The New York herald., 1869-06-07
ENGLAND.

The Alabama War Ci0ud--sir Francis Buli
Head en- the Sitnation-air. Forsfer's speech
The Liberals and the Tories.
LONDON, May "A. 1862
The London journals having exhausted their first
unanimous expression OF Indignation against SEN
stor Summers clear and lorcible exposition OF the
Alabama question, are now beginning 10 examine
and argue the case from different standpolnts ac-
cording TO their respective sentiments and sympa-
thes. Thus tue more liberal papers adopt concili-
atory tone, admitting sins Of omission ana commits
sion on the part OF the British government in regard
to the escape and non-capture OF the Alabama, and
apooglzng to- the unfrenlly attitude OF the upper
classes in England towards The United states during
the rebellion; While the organs OF the aristocraiic
element OF the country are putting on an inso-
lent swagger, and breathing fierce defiance
against tn presuming Yankees. All, however con-
cur in still declaring the entertainment of any claim,
either for apology or compensation on account Of
the concession OF begerent rights TO the Southern
rebels thing not 10 be thought or Two individual
representatives Of the opposite classes have made
themselves heard during last week the one, Nr.
Forster radical member OF Parliament who was
friend OF the American government during the re-
beon, and the other. Sir Francis b. Head, who was
Lieutenant Governor OF Upper Canada during the
latter gentlemen is by no means brilliant, but 1t
must be remembered that Its author was born ten
years or so before the close OF last century and
that since he filled the office of Lieutenant Governor
or Canada, thirty odd years ago he has lived under
the impression that he is retired monarch and has
lost sight OF the advance aud progress OF the world
It Will be remembered that during the Canadian
rebellion OF 1887 one OF the principal ragamunlns
concerned therein, Mckenzie by name, escaped TO
the United States. Sir Francis L. Head made a
requisition upon the Governor OF New York. the late
william L. Marcy, for the rendition OF Mckenzie on
charges OF murder robbery and arson; but Governor
Marcy, acting under the advice Of Samuel Boards
ley then Attorney General OF New York. declined TO
surrender up the fugitive for the reason that the
crimes alleged against him were committed while a
state OF rebellion or insurrection existed in the
province and were the result " COLLISION between
two hostile forces, one enoeavorlng 10 overthrow
Now Sir Francis Bull Head regards this
as complete parallel TO the concession
OF belligerent rights 10 the Southern rebels by
the British government, and a satisfactory seton
against all claims Tor Alabama damages Because
you ARercans, he says. refused TO deliver mp po-
ltcal refugee at my demand thirty years ago, you
declared that state Uf war existed in Upper Canada
and you decided 20 act as q neutral between the
reOes and the government. so, them behold our
answer to your demand for damages. We viii set
of your RECOGNITION OF Canadian rebel belligersnCy
against our recognition of Southern rebel belhger-
ency ana your refusal 10 send out Mckenzie against
our refusal prevent the sending out Of the Aaba-
ma, and the affair Is settled. Even Englishmen who
take the trouble 10 reau sir Iranciss document ex-
claim what head iOr a statesman
The speech OF Mr.. Forster on the Ala
ter. Mr.. Forster was an earnest friend OF the
American government during the rebellion and
struggled maniu!Iy against the unjust and unirendy
acts OF his county, which he could then stlgmatze
ss they deserved. 10 Is needless TO inquire how iar
selfintefest Influenced his course he had cast his
lot among the refOrmers Of England; lac foresaw
that the DOWNFALL OF reuf1Dlr4u iOstifutiDns Ia
America so ardeutly desired by the British arisiO-
cracy would utterly DESTROY the homes OF the prog.
tessive party az home, and he. therefore, ranged
himself on the 81 10 OF the American Union. Mr..
Forster now dec ares that az friend Of that union
he himself desired ana approved the concession Of
begerency TO the Southern rebels for the reason
that unless her Najesy's proclamation had been
south, it would not have been in the
power OF the British government TO pre-
from fitting out vessels 20 sail under letters OF
marque against tue American government But
English Journals are constantly assang the Alneri-
can government Tor ALLEGED neglect OF du ? IN sur
fering expeditions 20 leave tHn United States 10 and
the Cuban revolutlonists and thcy charge A!nerIca
with inconsistency because, they assert she
claims damages from England on one side FOR having
aided and sympathlzed with the Southern rebellion,
and on the other side eVinces disposition 10 extend
aid and sympathy 10 the Cuban rebellion. NOW n
Mr. forster's argument is sound, and England would
really have had no right 10 prevent her subjects from
making war against the United states under the
cover OF Confederate letters Of marqne, unless sh,
first conceded Oelligerent rigs 10 the South, then
a. the American government has never conceded
beligerent rights to the Cuban reyolutionsts IL can
possess authority 70 prevent IT. subjects from en-
paging In the service OF the CuDans and fitting out
expeditions for their aid under Cuban commissions.
But II must be borne IN mind that Mr.. forster'E
party now In power and n his sense Of England's
unriendliness to the United States government
seems less acute now than II was seven or eigh
years ago the change may be attributed TO the eager
ness OF politician 20 protect his own associates ant
not TO the conviction that England was then In tht
right and Mr.. Forster In the wrong. Another argu
ment advanced by Mr. Forster Is that the hostility tc
fashionable society," OF England, and not from
the workshops, and he expresses astonish
ment that American republicans should show
British aristocrats. The liberal organ, back
ing up his speech, adds:--"It is surely moi
the part Of high minded republican statesmen "a
spurn the fruitful fidelity and good wishes OF the
millions, while claiming fabulous damages Tor the
luthe anIOuts OF our fOiled and abashed upper ten
thOusand.n THIS might be all very well but for the
iact that the upper ten thousand are the rulers o
England, while the millions In the workshops are
mere political serfs without voice In the govern
ment OF vote TO cast In behalf OF their own destiny
lndeed the organ OF the ten thousand vents lts
Sse strongsr % vopaat apaeL o5 ne impelcy-not "a
people at this crisis in language OF aectionate ALL
mratiOn" and reminds him that the upper class rr
the rule rulers oT IN England England while the masse.
fectly justhable therefore, In holding England
responsible for the action OF the governing
classes, for they caused the concession OF 6eQeren
rights TO the rebels who were striving TO destroy IN,
American naton they fitted out Alabamas TO prey
upon American commerce; they cheered on and ann
pied the pirates who were reddening the sea viii
the burning Of American vessels; they advance,
money cotton loans 10 enable the rebels to carr
on their rebellion, and Mr.. Forster and the goo
workmen OF Bradford, who cheered his speech wer
powerless 70 prevent this sort OF neutrality" whc
hr. Forster thenlooked on as burning Sin and dii
ss = a-H