New-York tribune., 1872-05-22
THE ALABAMA BLUNDER.
THE SUPPLEMENTARY TREATY.

The SUPPLEMENTARY lhEAlI l.
ITS DISCUSSION PosTFOSED-AN EXTRA SESSION
OF THE SENATE TO BE CALLED FOR THAT
PURPosE-sPEECH OF MR.. BUTLER IN THE
HoUsE-HE OPPOSES THE ADDITIONAL ARTI-
Gle AS A DIsGRACEFUL ABANDONMENT OF
OUR JUST CLAIMS.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUHB
WASHINGTON, May 21.-The action taken In the
House yesterday on the adjournment resolution,
has made it necessary for the Senate to change its
order of business for the remainder of the present
session. 1t had been decided to 60 into Executive
session at 10 o'clock tomorrow, and to continue
until the Supplemental Treaty matter was disposed
Of. II this programme should be carried out, much
of the necessary legislation of the session would
necessarily fail. A number of leading Administra-
ton Senators held consultation to-day therefore,
and agreed that it would be necessary to postpone
the Treaty debate until after the adjournment of
Congress, when the President viii call the Senate
together in extraordinary session.
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs agreed,
this morning, to report the Butler resolution calling
upon the President for information with regard to
the alleged statement of Sir Stafford Northcote that
q promise had been made to the British Commits
sioners that no claims for indirect damages should
be made by this Government. The Committee agreed
to report this resolution solely for the purpose
of giving Mr.. Butler an opportunity Of making
II
day that Mr.. Butler intended to take this oppor
tunity to abandon the denomination party, and that
he would assa the Administration for its attempted
surrender to Great Britain. There was of course
no truth in the story, but it helped TO secure
for him larger audience than usually at
tends evening sessions. He did not say a
word against the Administration but was
exceedingly severe upon the supplemental article to
the Treaty, which he characterized disgraceful
abandonment of the just claim Of the United States
for reparaton for the injuries and insults imposed
upon them by Great Britain. The speech was obyi-
ously carefully prepared. He read it from manu-
script, occupying nearly an hour in its delivery
The speech was substantially as follows:
He said he had felt II his duty to bring the resolution
the answer Of the President would show one OF two
things, either that tho uterances Of Sir Stafford North
bee Isreported or misconceiyed that Honorable
Commissioner on tho part of Great Britain was wholly
inaries ~ the negotiation Of the Washington Treaty.
had wholly misconceiyed them, as wen as the motives
and acts OF the American Government ana had there
fore msed his countrymen by statement tending TO
stir up strife between the two countries He Cr Butlen
ment Of Sir Stafford Northcote was wholly wrong,
in whatever way 10 was taken. be argued
ages were excluded from tho Treaty OF Washington.
then the Johnson Treaty was as inclusive and
extensive as ana II that were the case was not
suppOsable that the Senate which had unanimously
re would
other The question brought home to the American
nation was how this demand OF Great Britain 10 with
draw from the Treaty should be met III this Govern
for consequential damages, the Government
should SP and aa% %ny s fRa m @
error and retrace its steps gracefully possible. But
should not do covertly. OF two such lessons, why for
get the nOber and the maner one.p We should say for
the United states in this matter what Napoleon said for
his nation, france never hegoIates e y uler threat.
Should not say 10 Great Britain Your course leaves
us no alternative You did not appeal to our sense OF
right but to fears, and between us there can be no
further covenant" a..
dlcaton by the British Ministry OF the supplementary
article which, II the American senate would agree TO,
Her Most Gracious Majesty would accept MI schenck,
ne said had declined 10 comment upon it, but he (Ar.
Butler would take the liberty OF doing So and OF char
ment could retreat (he had the word "skulk" IN his
manuscript from its positions - ,,
It had been said that il did not adopt this supple
mentary article would not he able TO borrow money
in England in Europe Was 1t necessary, he asked
order to be able to borrow money at usuryi If any
honorable action could prevent any further placing Of
cur obligations abroad, by which interest was TO be
paid to foreign countries, leaving us in con
dition worse than the Irish tenant who paws rent
He knew that banks, and merchants and capitalists
pressing on the Senate the adoption OF th supple
~, ss n1Jer fhe influence of British gold worse than
ever was charged even under the most slashng article
OF a newspaper editor who was now PRESIDENTIAL can
He asked which OF the nations could best stand the
injury OF our national credit by failure OF the Treaty
me American people with s0OO000,00O Of British money
In their pockets the British people with S0OOW0OOO
OF our bonds IN their safe. III the Treaty were lost
would there be war1 Not unless chose TO make IT,
and we have occasion 10 make IT, We could take care
of ourselves and leave them TO take care OF themselves,
and treat them as man does any other fahess and un-
friendly neighDor-leave them severely and smartly
alone II we did lose the Treaty, we would gam the
commerce of the great lakes got back fisheries
get back the right say to England: You have made
no rcparation and to 1t that you, the pirate OF
tons, keep the peace hereafter"
Mr. Banks made q few remarks, in which he ex
pressed bis disbelief in resulting from failure Of
the Treaty.