The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-05-08

There Is good deal of anxiety In the
public mind just now to know what are the
Instructions OF Mr.. Motley, our newly-ap.
pointed Minister to the Court Of 81. James. |
We speak from degree of certainty when |
We say that the Instructions of our Minister
will comprehend in their scope and demands
the claims and principles set forth In the
clear, comprehensive and able speech Of Mr..
Sumner. To take anything less than this,
under the circumstances, would be to humil-
late ourselves before the British Government
and people. Mr.. Sumner has uttered the
sentiment and arm purpose Of the American
people. lie has said the word which touches
the American heart. We can no more back
dowl, as a nation, from what he has de-
clarcd than we can unsay the Constitution
itself and go back upon the first principles
of human liberty. The world would count
us a nation OF towards If We were pusillan-
imous enough TO abandon the counsels Of the
foremost statesman of the land in such an
hour as this, and attempt to make settle
mcnt upon any other grounds than the Just
and considerable propositions submitted by
the Massachusetts Senator.
If England Is not ready We c'1 walt. In
diyidual interests may suffer, but pational JUS
tce and honor cannot afford to succumb to
private and individual needs and necessities.
Mr.. sumner has spoken the true words at
the right time. lie has spoken the thoughts
that beat responsive In the American mind,
and he is In this great International difficulty
our representative man. This being the
patent truth before the minds Of all men, we
can have no other opinion than that the
President and the Secretary of State, seeing
this, will instruct Mr.. Motley to carry out the
wishes of the American people as expressed
in Mr.. Summers mastery and exhaustive
speech.
As we have said, We can wait till Mr.. John
Bull can come, as come he will, to his senses
In this particular case, and will desire to do
us Justice. In the meantime, Mr.. Mot
ley will present his credentials, and will
fl My adhere to his instructions, and
he can give Mr.. Gladstone to under
stand that the rejection of the Stanley
aud Johnson treaty by the United States
Senate was not on political grounds, as that
distinguished gentleman has intimatcd.
Mr. Motley will attend no banQucts, or /
he does on any occasion do this, he will maxi
no after-dlnner speeches. lie knows thu
purpose OF his mission, and he will fulfil Il
both in respect to the letter and the spirit
The United States to-day possesses the
power to present and enforce her demands
in all Instances where she Is In the right,
and to present and enforce them without
thrcatenings and without war.
Notwithstanding the national debt, tho
moral. political. commercial, and financial
power and strength of the United States was
never greater than today. This is apparent
There may be delay in the settlement OIL
the c Alabama claims-prObabiy there viii
be; but every hours delay damages Englan
more than II damages us-cvCry moment,
delay weakens and dcbilitatCs her. Gu
policy is TO ask what is right, and to FIRM
demand 1t, yet never under any preteXts no
from any considerations 70 forcGO to tn
extent Of one hairs breadth our Just d,
mands. Standing upon this ground lai
down in Mr.. Summers speech as our ultima
tum, we can wait. Great Britain cannot wal
because by her injustice she will reap in a
hour when she thinks not the fruits of til
evil seed which she has sowl. She Ia
sown to the wind, let her reap the whlr
wind. Mr.. Motleys position will be
strong one, as he will be backed up by
great nation whose cause Is lust.