Evening star., 1869-04-14
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS TREATY.
Debate in the Senate-Rriectieu n IN
Trentv.

Treaty.
Inc proceedings IN the executive session of
the Senate on the Alabama claims ,rsztv xss- =
terday Were very interesting. Mr.. sumner
from the Committee on Foreign Relations
MADE tne formal adverse report on the treaty
and in two hours speech supported III. re-
port, which was listened 10 with the prsa,as,
attention by the Senate. In advance a, ~
authorized publication a few points will ne n
interest. The first portion OF his arrumarr =
said TO have been directed 10 esrablishiu, Fug
lands responsibility for all the dapred.fions
committed by the Alabama aud her copsorfS
and for the damages directly and lnd,-
rectty resulting therefrom. lie recI,ed m.
facts that these rebel cruisers were buIIt m
British ports, equipped with British arma-
ments, manned with British seamen. got TO "a
under British colors, sheltered ana provided
with stores in the ports OF the British islands
and colonies, and, though well known 70 have
first escaped 10 sea in violation of EngIand's
neutrality laws, were permitted by Briu n
vessels of war 10 pursue their career o. de-
struction without moles;aiIon.
One Of the chief objections to the treaty Was
mat ~ only crowded for individual claims
and made no provision for the damages sus-
talned hy Ihe nation. Our commerce nad been
driven from the seas. Our Merchants Were
com mpelled 10 let their ships roi an port or satI
them under foreign nag. In this come ciion
MI sumner preseL ted a statistical statement
speaking with the elCquence as well as IA.
'ruthfulness OF figures. showing the damage
sustained by our commercial aud shipping
Interests, by comparing their coudit,oa bstor-
the war with that in which they Were found
upon its close.
Ee cout-nded tina, England should he called
upon 20 admi. that she was lu the wrong AN
recosniZing the contederares as beligerents
ENen nad iney been entitled TO recoc nItiop a.
beligerents on land, they could clai,n no suco
night upon the sea, for hey Were utterly with
out navy or commercial marine Yer /,
was on the sea thai I'm glands recognition VA
made practically serviceabIe TO the rebellion.
Mr.. Johnson's treaty exacted no ADMISSION of
This wrong.
Another objection to il was thar II plac.d the
claims or British subjects against the United
states upon he same fooung as American
claims against England: whereas il thos- claims
were examined II would generally be found
mat the losses upon which they were predt-
Gated had been incurred IN efforts 70 serve the
7, bsllion, or had resulted from its faliura ro
establish Southern Independence.
In tne Traiy before the Senate there Wa
nothing positively settled, and there was no
ADMISSION that we were entitled To any repara-
uon. Everything was left TO a commission
ard ina; commission was to consider claims
against the United States upon equal bass
with our CLAIMS against Greaf Britain. Unless
the commission (or. in case of an equal division
among ITS members upon any question, the
umpire whom they might cnooseD should
happen 10 decide in our IA yor, We should there
fore ob'an no reparatiOn whatever The trrai,
gave ms no absolute assurance Of anything.
In NE course OF his argument Mr.. Sumner
alluded with much force 10 the recreancy OF th,.
British Government TO Its tIme-honored pro-
LESSONS Of hostility 10 slavery, a. exhibited in
l's support OF people who had declared their
retelllous government 10 be founded upou
slavery as is chief cornerstone
Senator Chandler moved 20 open the doors
and debate the treaty AT length, as did also
senator Morton and others. but this sas r.-
lecied by a large ma Jority.
mr.. Chandler then made q fierce attack on
England and her course towards us, and .x-
pressed his belief that there was not room
enough on this continent for any nation which
hao so grossly insulted the United State. He
had long believed the struggle would come
over Canada, and he now believed It would
come IN his day.
Mr. Scott supported the view. Of Mr.. sum
ner
Mr.. Warner said the arguments and figures
OF Mr. Sumner showed tne lmpossibiIIry OF
ms king out any balance sheet OF dollars wusr.
the consequences OF EngIands wrong acton
were 20 far-reacnipg. He believed ta- tln-
policy was 20 drop the whole subiec- of s-.-
temeni, and content ours-INe- With the sf
vantage We would have over lgIand IN n.
fuiuIe.
Mr.. Fessenden fully endorsed the views Of
MI. sumner IN holding mat treaty on ,hi,
sub ect should rise 70 the full dignity aud AN
portance OF the interna ationaI aG-srtous an
yolved, and that the nation. with a due regard
to ITS own honor, could not consider A. unJr
any lower grounds.
Mr.. Sherman said Mr.. SINNERS speech Wa
honorable 10 the nation, and properly reflected
The national feeling.
Mr.. burman SAID Mr.. Sumn-r des-ry.d The
hanks OF the country, and M-ssrs. CasspTIy
and Stockton alsS approved OF nis views
MI. Garrett Davis wanted the matter 10 go
over for one day, that he might a !scuss the OK
tent 10 which England was justified by our
own recognition OF belligerent rights. but ihts
was not agreed 70, and the treaty was then r.-
Jecied by 81 10 1-Mr MCCresry. of hantucaN
IN the anrmauye. Garrett Davis DAD uoi NOt-..
and the Maryland Senators Were absent
MI. Sumner then Immediately reported the
nomination OF Mr.. Motley as Minis ter TO Eng
land, and he was confirmed unaEimously.