The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-20
SENA TOR CHANDLER AND THE ALA
BAMA CLAIMS.

BAMA CLAIMS.
OcpAss of ink have been spilled in vain attempts
IN adjust the Alabama claims. The official cor
respondence on the subject WILL it is said make,
in solid printed matter, at least eight thousand
octave pages and while these voluminous dis
cussions may have shed much light upon the
views held in the two countries, they have pro-
duced no better immediate result than the rejec-
tion of Reyerdy Johnson's roast beef and plum
pudding treaty.
Undnunted by the failure of the shining lights
of diplomacy, Senator Zach Chandler now pro-
poses to arrange the whole difficulty in a ''rough
and ready" manner and to dictate in the Senate
the terms which, ''peaceably if we can, but
forcibly if we must" we, the people of the
United States, intend to impose upon the Queen,
Lords, and Commons across the water. As
negotiator, Zachariah Chandler is the counter
part of the immortal Reverdy; and it appears
by the speech delivered by the former yesterday,
that the radical difference in their views has, on
several occasions, been illustrated in encOun-
ters on the floor of the Senate. Thus in 1861
when the irate Michigander proposed that an
army corps should be stationed on the northern
frontier to breed quarrel with the
Canadian raiders, the peace-loving Senator
from Maryland objected to its consideration.
Subsequently, when Mr.. Chandler proposed that
a list of all the ships and cargoes destroyed by
Rebel pirates, with their value attached, should
be made out by the Secretary of State and pay
ment in full demanded from the British Govern
ment, Reverdy johnson had the hardihood TO
object even to this innocent proposition. And
when at other periods Mr.. Chandler suggested
that such mild persuasives as threat OF non
intercourse, or the repeal of our neutrality laws,
or a guarantee of beligerent privileges TO Abys-
sna, should be applied to John Bull there was
always somebody weak or wicked enough to
squelch these amiable propositions.
Now, however, Senator Chandler thinks the
time has arrived when 1--WE should say precisely
what we mean," to wit that all outstanding ac-
counts should be squared the transfer of all the
British possessions in North America to the
United States, as full settlement to date.
This idea has been suggested at various times
and in various shapes, and it may serve the
admirable purpose of strengthening the rever-
ence of Mr.. Chambers constituents for his skill
AS negotiator and his zeal as an apostle Of the
manifest destiny doctrine. 1t is possible that
Great Britain may be willing at no distant period
to transfer her North American posses
sons to us, not because we want them,
and certainly not on account OF
any American threat to capture them, but for
reasons similar to those which induced Russia to
sell Alaska-because they may grow to be more
and more of white elephant to the British
Treasury, and a source of constant anxiety and
unrequited expense. The idea has for years
been growing in favor in England that the loss
of her Improbable colonies would be good rid
dance and the Canadians have repeatedly been
told by leading British Journals and statesmen
that if they wanted to secure independence they
could obtain it by merely demonstrating in
clear but inoffensive manner that such was the
unmistakable desire of the bulk of their popula-
ton.
Every true statesman perfectly understands,
however the vast difference between the volun-
tary surrender of territorial possessions and the
surrender of foot of soil under menace. Russia
gladly sold us Alaska. If we had threatened to
take it, she would have spent millions in fortify
ing it, Every vigorous nation defends its honor
as a priceless treasure; and while it may readily
sell or exchange territorial possessions when
the transaction is understood on both sides as an
act of mutual convenience, it rallies the last
man and the last dollar in resistance to a hostile
invader.
Senator Chandlers proposition has quietly
been referred to the Committee on Foreign Re-
lations, where, we presume, it will sleep the
sleep that knows no awakening; so that it can
scarcely do much mischief. Its serious con-
sideration coupled with his threats of war,
would do as much mischief in one direction as
Reyerdy Johnson's peace palaver did in another.
The nation desires speedy and honorable ad-
justment of the Alabama claims, but it is idle To
talk of an immediate resort TO arms if our views
do not prevail, and it is impolitc as well as in
suting to ask proud and sensitive nation TO
surrender to us her territory.