Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-27
Democratic Tick ct.
HE ENGLISH PRESS AND Mk'
sUMNER's sPEECH.i

IL
Of excitement over the demands OF the
Radical party and the rejection OF the
Johnson. Clarendon treaty. Foreigners
who have not q clear appreciation of our
n,litics and the men who assume to
reuresent the American people, are La
HE and have fallen into error already by
supposing Mr.. Summers speech the views
of the Administration and an expression
of public opinion in this country. Ii
this vsin-glorious Senator was known IN
England as he ia in America, such
sueeches as he delivered short time
since on the Alabama claims would
not in the least excite comment. Sumner
is professional, spread-esgle, pompous'
high.sounding speech maker, who never
was regarded ss having the first requi'
sites of statesman by men OF Intelii-
gence in this country, but VI only sup
posed to represent MassachtQ setts and her
Puritan people in whatever he did and
said. If we will but examine the speech
Of this New England Senator, upon
which the present excitement has been
created, it will be seen that the demands
therein made are extravsgant and foolish.
The amount of real damages incurred BY
this Government in the destruction OF
Northern commerce is not alone claimed,
but also a part of our national debt,
which Mr. Sumner says was created by
EueIand's recognition Of the Southern
belligerant rights. This is his own Ian
guage:
The rebellion was suppressed at csst
Of more than four thousand million dol
lars, a considerable portion OF which has
been already paid, leaving twenty-five
hundred millions as a national debt To
burden the people. If through British
Intervention the war was doubled in du-
ration, or in any way extended, as can
not be doubted, then is not England justly
responsible for the additional erpendi.
fare to which our country was doomed !
And whatever may be the FINAL settlement
of these great accounts, such must be the
Judgment in any chancery which consults
the simple equity of the case.
This would, If correct, make Great Brit.
ain liable for all the Indebtedness Of our
late war, after two years duration; and,
the South, if she was in q condition to
make the demand, could enter a like
claim for the value of her slave prop
erty which was set free by English in
reference in not letting the war stop at
time when slavery would not have been
abolished. If Mr.. Sumner's equity de-
mauds are allowed, why we had as well
saddle England with larger portion of
our misfortunes, both North and South,
aud require that she pay us in money for
the losses.
To have en- idea of what is felt by the
English people on this subject, we give
an extract from London correspondent,
taken from the Charleston Courier:
The position is thus stated: ~ say to.
day that 80 far as l know, we have not,
in the sense of approval, or even tolers-
ton of Mr.. Summers speech, a single
friend in England. OF course do not
mean that men long conspicuous for
their sympathy with us have on sud-
den become enemies, or that they recant
ANYTHING they ever said on our side. But
they dissent wholly from Mr.. Sumner s
statement of the American claims and
grievances. They find fault with the
tone of the speech, and the extent Of bis
demands. Comment on the speech con-
tissues daily, in the press and everywhere
else. and while there is difference in the
degree Of resentment expressed in differ
ept quarters, the agreement of opinion IL
practically unanimous. England ioilI
fohtrather than yield 10 The claims made
or indicated in this speech. She iOitt f9hI
rather than ereH negotiate on any such
basis. If Mr. Motleys instructions
coper ANYTHING Ike the ground taken bs
mr.. Sumner, he 1ciH be met By a poin
blank refusal 10 consider his proposals
Al this moment, / doubt whether any
proposals whatever would be listened to
IL popular feeling counts for anything IL
The Foreign Office. they would he simply
secuted. All parties will resiss with equa
resolution an attempt to enter upon any
negotiation which does not disavow, IL
fact If not in terms, Mr.. Sumner aulhor
iiy to speak for the American Govern
ment.
sTbe talk about Canada inhsmes th,
rornlar fury. and language in
iemperate ut first has grown daily NOR,
v;olent 1t does so, notwIthstand
inc The known opinion of leading En-