Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-04
PUBLIC LEDGER.
ENGLAND AND THE UNITED
STATES.


STATES.
The newly appointed Minister to Eng
land, Mr.. Motley, has been waiting seine
time in Washington until he could re-
ceive his instructions from this Govern
ment, preparatory to leaving for his post.
It is telegraphed over the country that
his instructions have been based upon
the speech of Mr.. Sumner, delivered in
he Senate, a short time ago, on the
Alabama treaty. If that be the case,
why we may look for war cloud soon N
that part of the hemisphere.
To humiliate England would crafty
the Yankees spleen, doubtless. 1t is
quite an easy matter, as did the nice,
to resolve TO bell the cat but where was
the mouse to be found that had the
courage to attempt it2 Wouldyou think
for a moment the Yankee could be IN
duced to lay bis hand on the main OF the
British lion in anger? Not so, with the
Southern dependencies hanging round
the neck of the Government, and ma
tional debt already so large as to make
the people groan with tears in their
eyes.
General GRAFT has no doubt the pluck
to engage in any well devised scheme OF
war, but he hardly would be supported
by the timid bondholders and the ship
ping interest 1t was by chance spec
ulation that this moneyed aristocracy
was elevated to their present supposed
hight. The risk was small at hrst.
When, during the rebellion, gold was
worth one for three in greenbacks, they
invested their money, and by so doing
their fortunes have since been trippled.
These money-lenders could hardly be
induced to part with one-half the worth
of their greenbacks for the bonds which
would be reduced in value by the country
being plunged in war. No. they much
preferred discussing this subject through
the newspapers and around the break
fast tables of Shoddyites. Mr.. Sumner
would rather have the credit of making
buncombe speeches on the Alabama
treaty, which create only q momentary
sensation aud are then forgotten. Mr..
Zach. Chandler doubtless likes the note
riety of making idiotic demands OF
England to cede Canada to the United
States for the losses sustained from
the depredations Of the Alabama.
This last is an example Of the pre-
sent craftsmanship new 10 the Rad
ical Senate at Washington. How do
you suppose, Mr.. Chandler, Great Britain
would treat so absurd q proposition as
the cession Of Canada to the United
States for an unjust demand Of few
millions of dollars made by this Govern
ment2 Before anything was done look
ing to step of that sort by either gov
eminent, it would be necessary to obta in
the consent Of Canada herself to the
transfer. And from what we can learn,
Canadians are not at all disposed to put
off The free mantle of English liberty to
deck themselves out in the stars and
stripes, a mockery on free government,
and the worst despotism that has been
practised Of late years upon any people.
The fact is, that the subject Of Mr..
Chambers speech was discussed in The
Canadian House Of Commons several
days after its delivery, and there was not
voice raised in favor Of the transfer
But the Hon. Mr.. Gait was loud
ly cheered in speech delivered
on the occasion, in opposition to
Canada becoming part o. the United
States, and was followed by other distin-
guished members of the same body who
were equally opposed to becoming
United States subjects. The idea was
net pleasant to contemplate with these
free Euglanders-to be handed over to
Yankee csrpet-baggers, who would nc
doubt at once have taken possession Of
everything ia the way Of fat offices aud
public moneys.