The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-21
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
The Question As viewed from an Ensli

--o
The Question Rs Viewed from an English
letter, written by well-known English
author to gentleman residing in this city, has
been handed us for publication. We present 1t
below, interlarded with q few comments
LONDON, June 3, 1s69.-The excitement here about
the Alabama diflculty is dying out and am glad OF
IL, for now hope that an era OF good feeling VIII
set in and that the questions at Issue Will be dis
cussed In a dspassionate manner with view to an
early settlement With regard to our international
relations think that Americans are Systematically
unjust to us. You cite the Alabama as evidence Of
the rule OF conduct during your civil war, and
take no note OF the other ships which our Govern
ment stopped and that, too, by illegal stretch Of
power, for which in no case they
were adjudged to pay damages. If ever we
go to war, which Providence forbid and your Govern
ment preserves a neutrality as faithfully as did ours,
we shall be perfectly satisfied. II you let an Alabama
or two escape we shall forgive you. We wish
better measure than gave. large portion Of
our people-possibly a neutrality-suspicious. with
the South; but why shouldn't they? When we were
at war with Russia, great portion Of your people
sympathized with Russia and we did not complain
Why should we2 The way in which the public take
sides in fights outside their borders means little or
nothing beyond caprice The weakest side and the
puckiest has usually the most hackers. When Prus-
sa and Austria attacked Denmark, the majority of
our people sided with Denmark because it was the
weakest, though Denmark quite in the wrong.
direction OF our sympathies, or felt the least ag-
grieved at our folly.
Then, too why does Mr. Sumner exhaust all his
indignation on England, and forget France, which
was anxious to acknowledge the Confederacy and
only held back because we refused to move? fear
you think far too much of England, and lay far too
much stress our criticism. wish you could feel
as indifferent to criticism as we do to yours
Why, your newspapers and politicians always
swapping at us, and we only laugh! You laughed
9TH eth
speech, and the rejection of Reverdy Johnsons
treaty.-EDIToR EVENING TELEGRAPH England
seems to have no friends in America America has
innumerable friends in England-friends
who accused of loving you better
than their own countrymen. Your aversion
to we sorry for, chiefly on your account.
PIT does you infinite injury How sad!-EDIToR
EVENING TELEGRAPH, and shuts us of from many
services we should gladly render. wish we could
do something to soften your hearts IPay our bill
EDITOR EVENING TELEGRAPH, but fear there is no
hope of that until you clearly feel that you are
superiors at every point. May Heaven hasten the
day! [Amen!-EDIToR EVENING TELEGRAPH,l That
you should take the lead in the world, and lead well
and wisely, is a consummation anticipate with
sort OF jealousy. [If this be so, English sentiment
has indeed been sadly misapprehended in this
country.-EDIToR EVENING TELEGRAPHl
One reason, imagine, OF your inability to get on
with us, is similarity in characters Our
differences appear to have family acrimony and
better than we do now, and were the Alabama out
of the way, have not the least doubt your pot-
clans would discover new bone OF contention. l
therefore earnestly desire that your German imm-
gration may increase, and the Irish diminish. A
large infusion Of German blood would do wonders in
softening the family bitterness. Then, too look
for great change when your Atlantic population is
balanced by that on the Pacific, and you begin to
think OF Old England much as we do Of Holland. To
time alone indeed, look for the improvement of
relations. Your jealousy and antipathy not to
be removed by the mere removal of pretexts; the
spirit never wants preteXts, and finds as easily
in pin-head as in mountain.
You see write unreservedly and, would have
you understand, simply in 8 political sense. For
Americans personally have the strongest liking;
indeed some of the sweetest natures have ever
known have come from your side of the ocean. /
like much to hear them talk about England, and South
appear to treat us quite as bad as Northern
ers. II we responsible for the Alabama the South
shows no of our favors; and fancy If you set
about fighting us, South Carolina would be quite as
eager for the fray Massachusetts. No; the truth
is, it is out Of our power TO please you 1t is our
very existence that is your offense and clearly
recognizing the fact does much to promote our
equanimity. If we could cease to be- however,
am afraid you would be very unhappy [Oh very =
EDITOR EVENING TELEGRAPH, and produce many
euogistic history Of the Old fatherland.
Inever read an American criticism on our internal
politics that is not touched more or less with absur
dlty ana tne same Is Urue OI rrencn crlVlCsl anu
indeed, of all foreign criticism. And so am ready
TO believe that views OF your great civil
equally at fault And that being the case, you should
try to excuse blunders by saying, 'They really
cannot see." I'VE do say that continually-EDrToR
EVENING TELEGRAPH. i know you cannot under
stand us [but we do understand you perfectly
EDITOR EVENING TELEGRAPH and you should know
that we cannot understand you. II this fact
duly recognized, it might DO much to subdue rrita
ton with unfair criticism 1t would be easy to null
tply considerations like these Gd iyiHitun. Only OF
this be assured: If you hate u.s. shall do best
to love you. Even II we did wrong in favOring the
South would it not have been worse had We dsliked
you indefinitely?