The Republican journal., 1871-04-20
The Alabama Claims.

If it be true, as reported from Wash
ington, that the Joint Commission now in
session there, has agreed upon the terms
of practical settlement of the vexed and
dangerous disputes between the United
States and England, the fact is matter
for congratulation. The conduct of Eng
land during the war of our rebellion was
without the shadow of an excuse, further
than can be found in the purely selfish
and indelensible one Of the destruction of
a commercial rival Our calamity was
held to be her opportunity, in furthering
which she went further than prudence die
tated, and oyerstepped the bounds of inter
national law The reckoning was care
fully kept and filed away for future use.
1t is said that the individual who treasures
up Il wrong and bides his time, is sure TO
find it--that sooner or later the oppor-
tunity for retaliation comes. This maxim
applies with much more force to the af-
fairs of nations, and to England who is
constantly in peril Of war in all quarters
of the globe. The existence Of n quarrel
with people like those of the United States
is specially hazardous And the beauty
and justice Of the application to England
of Il lesson that she had herself given
an invitation to drink from the cup that
she had held to our lips-would be every
where recognized. If she had 50 inter-
preted her laws, which are almost idcnti-
cal with ours, that piratical craft had been
let loose on our shipping-how could she
Justly complain when American built YES
sells carrying say the Russian flag, should
make ocean bontires Of her ships?
But, as we said, it is a matter for re-
.ioicing that an understanding has been
reached, and the disputes put upon the
route to Il settlement. The intlamed state
of the public temper in this country was
likely to be taken advantage OF for per-
sonal or party purpose, which might
plunge the countries into war We had
an instance OF this in 4 recent attempt of
Ben Buffers The next Presidential
election would be sure to bring out, iii the
heat Of partizan strife. a bitter discussion
OF this wrong, with perhaps the election
TO Congress or more prominent places,
of men conspicuous for hatred toward
England. The State of Name, especially,
with her extended sea coast and exposed
frontier, should rejoice nj the removal Of
Il cause of war which might transform
her soil into battle ground, to the de-
struction of her cities and lmpovcrishment
of her people.
1t is understood that the responsibility
of England for the cruisers that escaped
from her ports is fully admitted, and it is
agreed that such responsibility shall be
hereafter accepted as u political maxim
between the United States and Great
Britain, both these powers also pledging
themselves to make efforts for Il general
international acceptance of the same view.
The claims at present under consideration
are TO be submitted for verification and
auditing to new commission of five per-
sons-ono 10 be named by the President,
one by the Queen and one each respective
ly by the President Of Switzerland. the
king of Italy and the Emperor of Brazil.
These commissioners are to be sworn,
like jurors, that they have formed no pre-
vious immovable opinion and have no
preludices in the matter, but that they
will decide altogether upon the evidence
rs they receive it.