Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-06-02
Good Testimony.

Senator Sumner has found the strongest back
ing of his Alabama speech in quarter where he
least expected it. The Messrs. Laird, builders
of the Alabama, have published letter which
makes some ugly developments for the British
government, and ut time most opportune for
the interests Of truth and justice. The English
government, it should be borne in mind, has
based is claims to innocence in respect to the
fitting out cf the Alabama on the ground that
the purposes for which it was built ,wcro kept &C.
cret, was also her time of departu re, and that
for the government to have stepped in and order
ed her seizure or detention, would have been
high-handed act resting upon nothing but suspi-
cion Now the Lairds summarily explode this
prctext, and leave the government without the
least excuse. They state deliberately that the
object for which the Alabama was bultand man-
ned and armed was at the time known t. the
government, which, If it had been 80 disposed
had "amplo time and opportunity for Selling
her
That is 10 say, the British government lent its
eonniyance 70 an undertaking, against its own
laws, h prey upon the commerce Of the United
States, with whom it was ut peace The IairCls
Of course, have their theory that this was all
right and proper, bat their personal opinion Of
such matters is Of no consequence ut all. When
they turn States evidence, however, the ease as
sumes new aspect, and disinterested men on
both sides Of the water will have much curiosity
To zee how the British government will attempt
to clear itself from this most damaging charge.
FiRING rnE pArsloTic HEART. Gen. Buffers
memorial address at Gloucester ON Saturday. at
the ceremony Of decorating the soldiers graves,
contains the following scathing rebuke Of Eng
land 49," Let us tell our children-and call the
spirits Of the gallant dead who hover around Us
TO bear witness and impress the lcsson-teaching
the story how, when slavery, her legacy to us as
nation, had caused Treason and Rebellion to
raise their parricidal hands against the nation 5
life, and by its fendish spirit 10 arm brother
against brother, England, jealous Of our prosper
ty in rival Of her commercial greatness, and in
hatred OF our freedom, when she could do 80 with
safety to herself when she hoped we were in a
death-gapple with each other, let loose her pi-
rate steamers to destroy our ships, ms she had
sent out barbarous Indians in Revolutionary
N''h-7 W W." VIZ NNNhiiSN VI Jul ihuAiciN uuu
scalp them and their little ones.
" Hereafter, when the Gloucester boy shall say
to his father, Where are the fishing vessels that
you once had as the dependence Of your old age2
the man shall answer Boy Do you remem-
Der the smoke you saw from the Eastern Point
when child? That was your fathers vessel
burned by pirates sent out from British ports by
British builders, who were cheered for so doing
by the British Parliament The boy will saiy
What shall be demanded for 80 great wrong?'
and the old man shall write the single word
RgrARArioS.'
And so shall remembrance OF the injuries be
kept alive in the hearts Of the people.
But more and more do these sins Of England
become part Of this occasion, because there is
not a child whose basket is heavy with blossoms
to place with pious care upon the green turf of
his iather's grave who does not know that his or
his commde's sire lost his life in war encour-
aged, aided and prolonged by hatred of England
to the institutions Of his country and her endeav-
or to destroy the Republic"