Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-02-14
Our Washington LclLcr.


mont Of the Alabama Claims, has utterly failed
TO produce amy corresponding excitement in Off
cial or political circles here. 1t has indeed pro-
ducod lively ripple upon the surface, by excit-
ing a surprised curiosity at the spontaneous com
bustion in the English mind, but no grave
lapprohen-ons as to the result. With the assem-
| bling Of tho Geneva Conference and the prcscu-
tition Of the American claims, England obtained
a nearer and moro enlarged view Of the cnormity
Of her oncnsc and her responsibility therefor, and
| it is not to be wondered at that she starts back
alrighied. The occasion Of thisanusiug attempt
to get up roar by the British lion whose voice
has OF late years grown thin and querulous, is
the presentation before the tribunal Of arbitration
/ by the American government, Of general claim
/ for consequential damages growing out Of the uu-
/ friendly action Of England towards this country
during the rebellion. The fact is not questioned
/ by either side that the dcprodatons OF the Ala
hama and other cruisers are among the least
items &C actual damage inflicted upon us during
/ tho late war by England Not only were our
merchantmen robbed and burned upon the high
sens By war vessels built for the purpose in Brit
i.h dock yords-nrmed with British ordnance md
manned by British seamcn, but in consequence
thereof our merchant marine was driven from the
seas and our entire carrying trade thrown into
the hands of British ship owners, to the utter
ruin Of private interest and the great damage Of
our commercial prosperityas o nation The dam
age to our commercial interests was by no means
the greatest injury inflicted The hopes OF rccog-
milton and interference constantly held out by
England, sustained the courage and energy Of
the c1nlederacy, and prolonged the war at least
two yclrs During the last two years Of the ro-
ho0n we were actually fighting England, not
only on the sea- but on the land Wherever the
rebel hordes were encountered, they were found
clad in British cloth. armed with British guns,
and supplied with British ammunition. Despite
our blockade, which should have been respected
by an honorubie and friendly power, fast sailing
blockade runners. fitted out and frerhtcd for the
purpose carried on immensely profitable COM
merce with the rebels. furnishing them with war
material in exchange for confederate bonds and
cotton.
That England is morally responsible for tho
consequences of all these acts. is not questionable
Whether she is legally responsible in damages.
under the operation of international law has been
submitted by our government to the Board pro.
vidod by the recent treaty. Thereupon. England
herself attempts to assume the character both Of
+ party to the controversy, and Judge and de-
nounce- the claim in the language Of her Prime
Minister, uttered on Wednesday last in Parlia-
mcnt, as prcpostcr0us and absurd " while press
and people declare that they will refuse to abide
J by the treaty, and risk the preierment Of tho
q claim ON our part at the lannon's mouth We
propose to submit the question Of rcsporstihty.
as well as the amount Of damages, TO the court.
She denies her responsibility, and threatens To
ignore the treaty if it is insisted upon. opine
+ TINT il ,.,U bc insisted r,or and tb,, aror ,t,
'F'''' anu '"'' "'''i "'v
BRUSH buster has exhausted ITS rage England
will be quite as anxious TO submit to the decision
Of the Board of Arbitrntors as Size was for their
.r;.,;,.,l o,.,,,i,t,ro,+
..i...,'-
Inc attitude assumed here by the officials more
~ "a nHN