New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-09-06
THE ALABAMAARB

The appointment of the arbitrators
under the Washington treaty for the ad-
| justment of the Alabama claims, it is
| believed, will now bring that vexed
question TO final and definite determine
ton. Notwithstanding the issue Of the
conference in the consummation of the
treaty, there are English journals that
hold out in opposition to the settlement
of this controversy, insisting that the
concessions were all on one side and
against the British interest. They still
hold to the idea that no wrong was done
to the people of this country by the Ala
bama raids upon our commerce, and
believe that the arbitrators will aim at
the conclusion, that there is nothing due
to us on that account They urge that it
is law suit; that nothing has been settled
by the late treaty, and that the affair for
them may not end SO badly. The argu-
ment is that the parties have commenced
an amicable litigation, and no one can
tell how it is to end. The wish is father
to the thought, and, like people who have
fancy for law suits and uncertain con-
tests, with their excitements and hopes
and fears, finding themselves worsted in
the strife, comfort themselves with abusing
the judges. These journals are not will
ling to yield to the decision Of the
commissioners. One of them says: =
Some people seem to have decided that
England stands already committed to the
payment of a sum of money; the amount of
which has only to be determined by the
tribunal. There are, however, no proper
grounds for such a conclusion, for even IN
der the new rules of International law, it is
possible that our side will offer full justiti-
cation for everything which the Americans
may allege in their bill of indictment.
These fallacious opinions, however,
have no force or effect when it is seen
from an examination of the treaty that
the whole case, so far as the liability of
England is concerned, is admitted and
settled by that contract, now ratified; and
that the very law in accordance with
which these claims are to be adjudicated,
is contained in the treaty itself
The masses of the English people are
not in sympathy with these malcontents,
who can not accept the situation, and
though it may add to the burdens which
are now borne by them, they are fully
satisfied that the decision of the commits
sion was right, and that their government
should discharge the demand created by
its wrongful neglect.
With Charles Francis Adams as cur
representative On the board of arbitration,
the interests of American claimants will
be maintained with frmness, and the char
acter and standing Of Mr.. Adams as gen.
tleman of probity and unblemished repu-
tation is such as to give assurance that his
influence will be felt by the other mem
bers of the board. 1t can not be that now
any further opposition will be made to the
nothing but ministerial duty to perform
in considering the nature and character Of
the claims which shall be presented to it
for adjustment. Doubtless, as in other
instances of similar national differences
arising out Of demands Of indemnity, there
will be many fraudulent and unjust |
demands made out and presented, but it
will not be difficult to discriminate be-
tween the false and the true, and a deci-
sion rendered accordingly.
The peaceful result attained by the
treaty and the Submission of the claims of |
our citizens to board of arbitrat0rs, in
the manner arranged by the joint commits
sion, was one of the most splendid tri-
umphs ever achieved in the history of |
and we'll deserves the enconi-
ums of the people Of all nations as another
movement Of the age millenial |
in spirit, and worthy of the two great ma
tons that inaugurated it. The Republi-
can party has cause for congratulation |
that it has brought to an end one of the
most delicate, trying and irritating sub
jects ever presented to an administration |
since the formation of this government, |
and that, too, without resorting to extreme |
measures.