The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-04-16
CHARLES TON.
FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 16, 1869.
Boarding 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 Fessehden are. in seri-
GUS earnest when they use language which
should make an amioable settlement of the
Alabama oisims 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 seer 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 q recognition by Great Bri-
tain Of the superior power, wisdom and
mognifcence 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 Gould now offer with safety the very
terms which the Senate has so cavalierly
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 a costly jewel in the Impsri crown, and
there would be no lasting objection to q
sar.-~!..- .s .l-r-:---iy -vvi~-y from the
mother country, if that separation were the
natural consequence of increased popula-
tion, mature strength and desire for more
thorough Independence When, howeyer,
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 are only put ing it
out Of the question for any Ministry to.
comply with their terms, without perform
ing political hari kari. 49,.
Nor do we believe that the senator's who
talk 30 boldly with closed doors, or the jour
mails who give the Bnglish Government
twenty-four inches daily Of e1hortation and
abuse, have any serious idea that their
proposition will be secepted. Indeed, they
do not desire that it should be. tits part
oftheir performance to find CRY which shall
take the place of that Of "negro rights and
"Radical glorifcation," and they will not be
satisfied while there is another world ofwords
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 ac-
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 e1citsble people,
and will not fly into passion because Of
the vaporing of Sumner and Chandler. But
they will sssuredly be armed at all points;
they will rest upon their shields, and if the
Radicals insist upon having war, their
wishes may be gratifed, at the very mo-
msnt when they have come to the conclu.
sion that it is impossible to kick the SOM
nolent British Lion into even spaamodic
activity.