The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-12
The Alabama Claims-Latest English Vows
ON tho Subject.

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more consideration than il has yet received on
this side of the Atlantic. Sir Henry Bulwer,
who is one of the ablest surviving representa-
tives of the school of Lord Palmerston, and
who has still some faith in British pluck, In
dgnant at the speech of Senator Sumner, had
given notice of a motion some time ago bearing
on the general question of the Alabama claims,
his object being to call forth the sentiments of
the House on the subject. Once and again
had Sir Henry yielded to the solicitations of
the government and allowed the discussion to
be postponed. On Thursday night Mr.. Glad
stone again asked postponement. Sir Henry
yielded to Mr.. Gladstone's request, but threw
the whole responsibility of the postponement
of the discussion on the shoulders of the gov
eminent. From Mr. Gladstone's speech, and
| from the remarks of the London press on the
| day following 1t is manifest that the govern
ment and people of England are fully con-
WINGED that this is great international ques-
ton which must not be triaed with. The
failure of the recent negotiations has evidently
panied them. 1t is better, they think, to wait
until public sentiment is little cooler on both
sides of the Atlantic. At all events irritating
speeches are to be avoided. So far 30 good.
The postponement of discussion on the sub
ject, if it pleases the British people, ought not
to displease us.
The London Times speaks with less caution
than Mr.. Gladstone. According to the Times
''the late treaty was virtually American for it
was made, altered and realtered by Seward
and Johnson. 1t was rejected as much
through party antipathies as from any discon-
tent with its provisions. England is ready to
listen to any proposals from America but
to display desire to receive them favorably
would increase. not lessen, the demands.
When Mr.. Motley considers that the feeling
of America is such that treaty consistent
with the honor of England will satisfy Ameri-
cans he may address the government for
renewal of negotiations. Only such a treaty
will have a chance Of acceptance" The
Times discovers the prevalence of more
moderate views among Americans, and
attributes the change to the discovery which
we have made that England will not concede
beyond a certain point. According to the
Star, now more or less an official journal,
american resentment against England is
likely to become weaker, and her desire to
reduce the burden of public debt stronger.
The best thing for both countries is to hold
their peace for awhile" The Times thus
takes it for granted that the initiation of fur
| Their proceedings must be on our part. Both
the Times and the Star are of opinion that
delay will be to the advantage of England It
seems to be the opinion Of all parties ON the
other side that the less that is said for the
present On the subject the better
The British government and people can do
just as they please in the matter It is their
affair rather than ours. Hthey can wait SO can
we. If delay will be any gain to them it will
be an infinitely greater gain to us. Year by
year We grow stronger. Ten years hence it
will not be safe for Great Britain to speak of
terms. Ten years hence, what with the multi
| plication of our railroads and telegraphs, with
the development Of our enormous resources,
with our increasing immigration from Europe
and from Asia, we shall be without rival
| among the nations-a match not for Great
Britain only, but for the world in arms. We
have no objection to wait; for delay will make
our victory secure As to our forgetting or
becoming Indifferent to or in any way abating
our claims, nothing can be imagined more abb
| surd. To entertain such thought argues an
amount of blindness on the part Of the British
government and people which it is really diff
cult to account for. 1t is no longer denied by
| the British government that wrong was done
us. 1t is universally felt that the policy pur-
sued towards us during the war, while it Grip
pied MS and had the effect of prolonging the
struggle, was grievous failure. Wrong unre-
paired is not soon or easily forgotten by q
great and high-spirited people. The immense
popularity of Senator Summers speech showed
how deep and widespread was the feeling of
the American people on this great question.
That feeling is as strong to-day as it was
four years ago. 1t will. be as strong ten years
hence, if these claims are unsettled, as it is
to-day. The attitude taken by both the great
political parties on this question ought to con-
vince Great Britain that delay is danger
Gus. We are not forgetting the wrong
that was done MS. We will not forget it.
Nothing would afford 80 much gratiaca-
ton to our Irish population as war
with Great Britain. This, in fact Is the
climax of their ambition. The political party
which in the next election will give creates,
prominence to our differences with Great
Britain and will press the settlement Of the
Alabama claims under threat of war may
count with safety on the Irish vote; and Il
will not be wonderful II the Irish voter finds
himself strong enough to force upon the coun-
try an aggressive policy. 1t is safe at least to
say that il the democratic party were now il
. power Great Britain would be left no choc,
l hut r,au dnun han