Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12
Relations with England.


Later comments of the English journals on the
rejection of the Alabama Treaty are much more
rational. The London Naos says
"Tho Alabama treaty, 80 laboriously negotiat-
cd BY Lord Stanley and Mr. Reycrdy johnson,
may now he considered as done with. Its reiec-
ton by the Senate of the United States has been
almost contemptuous, but we fear that the single
senator who voted in its favor Is type Of all its
friends in American society. The Americans who
are for an immediate and friendly settlement with
us are only to be counted by units but we be-
lieye we may add that If those who are Tor buster
ing demands may he counted by tens, those who
are for doing nothing nj present may he counted
by hundreds. II is more and more evident That
to the bulk Of the American people this Alabama
matter is no way money claim but is griev-
ance Of sentiment-the worst kind Of grievance Ia
bear, and the hardest 10 remove. Our cousins
are offended, and a money settlement Will not APP
pease them. The very fuss We have made with
their minister has rather irritated than so0thcd
them. We are glad to see that an able and phi.
lOsophic journal says that the matter being one OF
sore feeling ON the part of Americans, time only
will heal il, but that time will heal IT, Perhaps
the better plan will he 10 give II time. We can
only offer the material apology Of paying for the
Injuries our recklessnes- in the Alabama per-
mitted Mr.. Laird and Mr.. Semmes to iniict, We
are ready TO do this now we shall be equally
ready 10 do it some time hence. Time will make
no difference on this side. and as il may make all
the difference on the other side, We may well
leave the question 10 It's healing influence.
The Liverpool Post takes different view
" Property has been destroyed, and somebody
should bear the loss or somebody should pay for
it, The Americans say the English must bear
the loss for they permitted the Alabama 10
leave an English port and commence the destrue-
ton of property Such destruction Of property
had not, and could not have the remOtest inilu-
ence on the war. IL exercised no such influence.
But we must not disguise from ourselves the TACT
that Jonathan has got the right end OF the stick
in his hand and that therefore the sooner we
adjust the matter the better Experience has shown
that in every quarrel with Us he always wins.
In this case the common sense of mankind is on
his side and perhaps it would be wise 10 pay
the money and have done with it for paying the
money would have better effect, would seem
more honorable, than Directing 10 details and Iii
Dramatically ohie,ting here and there, which OBJ
iections will ultimately come to nothing. We
cannot afford big quarrel with America we
can, perhaps, less afford little quarrel. We want
trade we want cotton we want market for
our manufactures and quarrel, little or big,
will interpOse little or much to our disadvantage
in this affair The apprehension Of war will
affect the growth of cotton in the Southern States
Of America the apprehension Of q war will en-
courage extravagnt expenditures in American
manufactures, in order TO rival our own and the
apprehension of war will interfere in n matter
not less serious-the growth Of cereals, the inn
ports of which we stand 50 much in need of.
The Americans will probably say, We don't
want Lancashire 10 purchase or use up our cot
ton the Continent will take it all. We could
do without exporting our breadstuiis to the Mer-
/ sey, because France and Germany would take all
we have to send and send the produce of their
| fields to feed the English people" The princi-
pies of protection would be acceptable to the
American people owing TO their absurd miscon-
ceptiun of free trade; and thus jonathan may
think that he is in a condition to press hard in
the argument with John Rull and wait, assured
| of the ultimate success of his argument. We
cannot afford experiments like this. Some mem.
| Der in Parliament ought TO get up and ask the
foreign secretary what is the amount claimed for
/ the damage done to American trldo and shipping
by the Alabama. II is a considerable sum, but
comparatively, it is trihing sum and, whether
large or tri6ing, the debt should be adjusted
honorably and honestly as speedily as possible
There is danger, too, in delay-yery great danger
in delay for the anticipation of delay may en-
courage the opposition 10 defeat the Irish churcl
| bill and fill Ireland with active treason. Aetiy,
/ treason in Ireland cannot be otherwise than ad
verse 10 the peace and prosperity Of Great Brit
ain and the prosperity Of Great Britain, though
essential 10 herself, may be regarded with tolera
bic Indifference, with tolerable dislike, and witt
positive hostility by some of our continental
neighbors."