The New York herald., 1869-05-12
FROM QUA LONDON CORRESPONDENT.

FROM our LONDON CORRESPONDENT.
Senator Summers speech in England-Ths
Alabama Claims Distinctly Stated to the
English PeopIe-What the Recognition o.
the South Meant.
LONDON May l, 1863.
Senator Sumner has set all England ablaze. AL
though the text OF his great speech which arrived
here three days ago. has been carefully withheld
from the people, the summaries published by OF
two journals and the comments in which all tht
papers indulge have conveyed to the general mind
vivid idea OF the substance OF his argument, anc
every body feels though some great crisis were a
hand. The excitement indeed, is but little less in
tense than that which marked the first breaking ou
OF the American rebellion, and everywhere-a
the clubs, in the hotels and taverns Change an0
on street tcorners-tne Alabama claims form the lead
ing topic Of conversation. Even Ireland is tempo
rary lost sight OF in the absorbing interest of this
dangerous International dispute. and although
events OF the gravest significance are transpring in
that unfortunate portion OF the United Kingdom,
they scarcely elicit word Of comment. The Mayor
OF Cork. presiding at a Fenian banquet, extos
O'Farrel. who shot at and wounded the young
Prince in Australia, as 'nobe lrishman" as
thoroughly imoued with patriotic feelings as were
Larkin. en- and OBrien, ana his remarks
pass unnoticed. Every day an irish landlord
Is shot down like wolf. and the people
OF England scarcely heed the intelligence. The
thorn in their western side pricks deeper and deeper
but they scarcely feel lis sting, so absorbed they
in the danger that to threaten them from the
other side Of the Atlantic.
1t Is not too much TO say that the Alabama ques-
ton now presents Itself for the first time in Its true
light TO the British people They haze never hereto.
fore seen or understood the position in which they
stand towards the American nation. In the early
days Of the rebellion 1t was known that Eng.
he
south, ana the action OF the government
was accepted as a matter OF course, and
scarcely voice was ssraised against it. With pro-
badly single exception the English press treated
the RECOGNITION as an uncontested right Of the Bril-
tlsd government, and the fact that t had been for
maly protested against by the American Minister
that It Was accompanied by treachery and iasehood
the English people. 1t was known at subsequent
period that pratcal vessels had been built, armed
ports TO seize and burn American ships on
the high seas; but 1t was not understood that
in London HAD protested in vain against tins viola
ton OF England's neutrality: had supplied the
British Ministry with proof OF the character and de-
signs OF the prtes and had only met with insulting
replies from Lord Russell and insoient treatment
the hands OF every subordinate Official with whom
his attaches were brought In contact. When the
beiiion was suDdued anu peace restored the assassi
nation OF Mr. Lincoln aud the subsequent political
turmoil In the United states caused the
Alabama question to be for o long time
overlooked. and wnen 1t was revived 1t was
placed before the English people merely a matter
OF individual damages TO be set on against the
claims OF Confede ate bondholders and other similar
a; demands ma growing out Of Englands
For the 6rst time then, we may say, the speech OF
Senator sumner, which, IN lact embodies the voice
OF the whole American people, teaches the mass OF
Engiishmen that the Alabama question Is one OF the
greatest national importance and that the parties TO
nations. The mere item OF the depredations com.
mited by the Alabama and other private ships
Of the incidents connected with an issue that
must be settled, peaceaoy or by the nrbtrament of
war between two great Po GERS. Wnen the rebellion
drst broke out and there were rumors afoat In Eng
land that the recognition OF southern belligerency
was contemplated by the British government, Mr..
Dallas sought an interview with Lord Russell, called
these rumors To his attention. and demanded TO
know whether there was any foundation for them TO
rest upon. Ihe reply OF Lord Russell was at
inquiry in more pressing terms. he stated
TO Mr.. Dallas that the British govern
ment had OF considered the question beligerency
adding that it would be highly indecorous and
proper 10 come to any decision, or even TO discuss
Minister then accreaited TO the british Court I
by the new American administration Not long
alter this disc lsslon news came TO Eng
land OF Southern successes, highly colored In ac.
cordance with the wishes or the English nation and
then, before the arrival OF Mr.. Adams, Southern
beliigetency was recognized by the English
government. The judgment upon thus act
pronounced In advance by Lord Rus
long list OF wrongs, that the people OF England viii
now have to consider the so-called Alabama ques-
ton, and that the British government Will be called
upon to answer for ITS acts TO the nation 1t wronged
and would have destroyed. Nor Will the attempt OF
the English linpllcafe France at all better
their own Tne complaint that America de.
mands satisfaction vi England aud leaves France
alone would be undignifed aud unreasonable under
any circumstances; but when we remember that
France ntted out Aabainas or gave other
rial aid to the rebels becomes absurd The assertion
often made Is that France desired to induce Eng
land to recognize the southern conlederacy as an
established government. and credit IL claimed for
England by leading journal because sne did not
'lhrow her sword into the scaer against the Amer-
can government But mere tyro in politics Will
know that Whatever might nave been Englands dis.
a1a dlH mt tn AT thQ rA
against the republic IN any hour OF the American
beyion. She would In such an event. have found
her battle ground on the plains and In the mountain
barriers of rand, while the surging OF the English
masses themselves would nave shaken the founda-
II will be seen that the general tone OF the London
press In response to senator summers speech is de.
cdedy oeiigersnt. some OF mem en- aam. ,ne errors
nounce what they call the new demands" or Amer.
lea as prepos.erous and nadmissibe. IL must be
remembered that these are now administration or.
gans and while compelled to denounce, as they have
formerly done the scandaous policy Of Lord Russell,
ont ont Of 't an awkward diemma BY endessorina to
moderate the views OF the American governments
But the impression among the people u tnat WITH
under any conceivable circumstances and that any
demands that may be made Will be scceded TO
majority OF those VINO converse on the subject OF the
complication, ana the greater portion OF the press
persuade themselves that when the matter resolves
user again into diplomatic negotiation be-
msen ,or d., rne two governments the American posi-
uVn sn VII DC found 10 be much more moderate,
the sumner speech would indicate, there are not
lew VINO believe that President Grant has resolved
upon u,s,,,ngusnng MS term OF Office by the practi
cal establishment OF the Monroe doctrine a. IL Ia
called, and tnat he courts a war with Fnglani az
tue bodies, and surest step towards driving every
vestge OF European ownership from the American
side OF the Atlantic outside Of s politicai sanect
there Is no question as 70 the effect OF Senator sum
British spectators, the Confederate cotton
loan bondhoders They are In despair. The
American Turtle Eater" as the HERALD Ssnn,sIr great eat
signates Reverdy Johnson, had raised their hopes to
the seventh heaven, and they looked forward In
nothing less than cent per cent for the money they
Invested In the rebel cause. Now they are again
plunged int missry; for they see that they cen