The New York herald., 1869-12-28
The Alabama Claims In n New Point OF
view-ssJOhu Bulio In the Confessional,
but Not Prepared for Abs0iuti0n.

Ine Ainbamn Claims IN n new FOint Of
view-s'Johu Bull" in the Confessional,
but Not Prepared for Absoiution.
Our cable kilograms from England to-day
indicate very plainly that the Alabama claims
question presses as heavy burden on the
national conscience of Great Britain. The
dispatches render it equally and painfully
patent that, Notwithstanding the assemblage Of
the Ecumencal Council in Rome and the
distinguished delegation which represents John
Bull among the hierarchs, John himself-John
proper and in fer0c natur9-remains ''stif-
necked' or Indifferent on the all-important and
saving subjects Of contrition, confession, abso-
luton and restitution. Led away by the carnal
vanities and love Of that merely worldly wealth
which brought really nothing in the end but
trouble and pain to the original Dives Mr..
Bull, instead of ''squaring up" the Alabama
account 50 as to open the new year in a
Christian-lke manner, is, it appears, prepar-
ing to balance his right hand against his left,
or, as our Western patriots will call it, ''play
'possum" little longer. A leading British
newspaper organ attempts to show that Mr..
Secretary Fish does not comprehend the stua-
tion with respect to the Alabama claims sub
ject, and is, in fact, muddled on the matters Of
national and belligerent rights, the Union as
whole and rebellion. The English writer says
that it is alleged by the Secretary that England
should have sold arms to the government in
Washington and "denied them to the rebels"
latter" He then adds, what he no
doubt regards as good "Bull Run"
piece of sarcasm, that eff the Union army
were unable to repress the rebels at home
England was much less able to check
them here'-that is, in England. 1t is the
old, stale statement over again, and show
ing by its reiteration that the Bishop of
Birmingham-whom we are glad to know has
been named on the Committee Of Discipline in
Rome--and even the Archbishop of West
minister himself, will find Mr.. John very
''hard case" in the confessional before he
comes to 'pay up" If they can force him by
any means-the good Of his soul Qg dread Of
worldly judgment-to discharge the Alabama
claims debt, we have not the slightest doubt
that his Grace the Archbishop of New
York has sufficient interest both with the
Holy Father and the American people to have
his penance made tolerably light. Should
John remain p>rverse however, and permit
the acceptable time Of Christmas to pass, we
cannot or will not guarantee to him the return
of the anniversary holidays in peace and any
very extensive American charity.
There is very old saying, to the effect that
some most excellent persons, near neighbors
of Mr.. John Bull, will first 'sbreak your head,
and then run off for plaster" and it looks as
if Johns recent sympathetic communion with
this nationality had imbued him with some Of
the kindly contradictions of its people; for
Immediately after the Alabama claims subject
the London journal republishes from New
York ''card" about the conduct of the Har-
ward oarsmen during the late boat race on the
Thames, expressing its joy at such ''manly'
effusion. This is the attempt at balance to
which we have referred, and II the American
people and Mr.. Secretary Fish will accept the
''feathered oars" of Harvard as against the
steam and shot of the Alabama the ''claims'
may be perhaps quickly and amicably ad-
justed.