Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-02-26
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L w o oLLARS YEAR.


We are glad to see the intimation that the Sen
ate will not act in hurry on the forthcoming
recommendation Of the Committee on Foreigi
relations that tie Alabama Claim Treaty negoti
ated by Mr. Reverdy johnson, be rejected Tn
doubteily that treaty does not satisfy publ
feeling in the United States, and probably Ii
treaty could be framed that would. The wron.
done US by England is not considered iirh
matter in thi. country. When We had the RICH
to suppose that We could count with perfect con
fdence on the sympathy of the great free peapl,
Of our own race and tongue across the water. n
oar contest with a shareholders rebellion. W,
found that sympathy given by her ruling men.
against tie protest Of comparatively few and
feeble Of her citizens, to our traitors. We found
the English statesmen animated by jealousy O..
us which We would not have believed possible
without such absolute proof; AMI no, only vii
ling TO see our nation Mexicanized into two.
three, or hslf dozen iniernecine powers, bu,
de:erniuel that that should be the result Of the
war, and ready TO give material aid to make
It SO. We fund the British Government max
ing indecent haste 10 recognize the rebels as bel
icerents. We found the rebel treasury supplied
with British money We found England grant
ing maritime rights to a be.lirsrent wftbou,
port or ship. Corslirs, built in English dock
yards, mannel with British crews. armed with
British guns, fitted with British stores, were
allowed to put ont from British ports. hoist tn,
rebel flag in sight Of the shores Of England.
start out on their cruises, light up the ocean
With the flames Of unarmei and unresistinc
American merchaut;aen. put into British ports
30 provision and reft, and start again 10 repeat
the sam, process. till American commerce wa,
ruael, for the benefit Of Eaghni-fr England
aas since monopoizod the carrying trade Of both
countries. The course Of England. as coutras.e-l
Ti'A one which she might houorablv and con-
A-stsntly have pursued, probably heightened the
slr one or two years. If so, we may charge 70
English account, say a third Of our national debt
and taxation.
Tue feeling arising from this course on Eng
lands part is TOO deep-seatel to be wirei
cut by any treaty. Certainly the payment to
our shipowners by England Of the money value
Of the ships actually burned by the Alabama and
Rappahannock, viii 20 but a little way
towards quieting it, 1t can only be laid TO rest
by war, or by t. l7ng lapse of time. But We
did lot see fit to declare war upon England
when the rebellion WIS subduei; though if We
had done SO, bad seized every English hull IL |
American waters AMI garrisoned Montreal. Tor
onto and Quebec with Grant and Sherman blue
coats, it would probably have been fully iusti-
fable by the laws and usl-e. of
nations, But We had had enough Of war for
one while, and 10 not banker after another lust
yet. II would, moreover. be a sad dav for the
rights Of man and the progress Of the race. which
-hould see the two great free Enr,ish-speakin.
Protestant nations at war with each other:-and
here are enough Of our people that realize thi.
- prevent a var between the countries
II is nov Of more consequence TO England to
'a's the questions involved in ;ie Alabama
reaty settled. than it j. to this country We
&c hkeiy TO be troubled with No more re'ell.ors
.hSand is not Yet through with hers. If she
M acknowledge the wrong she did Us. viii own
MT She was wrong IN rrauting beIligerent rights
the rebels AZ their first request and before tn,
ro'sst of our government could he heard, and IN
ranting maritime rights TO a faction witbo1.
IVY or naval station, AID viii pay literally far
e injuries resulting 70 our commerce from ber
ndact, she will have done al We can reason
Wy expect, and We may accept it as the only
ncea"le replraiion possible. If she viii not.
can biie cur time. The day viii be pretty =.
'n TO come when we can secure the ample,tre. ~
button by simply adopting in the case of some
Engil' Il rebels, the course she took in thecsss
ours. II may be said Of such course that two
nss Will not make a right; but the millennium
not 50 hear that nations can adopt the Chris "
maxim Of turning the other cheek when '-
; is >init'en. England had suffered no wrong al
m Us, "hen she deliberately and with malice
rethongat injured Us SO deeply. We have
ereI a grierous wrong from her, and vi
sain-ay our right, when occasion offers.
" to her case her own principles aud 20
rae