The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-04

The Alabana CIaims-UOu. Reyerdy
Johnson Defines the Basis Of Settle
snent.
On November 20 Hon. Reverdy Johnson was
voted An address by the Corporation OF the TO Nm
OF Brighton. He replied to it ms follows:-
Mr.. May or, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the
Town of BrlghtoD:-AcCept my best thanks for
the honor done me by your address. Peace
between your country and my own Is SO essen
tia to the interests aud prosperity OF both, that
even the posi- BILE hazard of its disturbance could
not is to awake the soIicitude of all rejecting,
humane, and Christian men. Tue causes, one
which dates prior TO 1872, the other to 1916, aud
the third to the years OF our late. civil sar,
owing to circumstances beyond the control OF
MIR. Adams, and which, wise and discreet as he
was, ii was not within his power 10 remove.
My commission commenced under more favor
BILE 81 ate of things. Our domestic troubles were
at an end, and the integrity OF our Government
was placed upon firm and enduring basis
II was natural, therefore, that your Govern
ment should be anxious, as was my own, to ar
range at the earliest moment every existing
difficulty. Lord Stanley and myself entered
upon our negotiations with settled purpose to
adjust everything upon terms consistent With
the rights and honor OF both nations. That
being our determination, it is not al all surprise
ing that we accomplished ii to the fullest extent.
The hIst cause of trouble, and one of the mOet
perious and of the longest duration, was the
zig hts OF our naturaized citizens. CoevAl almost
with the origin of your courts it was held that
the allegiance OF nativity was perpetual. This
was directly opposite to the view OF the citizens
OI LDe Uplteu states, ana DeIeVe TO the general
sentiments Of almost all Continental Europe.
The Constitution of the United States in this
particular accOrds with that sentiment. 1t vests
In Congress the power to pass laws of naturali-
cation, and that power was exercised at the
earliest period. The condition among others,
upon which native OF any other country could
become citizen OF the United States was, that
he should renounce absolutely his original allie
glance, But, as have said, his right to do go
was uniformly denied by your judiciary, thus
compelling such citizen to violate his obi ga.
tions to the United States, and TO deprive him Of
bis rights as a citizen of that country.
Your Government acted upon this doctrine
previous to 1912 by imprsssing out of our ships
our naturalized citizens. This constituted one
OF The causes OF the war of that year, and, al
thOuR h the doctrine WAS not surrendered by the
Treaty OF Client, it was never afterward prac-
ucally acted upon.
1t is now settled by the protocol agreed to by
Lord Stanley and myself, and 30 settled that 1t
eannot hereafter give trouble to either Govern
ment, and am glad to add that il has receive |
the approval oi the Executives of EACH The
natural Eed is placed upon the same footing In
all respects as the native citizen.
The second cause WAS as to the true running
OF one OF the lines which divides your possess
sions and ours, as described in the treaty be.
tween us of 1876. This at one time rendered a
war almost imminent All danger from that
source is removed by the second protocol,
agreed to by his LordshIp and myself, and
which has also the approval OF the two Execu-
tves.
The third and the only other cause OF trouble
originated during our late domestic war. From
this have arisen most Of the claims made by
your citizens upon my Government, and my
fellow.citiZens upon yours; the latter known by
the general name of the Alabama claims.
The convention which We have recently
agreed 10 land which, have no doubt, will be
approved by both Governments) provides that
these are to be settled by board of four com
m mssloners, two TO be appointed by each Govern
menL
In the event OF their not deciding by majo-
rity for or against any claim other than an
Alabama one, the decision is to be made by an
umpire chosen by themselves. In regard to the
Alabama claims the arrangement is somewhat
different.
Before there are to be considered by the Com.
missiOneIs, the two Governments are to
agree upon the head of some foreign Govern
mept as au arbitrator, by whom The decision as
to tEe liability OF your Government for such
claims is 70 be made on the contingency that the
Commissioners fail 10 come to a unanimous de-
cislon for or against 1t.
This arbitrator, however, is to adludge only
the question of liability.
II he rule that question against your Govern
ment the amount due to each claimant is TO be
aseertained by q majority of the Commis-
sioners. II he rule in favor of your Govern
ment, the claim is TO be perpetually barred.
You viii thus see, gentlemen, that all the