Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-05-13
SUMNER on THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.

The Washington correspondent ofthe New York
Herald has had conversation with Senator Sum-
ner on the subject of his recent speech upon the
Alabama clair.s. As matter of course, the cor
respondent sent his notes to his paper, and they
were published as highly significant" 1t may
be that there is high significance in mans esti-
mate of the effects Of bis own prodigious eloquence
but ordinary mo-tals will suppose that whatever
practical significance attaches to the speech in
question arises from the opinion of others than
Mr. Sumner.
1t is refreshing, however, to notice that MIR. S.
is highly pleased with his own eloquence, though
be spoils the effect of his artless vanity by throw
ing out hints that he does not intend to demolsh
the British lion entirely. He is gracious enough
to say that he does not expect war; leaving the in
ference that when England has read her sins as
portrayed by Mr. Sumner she will hasten to ac-
knowledge her guilt and, with weeping eyes, ask
pardon and pay whatever damages MIR. Sumner
may choose to ask.
The choicest display Of innocent egotism lies in
Sumner declaration that his speech was rather
pacific in its tone" When we recall the indigna-
ton manifested iu England at the time the speech
was received there, which was fully known to Sum-
ner this declaration rises to the sublimity Of i'm
pudence How strange that such pacific speech
should stir the bile ofa people who have fully
proved their anxiety for an honorable peace.
MIR. Sumner takes great pride in the fact that
prominent Senators took the trouble to endorse all
he said. Especially does he rejoice in heendorse-
ment of that peaceful spirit, Mr.. Chandler, who
declares that England must hand all Canada over,
as damages" This is very pretty, and admirably
calculated to assure champions of such ultra ner-
vous temperaments as Mr.. Sumner Indeed it
may be doubted whether he could, remembering
Brooks rubber cane, have mustered courage to
make such speech, without knowing beforehand
that he would be endorsed.
Another thing seems curious to Mr. Sumner,
and causes him to smell an enormous rat. The
London Times did not publish the peaceful speech.
1t is "suspicious" circumstance, and Mr.. S. &C
counts for it by the suppostion that the English
government suppressed it, because "they were a.
fraid to let the people read it before the papers
had chance to prejudice public sentiment against
it." This is strange indeed Strange that they
wanted to suppress peaceful speech, while peace
is all they ask, and still stranger that they could
keep it out Of only one paper, if they did wish to
suppress it.
The truth is, Sumner has no idea of what he
did, when he made his speech. He talks as if he
had no desire to stir up war or insult England. II
he is sincere in his assertions, he has no idea Of
what constitutes an insult, which is not unlikely,
taking his history into consideration. Hhe is not
sincere, he is criminal of the deepest dye; for he
must know the consequences which may follow.
In either case, he has acted the part Of quarrel
maker and by no means that of statesman.
His estimate of what he said is, therefore, not
to be trusted When man like Andrew Jackson
explains his previous utterances, he may be be-
Geved; because we know he sees the consequences
and will stand up to what be has said, scorning to