The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-05-17
ENGLAND.
The Alabama Excitement-John Bull ON the
Rampage.


Rampage.
LONroS, May ., 1869.
The excitement over the new and startling phase
)f the Alabama question presented by Senator Sum-
aers speech increases every day, and the London
journals seem the more disposed to lash themselves
INTO a fury the more convinced they become OF their
inability 10 weaken BY fair argument the unanswer-
able case made out on behalf Of the American gov
ernment and endorsed by the all but unanimous
vote OF the United States senate. Some OF them
reterate again and again the declaration that the
gates are shut and barred against any further
sideration OF the claims Of America since reec-
ton of the Johnson-Stanley treaty, and avow that
no ministry could exist an hour that would prefer
one inch further concession on England's part to
actual war. Others, again, adopt the whistling
policy found comforting to the boy who was
compelled 10 cross a graveyard after dark, and
keep harplng on the hopeful string that senator
summers speech does not at all represent the views
Of the administration; that Motley's Instructions
Will be OF a totally different character TO those
Swallowed forth in that exposition of the popular
view OF the question: and that diplomatic demands
Will be found 10 be quite different affair from po-
itical defamation. 1t is easy TO conceive that the
organs Of the iossilized tory party have all TO gain
and nothing to lose by exciting popular prejudice
against the American side OF this momentous con-
tending their position a. sympathizers with the
southern rebellion, they desire TO embarrass the
present administration and 10 make any yielding on
their part a. Objectionable as possible the eyes OF
Englishmen. But It Is not so easy 10 understand
why the ministerial organs deem IT polite az this
time to take decided q stand against
the just demands of the American government
since 1t Is inevitable that the question must be met
by the present Cabinet fairly aud squarely and the
reckoning between the two nations be, one way or
another definitely settled
II IL significant OF the weakness OF EDglands posi-.
ton that she makes II principal cause OF complaint
against the Americans that they do not include
France in their bill OF indictment against Great
Britain. well suppose they do not, does that In
any degree mitigate the wrong done BY Englands
France recognized southern belligerency as wei as
we did,n l. the whining cry Of the whole London
press; "why do you complain OF Us and say moi ming
about herri They even repeat the statement that
France desired to recognize the Independence OF the
southern coniederacy and to that end solicited in
VAIN Tue cooperation OF the British government,
II this should be u well proven hisioricni faci
1t would only show that France desired TO commit
England openly 10 the cause Abe was SECRETLY ana
treacherously aiding. ana at all times AN ayowcd
enemy Il more honorable and lees dangerous than
who wears the mask OF friendship 10 conceal his
true features. The attempt TO drag France into the
controversy win scarcely help England VA her real
OBJECT which is Co win the Emperor Napoleon as an
ungracious mode OF gaming comrade TO drag him
by the neck into the midst OF meier. and Napoleon
~ not The sort OF person to be Pleased with such
treatment But under any circumstances the French
EmperOris Ia no condition 10 draw his sword IN an
unjust cause. The union ~ France aud
England against America 10 justify acts OF
treachery and injustice aimed al the lie
VI the republic In the hour Of her peril
would tie the signal for CONFUSION IN Europe That
would shake the foundation of the French empire.
No sensible man believes that Russia and Prussia
would remain Idle IN the event OF 40 unhOly an ALL
ance.
Tue arguments Of the English press III reply 20
senator Sumner 90 not improve with time The
London Times this morning produces It's tird direct
criticism 0f the speech, aud makes two points
Oi ocean beigcrencym TO the rebel state. opened
the gates Vr war and let loose the pirate Alabamas
upon Tue American marine, and that Eng and by
the sympathy and aid she extended 20 the South IN
CURED the reproach of AIDING 'the wicked csuse of
slavery IN Its last battle with civilization
Inc concession OF ocean belligerency argues
the Tones cannot be held 10 have LET loosc the Ala
bama upon the marine OF the United States. for the
best 0f al Onsthat the Alabama did moi
until April, 1862" while the Queens MISREPRESENTATION
ooncedng Southern beligerency was ,sauci in Nav
1861. IL was scarcely TO be expected that the Ens,
lish queens proclamation and the sendmv ont Of
pirate vessels from English ports would have heen
Simultaneous events but there II evidence I'm yist.
ence 10 show that the first steps towards the con.
structiOn OF Alabainas were taken Immediately the
recognition OF Degercncy became liked iaci. and
that those who were engaged IN the specula.
ton were hanging ABOUT the doors OG the
department for days before the proclana
zion made Its appearance. auxiPHsn awaiting