and indefinite. | will not now argue
the case on its merits, so far as recOg-
milton is concerned, but it may be
necessary to remind the House that
in recognizing the COniederates when
we did, we were simply declaring
on May 18Th, a state Of things
to be civil war, which, in Off
= cial documents since published,
Mr.. Seward, on the part of the Unit
ed States GovernmenJ, himself de-
clared to be such. I should be
q sorry to say anything that would even
! look like want of respect to that dis
tinguished diplomatist, by whom this
= correspondence has been conducted
: throughout, aud than whom no man
in the United States has probably had
greater experience; but if the ques.
ton was one which we could discuss
{ apart from politics, and if we were no
o thousands of miles apart, and could
}, meet face to face, I should ven
u ture to ask him whether he could
= with gravity, call upon me solemnly
to refer to the arbitration of bod,
Of some third party, this question
" neither we, the British Govern
ment, had the right of, on the 18th o
May, to declare that to be civil war
hulCus III NaIlUuS uOCuulCuJo4 Co p6Cl
ally one dated Sth of May, he (Mr
Seward) himself had christened by
that name. CCheers. Let 1t bt
noted also that the highest court OF
the United States, in passage whIci
has often been quoted. declared tht
state of things which then existed t.
be a state of war; and another argu
ment familiar to all who have pursue,
the subject, is that if there was n
war there was Of course no blockade
and we might claim damsges fer ever
blockade runner captured. Hear
y. hear!l
Y Claims, such as these, would amouu
"a UP to almost an inconceivable tota
aud Ireally cannot think that states
n man of the United States would b
L willing to let in these enormou
t claims, for the sake OF insisting upo
It a point which, practically, and in II
be immediate application. Is not impOr
to taur, though | admit that. indirectly
to it may have considerable inhuenc,
g l am glad to believe, nor can | thin
az that there need be a0y doubt. that. d
by there has been & great change Of fee
al ing here WIchIn the last two years. :
q on the other side of the water 9 cor
" responding change IS taking plac,
~ Cheers now that the question
tn better understood # the neg.
1t. tiations have been for tin
se. suspended-I will not say br,
an ken off. but suspende3-the rul
nd ture or suspension does n
ell come from our side According
re- the ordinary usage, it IS now for q
n Al