Middletown transcript., 1869-06-05
The Alabama Chains.

have originated nearly all the wars that
have afflicted our race, Patriotism,-love
of country, pride of country-is q good
thing. when idulged in moderation; but,
when il arrays men in aniagonistic factions,
and fosters within them antagonistic feel
ings, causing them to forget that they are
Of one common brotherhood +; when it TO
ments i'll blood and strife between nations,
setting men by the ears and causing them
to slaughter each other, its character is
changed, and instead of being a good thing
il becomes positive evil. If reason could
have fair play, and mems passions were
not permitted to warp their better judg-
ment, they would be better able to perceive
the truth and discern the right in all in
ternational questions, as well as affairs
between individuals. Generally speaking,
there is a modicum of right and wrong on
both sides, or, in familiar parlance,
:. there are two sides to every question"
But, If our love of country or our prejudice
will let us see but one side, why of course
we shall not be able to arrive at correct
conclusions, and we are as likely to be in
the wrong as in the right. The Alabama
question, it strikes US, is somewhat in this
category. A furor of excitement has
sprung out Of it, on both sides of the At
lantic, and much empty vaporing and
staggering has been the result but it is
already subsiding, and there is not the re-
motest probability of war. The speech of
Mr.. Sumner, followed by the rejection of
the Johnson-Stanley treaty, and that by
the rant of Senator Chandler, and the bel
lieose tone of the Radical press, very ma
turally ruffled the not very amiable tenn
per Of Mr.. Bull and he is by no means
in very good humor. We think the
position Of the two countries may be fa-
miliarly illustrated in this wise: Brother
Jonathan having pulled off his coat and
shaken his fist under Mr.. Bulls nose, the
latter begins to roll up his sleeves and put
himself in defensive attitude. Whercat
Brother Jonathan puts on his coat and
says that he didn't mean anything. Mr..
Bull, not easily appeased when his ire is
once kindled, still shakes his head and
grumbles at prodigious rate. He can
not wholly excuse or justify himself in the
matter Of the Alabama, but he deals Bro
ther Jonathan some home thrusts as an
offset to the latter's charges of dereliction
against him in permitting that vessel to &C
to sea to prey upon American commerce
He points to the affair of the steamer Car.
oline, an American steamer which conveyed
men and munitions Of war to the Cana
dian insurgents during the Mcleod rebel
lion. He points to the Fenian raids intt
Canada, more recently, which hostile DEM
onstrations were organized in and marched
from this-country. And lastly, he point
to the various expeditions which are being
fitted out here against Cuba, and triumph
antly asks what right has Brother Jona
than to vaunt his injured innocence after
such conduct as this-what right has h
to claim indemnity for the spoliations o
the Alabama, when he has refused indem
nifty or apology for the acts of the Caro-
line, and for the raids into Canada durini
the Mcleod rebellion, and during tn
later Fenian difficulties? He consented
however, for the sake Of peace and at tn
earnest solicitation of this government
through Mr.. Secretary Seward and MI
Minister johnson, to refer all such qucs
tions. now pending between the two gov
ernments, to joint commission for Sc
Element. But Jonathan got into one
his high tantrums, and refused to ratil
such an agreement. after first seeking i
Whereat Mr.. Bull told him, not very p,
litely, that he might go to the -
Jonathan wont 60 to that unmentionab
parsonage, but has decided to go again
Mr.. Bull, through his servant.Mr. Motle.
and with blandcr aspect try his hand on,
more at chaffering. since by bullying l
has discovered there is chance Of gettin
- Inorekieks than coppcrs."
Sack is tho present aspect of this bus
ness. The unprejudiced mind has sec
that there is modicum of right on Dol
sides. Both have claims for injuries ar
grievances sustained at the hands of IL
other. A treaty was entered into to sc
tie these grievances by arbitration, b
that treaty was rejected, after the fooli
speech of the Massachusetts dcmagogu
and what have We gained by this injut
eisus course? Why, we have found ou
selves ia false and untenable positi