The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1869-05-07
WHIT SUMMERS DEMANDS.

ty-a speech delivered in making a re-
port, without precedent in the Senate,
recommending the rejection of treaty
signed by a MINISTER speech from
which the injunction of secrecy was re-
moved in Executive session. speech
that was sustained by the vote of every
Senator save one. and is wholly en-
dorsed by the President. Under these
circumstances, squarely and from a new
initial point, meeting the only import>
ant issue existing between the United
States and another great power, it pos
sesses unusual interest. He assumes
that this country has borne grievances
from England; that the treaty makes no
adequate compensation for them. It's
rejection is therefore urged He asserts
that our requests and propositions for
an equitable adjustment of damages
RussePs letter, of August so. 1865, sta
ting that England declines either to
make reparation and compensation for
the captures of the Alabama. or to refer
the question to any foreign state : that
the recognition of the Confederates who
were without ships on the ocean or
| prize courts" was encouraging piracy :;
that the indecent haste in doing so
when our Minister was known To be
within day or two's journey of Lon
don; the allowance of FIVE days to inter-
vene after charges were preferred
against the Alabama before a show os
attempt was made TO detain her; the
| enlisting of pirstical crews in England,
and 'harboTing pirate vessels in her
} ports; were all offences against the dig
I nifty, as we'll as commerce and property
of this country. Mr.. Sumner. there
fore. demands for his country that def
erence and respect to which she is en-
titled before the world. He assumes
I the same reserved, inherent dignity in
/ This government that he, the most li5~
eral of Radicals, individually retains
back OF all general principles. aud that
has acquired him the recognized char
acter of Republican aristocraJ. He
therefore not only rejects this treaty,
bat urges ignoring all overtures for he =
/ gotiation until England admits she has
I done a wrong. In hIs own words. sta~
sing the injuries ferPetrated. he says: ::
And yet down TO this day there is no
\ acknowledgment of this wrong not n
single word. Such generous express
sion would be the beginning of a just
settlement, and the best assurance OF
that harmony between two great and
kindred nations which all must desire"
When this Acknowledgements has been
made, there will be basis for peace>
ful negotiations. a precedent accepted
by each and n permanent settlement
attained. The present treaty cannot
be considered. and TO stand the settles
ment off with the intent To repay in
kind, would not be less dangerous. His
plan alone looks to desirable Peace. No
explicit terms of treaty are submitted,
he probably considering that the duty
of the diplomats. but the key note and
theme is, England must admit the
wrong" he cites instances when she
did this before-in the burning of the
Caroline in 80 near Niagara Falls, and
the firing on the Chesapeake by the
Leopard in 1S07-in each CT which ip>
stances apology preceded compensation.
SIR. Sumner evidently regards this in
the same light as personal insult and
wrong. There is one essential to any
negotiations for damages before amiN
cable relations can be resumed-thn ex-
pressed regret of the party in fault.
The statistics given in the speech put
the total damage at one hundred and
ten millions of dollars. The actual loss
was 1 .229, ,O35 tons. To this add FIVE per
cent. annually, the natural increase, on
our entire tonnage which was arrested
by the piraces-1, ,3S495S tons. Each
ton being estimated at $40 in gold, and
allowance made for old and new ships.
makes up the total of our bill of
damages. While our commercial yes
sells were being destroyed the English
flag amply protected British vessels. and
the immense trade American bottoms
had acquired was thrown into the hands
of British shipowners, and as yet We
have scarce begun to recover. Ameri-
cans were "frozen out" and many years
will elapse before they recover their
once proud rivalry on the ocean.
Whether Mr. Summers views will be
maintained, remains 20 be seen. Mr..
Motley appears to be left in condition
not to make overtures but receive them,
7 and as his appointment was received
I principally through Mr.. Summers in
L fiuence, his views may be copjectured
as fully in harmony with those ex-
press ed above. IL seems very certain