Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1872-04-11
goltifm.
John Bright en- the American


Case. -
When the cable reported the first out.
burst OF English indignation over the
public presentation OF the American
case, we were inclined to believe thai
much; of it was due, to a concerted eff
fort ON the part of interested PERSONS te
fstirup popular feeling. There is now
no doubt that this was to some extent
true, Mr.. Gladstone was among the
firstto.retraet Language used in the heat
of an excitement that was unquestion.
ably stimulated by the enemies of his
administration. And since his manly
disavowal ofhasty utterances, the'tone
of the English Press has gradually be-
come more moderate and conciliatory
toward Americans. aas 30
Bhtwe are not permitted 20 doubt
that there is in England an universal
feeling Of regret that the American case
was put in, and of determined opposi-
ton to the Submission of our claims for
consequential damages to the Geneva
Conference. As to this there is, so far
as we can learn, ne difference of senti-
menti among Englishmen, whatever
may have been their past feelings to-
ward Americans. John Bright is just
as sturdily opposed to the American
case as Mr.. Disraeli or Mr.. Gladstone.
This unanimity we are bound to reeog-
nize, consider, and respect, as we be-
lieve our government has done. The
views of such an old and steadfast
friend of America and American insti-
tutions as NJ. Bright are especially en-
titled to kindly hearing. -...t....
How he feels and what he thinks
map bevery clearly seen in letter re-
Gently addressed by him to one of ourcit-
liens, who has been for many. years
an unofficial Ambassador and peace
maker between the two countries, and
who has obtained Mr.. Bright's per-
mission to make public what was at
first written merely as private note.
The letter is dated at Rood odhale, on the
1st Of March, and is addressed to Mr..
Cyrus w. Field. ~ ''1.@ a-I -
Mr.. Bright writes: ssr
This trouble. about the treaty is very
unfortunate. think your letter adj
mirable, and hope it will do good in
the States, where presume it will be
published. ;..5ts7z3 .i.i...,f.. i.l6
1 confess 1 am greatly surprised at
the s'case' to be submitted to the Ge-
neya tribunal. There is too much of
what we call "attorneyship" in it, and
too little of craftsmanship" 1t is
rather like a passionate speech than a
thoughtful state document. And what
a folly to offer to Il tribunal claim which
cannot be proved. No facts and no fig
ures can show that the war was proIong-
ed by the mischief of the pirate ships.
And surely what cannot be proved by
distinct evidence cannot be made the
subject of an award. This country will
not go into q court to ask for an award,
which, ifagainstit, it will never accept.
An award against it, in the matter
of the indirect claims, will never be
paid, and therefore the honest course is.
to object now before going into court.
III has the coming Presidential election
ornemination anything to do with this
matter Or is Mr.. Summers view of
the dispute dominant at Washinnton?
| shculd have thought yeur govern
ment might; have said, stwe will not
press the claims objected to before the
Tribunal, but we shall retain them in
our case as historic evidence of our
sense of the magnitude of the grievance
OF which we complain ,4l m sV
This, dare say, would have satisfied
our government and people; and prac-
tically it would have satisfied every
reasonable man in the States. To such
as would not be content with it, friend
ship and peace would, in the nature of
things, seem to be denied. Iia.isl- I
~ Whatever may be the opinions of
Americans as to the validity of Mr..
Bright's arguments, no one on this side
of the ATLANTIC will question his SINGER
ity or attribute his present position to
mere national prejudice. He was our
friend in our time of trouble, and dealt
more staIwart blows in our behalf than
were given by any, other ,Englishman.t
What he says now will, therefore, be.
listened to by as with the greatest re-
spect, even by those who cannot agree
with him. .,.-. s,t,.,.,,,. ,-+.