The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-04-16
CHI A r T. E S TON.
FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 1e, 1869.
Bcaraing tho British Lion.

Distant as we are from the intrigues and
plots of the Federal capital, it is difficult
to tell whether Senators Sumner and Chand-
ler and William Pitt Fessenden are in seri-
GUS earnest when they ase language which
should make an amicable settlement of the
Alabama claims improbable, if not impos-
sible
Whatever may be the opinion of the Rad
ioal politicians, it is reasonably certain
that, from the English point of view, the
Reverdy johnson treaty made every CON
cession and admission that the public tenn
per would allow. The determination Of the
Senate committee to make an unfavorable
report caused more relief than regret; for,
while it was seen that there was at least q
remote prospect Of an outbreak Of hostili-
ties between the old country and the new,
it was felt that the Radical leaders had
made up their minds to keep the wound
open, and to consent to no settlement which
would not be recognition by Great Bri-
tain of the superior power, wisdom and
magnifcenoe Of these United States And
during the last few weeks there has been
no change in English popular sentiment, it
being very doubtful whether Lord Claren-
don could now offer with safety the very
terms which the Senate has so oavalierly
rejected.
The suggestion that the United States
will take Canada as receipt in full for the
damages caused by the depredations Of the
Alabama and her companions, will receive
no more attention in England than the propo.
sition to return Gibraltar to Spain. Canada
is costly jewel in the Imperial crown; and
there would be no lasting objection to
! separation of the prinosly colony from the
mother country, if that separation were the
natural consequence of increased popula-
tion, mature strength and desire for more
thorough independence. When, however,
such men as Sumner and Chandler demand
the disintegration Of the Empire and the
annexation Of the province Of Canada to
the United States, they. arc only putting it
"out Of the question for any Ministry to
comply with their terms, without perform
ing political Aari kari.
Nor do we believe that the senators who
talk SO boldly with closed doors, or the jour
nails who gjye the English Government
twenty iAohes daily Of exhortation and
abuse, have any serious idea that their
proposition will be beaccepted. Indeed, they
do not desire that it should be. tis bart
oftheirperformanoe to find cry which shall
take the place Of that Of "negro rights and
Radical glori6cation," and they will not be
satisfied while there is another world Of words
to conquer. Their theory is peace, as It is
that Of President Grant. Their practice is
war, as the policy which gives the greatest
opportunities for laying UP power and 40
curing commercial capital. The longer
the disorder and uncertainty last the better
for them; only the bubbling and boiling Of
the cauldron cause the scum to rise.
The English are not an exoitable people.
and win not ay into q passion because Of
the vaporing Of Sumner and Chandler. But
they will assuredly be armed at ell points;
they will rest upon their shields, and il the
Radicals insist upon having war, their
wishes may be gratiAed, at the very mo-
msnt when they have come to the conclu.
sion that it is impossible to kick tLs som
nolent British Lion into even spasmodio
activity. aa,4
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