The New York herald., 1869-05-02

land great sensation in the British capital ant
throughout the three Kingdoms, we had pro-
vided for the special dispatches on the subject
through the Atlantic cable which we laid befor,
our readers yesterday morning. We were moi
mistaken in our conjectures. In the express
sive language of the menagerie, Senator Sum
ner has "stirred up the British lion with long
pole, and his antics betray his astonishment
and alarm. The Hon. Reverdy Johnson had
mesmerized him into delicious slumber; but
Sumner has rudely broken the spell, and the
United States Senate has quite as roughly dis
sipated all those soft delusions Of the Johnson
Stanley treaty. English diplomatic roast beef
and plum pudding have signally failed, and her
Majesty's Lords, Commons, nobility and politi-
cal press have had their eyes fully opened to
the important fact that they were egregiously
humbugged on these Southern confederacy
responsibilities of England by half-and- half
American representative from the south side
of Mason and Dixon's line.
The first responses of the British metropoli-
tan press to Senator Sumner, liberal and tory,
bring us the important admission that neither
Reverdy Johnson's diplomacy nor Andrew
Johnson's Premier represented on these Ala
bama claims the Senate or the people of the
United States and that Mr.. Sumner not only
represents this people and their Senate, but
the new administration, on this great question
These admissions give new shape to the
whole controversy in England, and upon the
ultimatum suggested the leading journals of
London are bewildered with the gravity of the
subject. 1t is no longer a matter of amuse-
ment and derision, nor of the soothing fancies
of brotherly love inspired by our amiable Am
bassador from Maryland. All this fimsy dra-
perry is torn away, and that which was supposed
to be simply statue Of Peace, with only the
olive branch and wreath of roses, is revealed
as the embodiment of the great republic,
with the offer of the olive or the thunderbolt-
peace or war.
What is to follow? John Bright's London
organ (the S.ar) says that "if Mr.. Motley's
instructions are couched in similar spirit
referring to Summers speech-his mission will
be fruitless, as the extravaganza of the propo-
sitions will strike the public at once" The
Times estimates the damages of Mr.. Summers
bill at e422, 900, 900, or say two thousand mil
lions of dollars in gold so far, and
that it may be indefinitely enlarged,
and urges that in settlement of
these claims we ought not to for
get that during our civil war the fate of
the Union depended upon the voice of Eng
land, and that, had she yielded to the wish of
Napoleon, there would have been an end to
The United States. This is begging the ques-
lion. Napoleon in Mexico undertook bold
movement to be in at the death but we have
settled with him. Our unsettled account is
with England and her offensive, and, to us,
her costly neutrality and belligerent rights.
The high tory organ, the London Standard,
takes the bold ground that on these Alabama
claims "the policy of England is no longer an
open question:" that our pretensions cannot
be seriously considered without exciting indig-
nation and that "under the circumstances it
is probable that the Americans will elect to
keep the Alabama claims in reserve and await
than through a direct war. We think it posi-
BILE that in the devious ways and delays of
this difficulty may be debated to the
end of General Grants present term of Office
but we feel perfectly free to say that unless
within the interval to the next Presidential
election, November, 1872, he shall have
effected settlement with England satisfactory
to the American Senate and people, the Presi-
Dental succession will turn upon this very
question, and so emphatically and decisively
as to admit of no further evasions, abatements
or delays.
According TO our special cable dispatches
there was an informal meeting Of her Majesty's
Cabinet on Friday last on the startling de-
mands of Mr.. Summers speech, at which meet
ing Mr.. Gladstone professed to have good
assurances that the rejection of the Johnson
treaty by the Senate was purely political
Admitting this, is it not a move
ment of portentous meaning in being sus-
tanned by the unanimous vote of the Senate,
save one Gan eccentric and unreconstructed
Southerner from Kentucky? Could the admin
istration. If so inclined, dare to disregard this
significant vote of the Senate in resuming these
Alabama claims negotiations? The. British
Premier also begs the question. II brings him
face to face with new danger; for IL appears
that "outside the tone Of the English people is
and more 80 since the appear
ance Of Summers speech. Thus placed be-
tween two fires, Gladstone must temporize and
a temporizing policy he will doubtless pursue
as long as the indulgence Of General Grant
will permit.
The administration holds and Mr.. Motley
will represent the views of Senator Sumner,
and with the general diffusion of his great
speech and the vote of the Senate on the John
treaty the people of this country
have become hopeful of an early and decisive
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