The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1868-02-14
TmR ALAmAMA rLAIA1s-

AhE AHAbAMA CLAIMS
Notwithstanding the political dolinqncn.
cies Of wILLiAa II. sxwARp yet men of all
parties, and Of all nations accord him the
possession Of pte.enhpent abilities. Az
Secretary OF State daring the most critical
and trying period Of our history, he has OK.
hibited diplomatic powers, equal To. Il not
surprising those generally accredited to
JoHN QuiEsY ADAMS. lie has adapted him.
self TO the emergencies of tho tines. when
Oonees ion was requisite, he has conceded
without ssrvility or dishonor. when a
bold and rssoluie policy became neses
sary, he was equal to the emergency, aud
the dignity Of this nation has been asserted.
In all his acts Of diplomacy, lie has more
than held his ownj bis successes have re-.
Aected honor on the nation IN no instance
has his scope Of mind, and comprehensive
judgment been more fully manifest than in
his recent discussion of the Alabama Claims
The position taken by him is admitted to
no imrregnable. Thus fortified, lie has
cast to tho winds the feudal arrogance of
might trinmphing over right, aud by the
logic Of national morality he holds nations
responsible for consequences whether the
offence committed be relative circumstan
tial or postive. That is the gist Of his
controversy with Great Britain.
The thinking masses Of England, and
oven their government admit their culpa-
bility for the acts committed by the Ala
bama and other piratical crusiers fitted out
In British Ports, and express their willing.
ness TO submit the amount Of damages to
arbitration. Mr.. SEwARD, however, pro.
ceeds a step further he elovates the stand
ard of national morality, anil from that
higher standpoint claims that the act Of
Great Britain in declaring the rebels to be
belligerents, shall be considered in the
adjudication of this case, and that the
physical consequences proceeding from
the morale Of that act, or for any similar
act shall bo subject matter for diplomatic
settlement between nations so aggrieved
The introduction Of such q rule, would Of
course touch the sensitive organs of NOR
archial diplomacy in its tenderest parts.
and holds them to q responsibility for which
they are unprepared. This view of the
case is possibly that which scaros our
British cousins, But inevitable fate is
Fastening it on, and the day is now very
near. when full and adequate atonement
must be made by England for tho damage
done by the Anglo-rebel cruisers. la this
matter Mr.. SEWARD will have the unanimous
support of all parties in this country.
Whilst rcgretting the political degen.
oraoy of Mr., SEWARD, and regarding his
conduct to certain individuals as unjrst.G
able, yet taking him in all tho relations Of
national life, as scholar, as an orator, as
a statesman and diplomatist, thers are but
few who are his peers. When the tul mol
Of party strife shall have passed away, and
the public vision be no longer obscured by
prejudice, then WILLIAM Ii. SEWARD, in
his foreign diplomatic relations will
stand declared, as one Of the greatest states.
men of the Nineteenth Century; his Alaska
aud ST. Thomas specul,tous to the con.
trary, notwithstanding.