Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-23
PUBLIC LEDGER
senator Summers speech ON the
Alabama Treaty.


ner, of Massachusetts,, gave notice seve-
raj weeks past that he intended making
a speech in opposition to the Alabama
treaty. The public was somewhat ex-
cited over the announcement, thinking
that the speech might be regarded as an
enunciation of the future policythat wonld
be observed by this Government in the
settlement of the Alabams claims with
Her Britanic Majesty. 1t was suffi-
Gent cause to start the war anew with
the bulls and bears on Wall street. In
fact, every one thought surely that some
thing was going to happen when Mr..
Sumner raised his bristles. But those
who know intimately the character of
this bitter denunciator of the South I'M
derstood full well that his intention was
only to create momentary sensation.
Sumner and his New England friends
have no idea of going to war with Great
Britain if it can be at all avoided. Their
entire fortunes consist in shipping and
manufactures, and the former would be
seriously if not fatally injured by col
lision with this great ocean power.
Should war break out between this
country and Great Britain, 1t would re-
auire about sixty or ninety days only for
England to sweep the commerce of the
United States entirely from the seas.
That this Government has strong ships
and able sea captains cannot be doubted,
but England has a stronger and more
numerous navy. While blood would be
fosing, the iimid thing Of commerce
must seek more secure parts than
on the high seas. bristling with
mighty guns ready to send forth deadly
missiles that would consign il to q rest
ing place beneath the ocean waves The
stake 10 be played for, in war, between
the two powers, is rather risky on the
part Of the Radical Government Ii
might, and without doubt would, lose
much larger sna than ], claims to have
lost y the depredstions Of Confederate
cruisers. With Yankee, at all times, il
ia 8 dollar and cent business. The fret
question asked vnes called upon to act
is how much money will il cost to get
indemni6cation for the losses BIZ the
English aud Confederate cruisers. so
called. Then, IL the conclusion reached
land without doubt it vouId) be that the
cost will amount to more than the profits
gained, why they will content themselves
in making large swelling speeches and
threats, as Mr.. Sumner did against Great
Britain.
The Massachusetts Senator feels very
angry yet at Her Brittanic Majesty 8
Government for having recognized the
belligerent rights of the Confederate
Government. That, we must say, is
quite strange in reason. We would
simply ask Mr.. Sumner whether or not
his own Government was not compelled
to recognize the belligerent rights of her
rebel sister-the Confederacy, so-calied
We think it was, although holding out
the idea that we we're nothing more than
rebels. The repeated conferences be
tween the Lincoln Government and the
Jefferson Davis Government. on thu
subject Of peace attest the fact !
not so, how would the truly loyal Gov
eminent Of the United States dare hole
intercourse with traitors for moment
Then again, was there not cartel fol
the exchange Of prisoners agreed upoI
during the war If we we're not de fact
government and capable Of treating witt
our enemy, why take the parole Of sol
diers, and why was it that the leaders o
the rebellion were not all hung for trea
son after the WARP Mr.. Sumner shoul,
certainly excuse foreign Government
for what his own Government did el
dctly on the same occasion.
The gentleman from the Plymout
Rock country says again that the onl
justification that England and the otht
powers ef the world put forth for th
recognition Of Confederate belligerer
rights was, that President Lincoln unde
took to proclaim blockade Of The reb
ports, and says By the use Of this woI
"blockade" the congestion is vindicste
and on this technically England ham
her defense. Yes, aud upon that tee
nicsliiy, Mr.. Sumner, ifyou are incline
to call it so, England and the bAlan
Of the world can sfford to stand al
Justify their action in this matter.
blockade is state Of war, although q
ports blockAded be in possession
rebels. This state Of war comes under q
laws Of nations, and concerns the RICH
Of neutrals ss well as those Of belli
erents. Il is very evident to eve
one that there could be no bloc
ade- without war, and a war presu
poses two belligereuts TO IT, This ever