The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-05-08
rejection orthc Alabama Treaty.

Rejection OF the Alabama v.
On the 18th Of April, the American Senate
went into executive or secret session to consider
the treaty made and signed by Minister johnson
and Lord Clarendon, respecting the settlement of
the AEaLama claims. by this convention. the
United States and England agreed to refer all
claims arising out of the late war, including
those Of Englishmcn residing ut the South during
tile Rebellion. To a joint commission Of four per-
sons 1.-TWO appointed by England and two by
America). AMI. in case Of disagreement, an UNI
pirc. to be nominated by the President and ap-
proved 10y the British Government. was to have
final decision. The principle Of including the
claims Of Engii-hInen residing at tine South during
the Rebellion, most of whom symInthizci with
and aided the rebels, was generally regarded n
unfair. and, from the fret. threatened o. defeat
it, ratification.
During the discussion in the secret session.
>s""'-~ ~"'"u%r ,"od~ - powerful srecch. occupy
ing two hours. lie took the ground that tie
treaty cUuld not be considered a settlement of the
pending question between the two countries. It
was merely a settlement II individual claims on
both sides. The case against England was clabo-
Tatcly presented, including the British rroclann-
ton of neutrality, and tie permitting of the
building and equipment Of privatcers in British
port, which had the effect OF p~rulunging the war
tso years. lie claimed that tire British Govern
ment should be made 4, respond in damagcs-not
only t. individuals. but al-, t. the National Cow
eminent. lie estimated the losses ut 500. uUu, 900.
and argued that the recognition Of bclligcrcucy ON
behalf Of the Southern Coniederacy was an un-
friendly act hy England, and that the Government
should never surrender its protest against this re-
cognition. lie contendcd that the treaty failed
to properly emphasize tie wrongiulness Of this
recognition. The Alabama question should be
considered 10y itself. The next move which should
come from England ought to confess Judgment
AMI result in the acknowledgment and prompt
payment Of claims.
On the conclusion of Summers speech, several
Senators briefly indorscd it, aud expressed salts
faction At the temperate and instructive views
presented. Among them were Cas-erly. Soft,
Thurman. Warren, Sherman and others. The
Senate unanimously removed the injunction Of sc-
crecy from one part Of the proceedings-Sumner's
speech which Will dc published.
At the session ON the following day, the debate
was resumed. All the Senator'S. saws the telc-
graph report, were agreed rs 10 the grave nature
Of the question, and only Senator Chandler made
a warlikc demonstration. lie did not believe
there WIS room on the continent for any nation
which insultcd America. lie had long believed
the struggle over Canada would soon come. and
now hc believed it would come in his day.
senator Davis wanted tie matter further con-
rilcTed, and 10 take into special consideration the
degree Of justification for the recognition of the
by England, furnished by her treating with
them n bclligcrents.
Senator Warner. of Alabama, made n short
attracting n good deal Of attention. lie
said the senate should act in this matter, not in
the heat Of excitement, not with a flourish Of
,rumpcis hut coolly. deliberately. ~solcmnly. mas
lie said the Senator from Massachusetts,
had shown how impossible it was to state the
to the United States and To- civilization,
in an account current, 70 be balanced by dollars.
would not allow her to cJndone this great
wrong by the payment Of n little paltry gold. If
-hc could afford to 20 down to history a. an alder
If the rebellion in rhe interest Of human slavery.
could afford 10 lose the few millions which she
agree 70 give " IN the settlement. lie
would have the United States maintain their great
vantage ground n a guarantee of future Justice
and pace. lie thought that despite England's
aid to the rebellion. we had achieved the greatest
for liberty and Christian civilization to
be found in the annals Of tie race, and could af-
10 be content. There could be no settle
ncnt Of the question made. We might forgive
Great Britain for the wrong done u,. She might
,~Tologize but she could never pay for it in gold.
Instead Of advising or consentins TO withdraw all
propositions for settlement, in such action. there
would be a suggestion Of natural dignity and u
strengthening Of reserved rights, which could not
AL To exercise a healthy influence on the mind of
he British nation and of the world.
When the final vote was called for, whether the
realty should BE- ratified or rejected. ont Of sixty
only one vote was recorded in its favor
Of Senator M'Creery, Of kentucky. IL
Eas rejected with a unanimity rarely known in
american legislative history. The vote would in
licItc thar there was something radically wrong