The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-06
Banquet ut Brighton to the American Minis
ter-Mr. JOhnson's Speech.

Let me repeat what l have already distinctly
stated, that whatever fears may have arisen in the
nave entertained that the causes which have dis
turbed our amcable relations might eventually re-
suit in our gliding into war, and whatever hopes
be the result, those apprehenslons may be dis
missed and the hopes considered as blasted. The
two governments and Lord stanley and myself,
acting the humane and Christian doctrine
announced at the Convention OF Paris IN 1856. have
settled ALL First by agreeing that the laws OF cit
zeuship between the two countries shall In the itl-
ture be the same and that the naturalized citizen
in either shall In oil future time enjoy in all respects
cause OF disturbance, cause which has more than
once threatened inipinent war, Is closed, and
s q 1s wneS no
two individuals could have brought into
court until they had submitted It to the arbitra-
ton OF friend unless they were willing to incur the
risk OF censure from the judge That boundary IL 70
be ascertained by an umpire II Il can be ascertalned,
and by the terms OF treaty so far back lsl6 and
n he cannot do that he ia to draw line which he
thinks viii approximate nearest TO the point. And
TO show that your government - not unwilling To
trust 10 one who Is not at the head OF monarchy,
they have agreed and agreed cheeriullY, TO submit
the question TO the President OF the Swiss Confedera
ton. The other question was that OF the Alabama,
and must confess that II almost made me wish that
we had never had a State called by that name.
Now, you viii understand, gensleman-for am
speaking 20 educated men, and III possible TO Sill
more educated women-that there were two ques-
tons involved in tins matter. The first the
right OF your government ~ recognize at the early
period they did the southern confederation rs bel
lgerenta The second was whether. having so re-
cognzed the southern COME as beligcrents
they exercised due and proper vigilance ~ Teutrals
to guard against your citizens others violating the
obligations OF your neutrality. II either or these
POINTS should be decided IN favor or the American
States know-eyerything have seen and heard
since | came TO England assures lue-that
y accept that decision than The peopIe
Of England. II II should be decided IN
favor OF your government know the honor OF my
own people so wei as 10 feel convinced that they
will be content But say-and IN friendship have
rendered that advice to Lord STANLEY Is were
British citizen. aud had the power exclusively In
my own hands, would pay every dollar ol what are
known as the Alabama claims ~ once. because the
principle which VIII be established Il there i no
such payment will be principle which ~ the future
may operate most injurious4y and most ialaiy 10
the commerce Of England. In war between your
country and any other your vessels, which cover
every sea, and that vast and enormous wealth
which IS carried under your flag would be exposed
TO the ravages Of any freebooter who might receive
commission from any neutral nation ana then
your loss, your loss In money! won't say IN cna-
racter, Tor your character you can never lose-yOur
losa in money viii quadrupc, aye. arithmetic VIII be
unable To calculate how much y win exceed the
whole amount II you paid every dollar Of the Ala
bama claims. Upon these topics, gentlemen, Tor.
bear longer TO speak. We have had war aud unless
you have been within the region where the war
waged YOU can hardly even In Imagination depict
It's hOrrors-the number or houses, just before tne
abode OF innocence, OF refinement, on beauty, Of
religion, given 10 the flames and the inmaes turned
out into the naked world without dollar TO buy
themselves even crust OF bread, their negroes,
once their saves, declared free and their epprehen
sions awakened to the possible Immediate conse
Quences of that sudden freedom-a servle insurIec.
ton. Those apprehensious were unfounded Tor
fortunately they did not realize the nature u the
negro. Instead Of the violence anticipated at his
hands the negro 80 long rs the war lasted settled
at home aud protected, az well as he was able and
iaborcd for, as well as he could, the master the
mistress and the children fer whom he or aho
had from time 70 time acted as nurse or playmate.
But the war Is over, and what have We accom-.
pllshcdf We have accomplished that which tnde.
pendent OF the blood that has been spit almost
c9mpepsaics VI y u does not more than coEpen-