The New York herald., 1869-05-20
The Comments of the English Press on the
Alabama Claims.

The Saturday Reuie,r OF the Sth devotes two
column editorial to the relations between England
and America at the present moment, as reelected by
Mr.. Summers speech:--
The menacing language OF Mr.. Sumner, who Is
unanimously accepted as the exponent OF American
policy renders II necessary calmly TO consider the
contingency OF a rupture with the United States.
The power OF the United States TO innict
exceptional injury on England begins and ends with
Canada and the West Indian colonies The islands
would probably be defensible though In some IN
stances they might be exposed to danger; and per.
haps 1t might not be impossible to hold Nova Scotia.
Nancouver's Island and British Columbia are within
easy reach OF san Francisco, which VIII IN few
weeks be connected with the Atlantic ports by rail-
road. Ii would be impossible TO offer any resistance
on the Pacific seaboard: and the only question as TO
the principal part Of the Dominion would relate
20 the disposition OF the colonsts themselves.
II their undOubted repugnance 70 annexation were
strong enough 10 induce them TO defend their inde
pendence with vigor, 1t would be the plain duty OF
England TO devote all her resources TO their aid. IL
s true that population Of four millions, supported
by all the available force which could be detached
from England, must ultimately suecumD TO the un-
scrupulOus Efforts Of an enemy numbering thirtynye
millions; but II IL doubtful whether the American
people would persist in prongate enterprise when
II became fuy evident that success was only TO be
era confederacy the national conscience me 'Vwa was
satisfied at first with the duty OF preserv-
ing national unity, ,n and afterwards with
invasion Of Canada must be consciously undertaken
| IN the exclusive pursuit OF revenge and ambition.
American statesmen would probably sooner or later
reflect on the inconvenience OF having an injured
and disaffected race at the northern as well as the
southern extremity OF the federal territories. IL Ii
| impossible to form O confident judgment before
hand either OF Canadian resolution or OF American
policy. 1t Is only certain that aggression on English
rights will be neither costless nor bloodless unless
indeed the character of the nation has rapidly de-
| generated with the change In the spirit OF its
| Institutions. IL has not been generally found
| that democracy, With all It's defects, has
| tended 10 spiritess reputation OF burden
| some rights and duties. In such q quarrel
there will be no moral uncertainty as the aggressor
| VIII be wholly and wllfuily In the wrong Mr.. sum.
ner's ungenerons quotations from the speeches Of
Mr.. Golden, Mr.. Bright and Mr.. Forster imply
| an erroneous belief that ardent sympathy with
America involves dsloyalty 10 England. lie will be
| disappointed II he hopes that, should he force a
The London Spectator once more enters the breech,
and In an editorial evidently written with care, ex.
presses regret for that miscarriage OF English law
which led to the escape OF the Alabama. That was
miscarriage says the Spectator, and precedent
OF evil omen and, having thus acknowledged the
evil all that remained was for the government 70
pay for such part of the esses caused by this act OF
negligence THAT is as regards the individual depre.
dations OF the Alabama herse as could not be fairly
ascribed to the negligence OF the American navy 10
watching for the Alabama or even to stretch apoint
for all the losses caused by that ship but not for
those OF any OF her consorts. The argument OF the
Spectator continues In this strain for some length
and then 1t sandwiches In Jonn Bright, and what
he would and would not do regarding the extraordi.