The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-03-30

Public attention in this country has been 90
much absorbed OF late with our domestic ques'
tions, particularly with that growing out oil the
Impeachment trial of President johnson, that
our people have thought but little about the
pending difficulties now existing between the
United State, and Great Britain, arising from
the unsettled state OF the Alabama claims.
On the other side of the Atlantic, however, 1t
isquite different. England Is very much exercised
upon the subject. Her newspaper press, her
people OF all classes, her Parliament, and her
Ministry appear to be exceedingly anxious about
the matter, and evidently desire an early settle
ment Of the-to them-vexed question. They
will find US ready for the adjustment, but only
on fair and reasonable terms. Mr.. Seward sub
mitted our uiimaium some time since to Lord
Stanley, and the Secretary for Foreign Affairs
might have concluded the negotiations months
ago had he been so disposed. II any serious
trouble shall grow out OF these unsettled ques-
tions-as we believe there will not, because the
English people will not allow its Government to
defeat the peaceful proposals OF our own-thcn
the British Cabinet will be alone to blame.
We notice that on the 10th inst. q deputation
from the Peace Society waited upon Lord Stan
ley at the Foreign ONCE. The deputation con-
sisted OF Rev Newman Hall, whom many Of our
readers will recollect to have seen in this city
sometime since, Rev. DR.. Brock, Sir Francis
Crossley, and others. All OF these gentlemen
have been In this country since the war, and may
be presumed to know something OF the opinions
and temper OF our people upon this subject.
These gentlemen made address to the noble
Lord, all Of them concurring in this statement,
that though no doubt $ strong feeling existed as
respects the conduct OF this country during the
war, which frequently found very strong ex-
preston, yet that the only practical grievance to
which much Importance was attached was that
OF the Alabama, and that, II that were out of the
way, the great Republican party of the States
would cordially promote kindly feelings toward
this country.
Lord Stanley, in his reply. said;
"He could assure them that the Government,
and he thought he might say any Government
that might come into power in this country, was
as snxIous to maintain peace as they were.
ilatton, and, bad as war would be for any coun-
Try, perhaps for no country q Of greater import-
burdened with a very considerable debt, and our
taxation, though not intolerable, will not bear
pTeductivc power. He was July conscious SOU ol
the magnitude Of the interests involved in the
question OF peace or war with the United states
He must say that he never felt the same amount
of alarm on this subject as had been expressed
by some friends for whose judgment he had great
the remarks OF Mr.. Newman Hall, who had
visited America, on the state OF public feeling
there. He had also been In America for several
months, though that was twenty years ago; and
though, no doubt, they often use strong language,
was, perhaps, their means of letting off the steam
Unpopular discomfort; but when they came to
the actual arrangement of affairs, he thought
they were much more moderate and reasonable.
And he thought they were not likely to be less
10 heavy secaTities to Keep the peace. lie feis,
as the memorial said, that II would be an honor
and happiness to himself and his colleagues to
bring the matter to a satisfactory settlement.
And while he agreed with Sir Francis Crossley.
that 1t might not be necessary to be very rigid
about the terms, still there must be a feeling OF
reciprocity. 1t Is not only reasonable to expect
that II concess ons be made on one side, conces-
sions should also be made on the other II the
demands were too exorbitant, 1t would render II
more difficult to bring about the unAnimity
which was so very desirable. He could not state
the precise terms on which a compromise may be
effected but he had little doubt that II they were
met, as he hoped and believed they would be, by
a corresponding spirit Of Cancellation on the
other side means would be found 10 set The qucsiioH
trGSt. (Hear, hear.yn