The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1869-05-11
The @e9ister.
TUESDAY, MAY II, 1869.
Mr. MOIleN,s Mission.

Mr.. Motley's Mission.
1t Is seldom that n minister goes to a
friendly power in n time of profound
peace through the civilized world,
charged with q more delicate mission
than is Mr.. Motley at this time. 1t is
usually supposed that he is equal to the
emergency, and we presume his in
structions are of kind to induce mod
Grafton and caution. He Is not only to
meet the the ordinary exigencies of in
ternational relations, but has also n
special mission. The Alabama claims
are yet unsettled, and the British gov
eminent, at all times jealous and SEN
sitive, is especially 80 at this time from
the rejection, by our Senate, of the
Characterization treaty for the set
Element of claims, which was rejected
with a unanimity which leaves no
chance for equivocation or doubt as to
our position. 1t was, in fact, an en-
phatic endorsement of Senator Sum-
ner's speech on that subject. 1t must
not be considered strange if England
declines, at present, to renew negotia-
tons. That speech eXcites great deal
of comment and some bad blood, and
no one will be surprised that it is so.
The London Times, says on the eth
inst. that England endeavored to do
justice to all parties during the late re-
bellion, and must decline to acknow-
ledge any other motive for her action"
And yet that is a denial of the very
charge made in Mr.. Summers speech,
charge which we cannot but believe
is we'll founded. While offering to sub
nit to arbitration individual claims for
damages, the more important consider
alton of the true grounds of complaint
are entirely overlooked, or, rather,
"dodged.o When the rebellion first
broke out, while yet undeveloped, and
before the government had had time to
make its first move for the crushing
of the monster, before our representa-
tive had been able to reach England
the British government made haste to
recognize the Confederacy as "belig-
erent," upon sea and upon land, pro-
claiming neutrality, which in itself was
unfriendly, but which was never main
tanned. All through our terrible strug-
gle, England manifested an undisgused
sympathy for the Confederacy, aided
the rebels in every possible manner,
with munitions of war, provisions,
cruising vessels, even supplying under
covert, seamen for the pirates which
preyed upon our commerce and drove
1t from the seas. In Mr.. sumner :
speech these statements are made with
out equiVocation. In refusing to ratify
the treaty because no apology or repair
alton is proposed, the statement is re-
affirmed. This position is approved by
the American nation, but it, no less,
embarrasses our representative in Lon
don. The English newspapers claim
that extravagant misrepresentation
furnish the basis for such policy as i.
III MI. SptccIl
and conclude that the policy will prove
failure. We do not allow the truth
of this assertion, and we ask and expect
an early settlement of the difficulties
Comparatively few are willing the mat
ter should continue an existing griev
ance, a perpetual subject of rancor, ;
snare for all future time, ready to ris'
up at any time and plunge Us in for
eign war. We desire friendly relations
with Great Britain, though not at tn,
sacrifice of the principles involved il
this issue I he whole burden of tn
negotiation now rests with Mr. Motley
Whether he will be able to effect al
that we desire il quite uncertain. I
certainly cannot he accomplished with
out judiciousness and firmness, and W
hope Mr.. Motley possesses these quail
ties in an eminent degree