Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1870-01-21
Briii,h Honor and the Alabama Claims.


Republic shall come into the Union, if at all
a. a territory and not as State
Briikh Honor and the Alabama tlaims.
The temper in which Lord Clarendon and
the British Cabinet approach the discussion
of the Alabama question is not favorable to
an early settlement. In his official note 10
Mr. Thornton announcing the receipt Of Sec
retary Fish dispatch, and in the informal
reply to that dispatch. there are evidences Of
an unfortunate obliquity Of vision On the
part Of the British Foreign Secretary, which
prevents a clear perception Of the case. He
does not come TO the main question. but dis
. putes over secondary issues and bubbles upon
the Secretary rhetoric He dwells at great
lens,a upon the Queen proclamation Of
belligerency. upon the damage done TO ou-
commerce by the rebel privateers, and upon
Other matters Of this sort. - the neglect Of
the main issue-the escape OF the Alabama.
And after reading hi- dispatche- enc is az q
loss TO saw whether 1t is Amer or Great
Britain that is the injured party. Lord
Clarendon does not seem 70 have found out
vet
At the close of his first note % Minister
Thornton. Lord Clarendon protests the viii
iugne-s Of Great Britain to make any settle
men: consistent with her honor This is
refreshing bur not fresh. The main obstacle
to a settlement Vi the question has ever been
British honor The exceedingly inc
character of that commodity is well known.
Tbs ideal John Bull is AZ chivalric as the
ideal s)utherncr Now confession of guilt
IN suffering the Alabama u be fitted cut
would be Illuminating to what Lord Claren-
don calls British honor The guilt is unmi--
taxable the Queens Government daTe not
denv It. and vet they lack the courage To man
fully acknowied-e it. s. the question hangs
in suspense
There is a false znd true hono- and the
distinction Is the same IN the case Of nations
an or individuals. The truly honest man
se9rns 20 conceal a fault which be has. Jr
mistake which he mas committed The man
Of hlse honor shrinks from the apparent
sel-numiliation involved IN az acknowledee-
rnen- OF gult. a true sentiment Of honor
in state ever demands the Tromp, correc-
ZION al an injustice and readiness 70 atone
tl- any injury An unhealthy notion of
self respect IN q STATE. is tha- which never
c1aies-es an error. and coes - wa- with
perverted idea VI national dignity. Which
KIND 4 honor is shown by tine British olT-
eminent 10 permitted rri7ateers - behtted
11t ia ..s ports a-ain-t the United States.
and thereby violated the rules d.. nterna-
t.1ual comfy. ID. own HunicIpa. law. and
the law a nations We call uulu Great
Britain fr satisfaction and are me- with
preyaucau5a, re-aio--in-. and Jae plies a.
British honor" To sac average Ea-.sa
mind the way TO preserve the honor Of urcat
Britain may be 70 resoiutely persist 10 an c--
r5-. and refuse L. ackn5wieise and atone
fl-lt. To the ordinary human understand
ING there would De nothing humLAune '-
di-h1nl-a5le in O frank and sincere c1nte--
sion bv Great Britain Of thc --ieglu- wrong
she did US LIS true taa- uat5n- d. 10,
often conduct taeir affair BE- taI- way. and
England will not inaucura:e tae practice.
Tie intelligence IS announce -aa, all te.e-
graphic message are hsreafr- 90 be- written ir
English This will be gratifying 90 a.. u1t'r,u-
nate editors whose vocation requires them 60
vo-s iuto al iuteIzas form the eui-nsticA.
and laoouurcaeus.be dispatches of some Of tse
associated press reporters.
Inc other dsy the literary vor.l openei i.'
sves do astouishmeut 81 the word % unilspri7s-
oieI There is reason for further expansion.
Prof d. Fsat. u Harvard, has JUS, ASSURE us
IN one U bis lectures, that the evolution Of pai-
.osor-r. whatever else IL may be- a continuous
process G.. 90 leluthropomo-phi-au-r
Ia- Boston Journal .ays. henry Ne.Aus
vino murdered Mr.. Berry Russell. q Hinesburs
g.. more ta=u year age. VII be- hung ou
Friday. tne lis, lnstan, whie1 i= very
remote appro1imstoa 70 the truth. What short
# hanging doe. she reporter deserve VII. IN
hrss lines. murders TWO men names and nna'-
= sends one Of then 60 the sola5id over year
Ieiosc he Is due
The Virginia bill as anAi.y passed by ;-s j
House We victory fo- the moderate Rspubl- G
ans anu defect ic- the extremists The bill b
vas uassei d ugh The able management Of 4
le-srs. bingham aud FArnsvo-,h. ana provides g
OF ;ha uncouditional admission of Virginia. The
.epubHcau vote Wa abou, equally divided
ali Of them prafsrrinr more extreme measure. 81
-b.le the Democrats al yotei for II As choice Of
wills The Senate nov mas N opportunity 90 e.
CT upon the BIZ. The moderation which tae s.
Iouse mas shown 20 Virginia is creditsb.e 60
la, body sni il is 10 be nopei that 10 VI. u
OF be met, as IT Va. by Georgia, with perdiv II
nj treaohery p
It is curious coincidence that Will, the FREE -
-ade osuse appears TO be gaming strength IL
bis country. ID England protection i again
caring lis head Inc movement Of the English
Is strong enough to excite the ~
-aru Of John Bright. and he mas felt called
pom III MS recent speeches TO denounce It II the
% and effective manner The Saturday Re- "
io- admits that the battle must be fought over II
-ain IN EnEland
Among the bills introduced Ia the House on
lesiay We md one by Mr. prosssr o. Tennes- ne