Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-12-22
The Alabama Question.


Reverdy johnson, our minister to Eng
land. and those English aristocrats
who during the rebellion were open
aid notorious sympathisers with the
south, argues conclusively that all at
tempts at a settlement of the Alaba-
ma claims while Mr.. Johnson repre-
sents US at the court of ST. James, will
prove unavailing, unless the settle
ment is had upon terms dictated by
the British. We have sometimes felt
that of this there was really great dan
ger, and have hoped that the whole
subject would be postponed until
Grant shall have come into power and
we are represented there by man
who will choose other companions and
associates than Roebuck, bitter ha-
ter of the United States and an ardent
friend of the lost cause" Laird, him.
self the builder of the Alabama, and
Russell, who will be remembered as
the lying war correspondent Of the
London Times, who always in his let
tiers covered the rebel arms with vic
tory and the union arms with defeat,
and who according to a late London
dispatch has presented Mr.. johnson
with a volume Of those falsehoods, for
which Mr.. Johnson of course made his
lowest bow, and expressed his pro-
foundest obligation. We naturally
distrust a man who has such men for
his boon companions. Especially do
we distrust him upon this question of
the Alabama claims, for the reason
that he cannot faithfully and vigorous
ly press those claims without displea-
sing his friends, Roebuck, Laird and
Russell.
Mr.. Johnsons position upon this
question has not been that of the in
dependent, earnest diplomat, stimula-
ted by love Of country and jealous of
her honor, but OF the veriest toady to
British snobbery and British impu-
dence. The fault however is not
wholly that of ReUerdy Johnson. An
drelo johnson, or at least his admins
tration, is responsible for the halting
hesitancy aud spiritless management
of the whole matter. Both Johnson
at home and johnson abroad have too
good an opinion of rebels in Europe
and America to secure from old Eng
land in the first instance, a becom,
ing apology, and then restitution fol
the untold damage done to our com
merce by that Anglo-rebel corsair, the
Alabama, fitted out by English CAPT
tai and in English waters, and man
ned by English seamen; and notwith
standing the protest OF our ministe
then resident in London, allowed b,
the English authorities to weigh an
Choir and start on a piratical cruis
against our merchantmen. We sa
they are not the men, these Johnsonl
to do this business; they are to
much in sympathy with the veteran
of the exploded confederacy. Th
present administration is not in earl
est, else why has it not made TO
NAL public demand for restitution
1t has minced the matter from til
first, and our word for it if the que
ton is settled by the Johnsons, it wi
be an unsatisfactory botch, and wi
very likely bring disgrace upon OIL
country.
Caleb Gushing has lately sailed fl
Europe, to aid in this settlement, it
limited. We hope not. The pres
dent has learned US, has learned tt
whole country, not to trust him, an
we can trust none of his agents. "
like better the method of that sturC
old patriot, Ben Wade-we cam
write his name without sigh that
is not where he ought to be, and A
drew Johnson where he ought to be-
who declared that he would make
formal public demand Of England fl
these millions that she robbed US {
on the high seas, and tell her plain
that she must accede to our terms
we shall attempt collection Of the
in a manner far from agreeable to ht
Do this or concede that we have
just claims and say nothing mo
about it. The clandestine, coaxir
pettifogging course of the present g
ministration is unbecoming great a
powerful people, and we hope that
further negotiation will be had |
Grant can bring to it the vigor a
earnestness which he first discover
at Fort Donelson, and which has ma
ed his entire public career thus
and will we believe characterize
coming administration, for which
earnest, honest men are faithfully W;
ing.
DEpT OF OPJEA 10 - Tho foil,