Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-05-02
The Joint High Commission.

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ton between the United States and
Great Britain has not been of that
friendly character so mutually recip-
rocal previous to the last decade,
but the prospect of speedy and sat
isfactory settlement of national diff
ficulties seems to be more encourage
ing than at any previous period since
the opening Of diplomatic investiga-
tions. The most prominent question |
demanding the attention of the Joint |
Commission, is the Alabama diff
Guilty.
In the Spring OF 1861 the British
government acknowledged the South
ern Confederacy, ostensibly to pre-
vent British subjects from engaging
in the war, but really to aid and as
sist the rebellious States in their
struggle for independence. Minister
Adams protested against what he
very wisely considered a premature
acknowledgment Of the belligerent
character of the Southern States, but
all to no purpose. This was the BIO.
ginning Of the present catalogue of
difficulties. During the same year,
a number Of prominent Confederate
officials went over to England to
make arrangements for purchasing
or ordering ships for the purpose Of
preying on the United States COM
merce. The contract for the Aldbd
ma was let to Messrs. Laird and
Birkenhead, and in the Summer of
1861 she put TO sea, it is claimed by
British diplomats before the order
for her seizure rived said order
being accidentally detained some
where, but who was to blame for the
accident we are not informed. But
the AldJdma, Differed, manned arm
cd and equipped, escaped to the high
seas and began her work of destruc-
ton, and with the assistance of the
Shenandoah and other inferior crafts,
in two years more than two hundred
merchant vessels with cargoes val
ued at fifteen million dollars were
captured or destroyed, reducing the
commerce Of the United States two
thirds OF its original extent.
In October, 1868, Minister Adams
notified the British government of
the wholesale destruction of Amori-
can property by cruisers built and
fitted out in English ports, aud dc.
manded satisfaction for the same
suggesting the wisdom and proprie-
ty of submitting the matter to arb-
tration. But Lord Russell replied,
that England must be the guardian
other own honor" and disowned any
responsibility for the conduct Of the
vessels in question. After the close
Of the war, Mr.. Adams once more
presented the claims of the United
States against Great Britain for losses
sustained during the rebellion,
through the unfriendly conduct of
Her Majesty's government, with the
additional plea Of injustice in the
acknowledgment Of belligerent rights
Of the insurgent States. The Justice
OF the claim was emphatically reject
ed by Lord Russell, and communlca-
ton on the subject was brought to a
close, until Lord Stanly, in March
1867, opened the diplomatic discus
sion, by stating that the real qucs-
ton at issue was whether England
was morally bound to make good
the losses sustained by private Amer
lean citizens but refusing to enter
tain the question of "acknowled 9,
ment," negotiations were again sus-
pended; and ultimately the whole
matter of difference has been submit.
ted to High Joint Commission,
composed of prominent statesmen on
both sides of the Atlantic; and al
England has beeu gradually tanning
down in her hitherto lofty demean
or, the probability is that every ques
ton in dispute will be amicably set
tied, and all unpleasant and discord
ant feelings between the two nation
removed by a prudent adjustment o
difficulties.
The reciprocity treaty between
the United States aud Canada, abro
gated by the former government in
1866, will probably be restored by
the commission. The unrestricted
navigation Of the St. Lawrence anC
chain Of Lakes will come up for fna
adjudication, and also the question
Of national boundary alluded to by
the Presidents Message. 1t is GER
tainly very desirable that friendly
feelings should exist between the
two countries, and it would be much
better for either or both nations tc
yield little than to foster feelins
OF Antagonism at any time liable e
ripen into open hostlities. The ter.
riblo results attending and following
the late war in Europe ought e
teach civilization lasting lesson e
her profit. We trust that the time il
not far distant when all nations viii
learn TO settle political grievances il
a manner becoming the enlighten
ment of the age, and not after tn,
fashion of traditional barbarism. II