Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-04-21
Aaftsmm' 5ourud.
CLEARFIELD, PA. APRlL2l, ist9

The Alabama Treaty-sumner's Speech,
Senator Sumner made his long expected
report upon the Alabama treaty, in execu
tive session on Tuesday. April 18th, and ac-
companied 1t with forcible and convincing
speech, TO which the Senate gave very earn
est attention. Senator Summers main OBJ
je :tions to the treaty are briefly: That the
treaty did not rise To the dignity o. tie
questions involved-,hat it only proposes
the settlement of the claims of private indi-
viduals, while proper treaty on the sub
jects should consider the insult anil injury to
our national severe gnty-;hat American
commerce hal been driven from the sea
that the dangers from British pirates and
consequent ir:raaSed rates .. insurance had
changed the trade from American vessels to
the English or those oi neutral uations-
that our ships had rottcl at their wharves-
that our ship yards had been idle, al d trade
IN all its branches had been depressed by
England ; action-that the loss 10 the ship
ping interest alone had been more than one
hundred miIlons-tiiat by England recog-
nizing the retcis as bcliserents the war had
been prolon.cf 1T the cost of much treasure
and many precious lives-lnl hence the
mere pay meut for the few ships deStroy,d
by pirates could not settle the matter Mr.
Sumner Left nothing to be desired in the
way of a clear exposition of the merits of
the case as seen from the American stauu-
point. No one pretending to a knowledge
of the sentim ,nts Of the people generally
will pretend to say that he did not set forth
the views of the reaecting portion OF the
nation. There never was an interference
on the part of oue nation III the affairs of
auothe 80 utterly uniustitisble as the course
OF England towards the United States dur
ing our late conflict of arms. The rebellion
was the natural outgrowth Of, and had for
its object the maintenance Of barbaro,,s
institution be4ueathed TO Us by Great Brit
ain, and hence her coarse, whether viey1d
from a moral or International standpoint,
must strike the impartial observer as unwar.
rantaole and without excuse. and not To he
aijudlcated by the simple payment Of
ee tain sum of money for SO many ships,
but that, in addition, she is entitled to make
satisfactory reparatlon tor her infractun of
her international obligations. Mr. Sumner's
speech Was pacific throughout aud he was
eomplImentei by the entire Senate VI on
closing his remarKs-with one exception
which indicates that that body desires the
settlement of the differences between the
two nations to be made in spirit of arnity,
and free from all prejudice and passion.
That Mr.. Summers speech was in accord
with the trne sentiments of the Senate of
the United States. it is only necessary to
state that after lis close the Alabama treaty
was defeated by the enormous vote of 54toI
And the rejection of the treaty ny such de-
clsive majority IN the Sc iatc is the severest
rebuke that Mr.. Seward, Beverly johnson,
and Andy johnson could possibly receive,
and the strongest assurance that President
Grants administration viii be marked by a
strong foreign pUlicy-that there will be no
more trucking to, nor lowering of our ma
tional flag to the whims of England. But,
potwi bstanding this almost unanimous ac
ticn OF the Senate in rejecting the treaty, it
does not necessarily follow, as some timid
persons are wont 20 believe that we are on
the point of declaring war against England,
or that war will ultimately be the result, but
merely shows that we know our rights and /
that we are ready to maintain those rights /
that the honor of the nation. As well as the /
questi n of doll as and cents, mus, be tax !
en- irto consideration in the settlement of
the Alabama claims. That's all