The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-22

damage the country has never recovered.
In 1850. two-thirds Of the commerce OF
America was carried In American bot
toms. In 1863 threc-fourths had been
transferred 10 English registers.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
The injury thus inflicted took shape
after the war in what Is known az the
Alabama claims: were adjusted upon a
principle formulated by this government,
accented by the English government and
placed at fifteen and a half millions by
the Geneva Award. for losses indicted by
The Alabama Florida, and Shenandoah
alone
one hundred and eight other ships were
destroyed. the loss Of which may be
placed at five millions. but for which no
DAMAGE WAS recovered.
II is needless TO say that the principle
which governed the Alabama claims, and
the award made Hereunder. though per-
haps applicable 10 the United states and
Great Britain In future wsrs, was not
NJ the time, Is not now. and never VIII
be a principle Of international Law, ana
the rights Of bellieerent to obtain ships
unarned and without a crew, from neu-
tral nation. stll exists.
/ have endeavored briefly. and with
scant Justice 10 put before you the II
remediable obstacles that forbade the
creation OF an effective navy for the
Confederate States. / have sought 10
break the ground rather than tell IL, Tor
the future discussion of particular en-
gagemcnts.
Perhaps with the king, in Aexander's
feast. we have
Fought all our battles DER again;
And thrice we routed all our foes; ana
thrice We Slew the SLAIN
BE this as It may. the past is a sealed
book. and irreversible-its tragic mem
cries live with US and bid us hand to the
youth OF our land. the glorious history
OF our state. the valiant manhood OF its
men.
This old Commonwealth. whose history
IS briefly summed in the title, Mother or
States and statesmen, by agreement OF
oplnion stands easily first in the roll of
warriors and statesmen she has given 10
the nation. In the beginning OF TINS
government, when the differences OF IN
depreciation In its organic law gave rise
10 the two parties, FedeIaiist and Re-
publican. she gave as leaders to the
one. a Washington. marshall, 10 the
other, a Jefferson.
When. after sixty years OF conflict
OF opinion, ttat stirred the nation TO aus
depths-looking IN vain for that justice
| I'm the union of right, our heritage, we
| submitted these questions to the arbi-
trament Of the sword She gave as
leaders. to the North, a Ferragut ana d
| Thomas. to the South, "A Lee ana JACK
| son. Though wasted with the faVaSes
of war. disnernbered in her old age; and
sborn OF territory. of which she was ever
prodigal. for the general good, the bril-
| liant galaxy of her great men, her
warriors and statesmen. encircle her
brow with q halo of gioy which time
cannot dim, and proclaim to the nation
that the glory, of her house Is not yet de-
parted Your organization seeks to per
Detuate the incidents and memories OIL
a fatefuI period I'm her history. Outside OF
the characters which you have built up
and sustains your labors seek 10 con-
secrate her coil. and place In enduring
form the memory of her heroes They
| teach the youth Of nation that ma
| ton > worth IS TO be measured by the sac
| rinces Il has made. That when Al shali
| cease TO love virtue, shall cease 20 cher-
| ish to emulate. TO perpetuate the giorl-
| ous deeds. the glorious names Of its men,
| il shall cease. and justly cease, 10 DC
numbered with the nations Of the earth.
ON the 30th Of May next, you VIII
unite in defeating monument 10 lle
soldiers and sailors Of the Confederacy
| You complete the record Of a glorious
| enoch in the history Of your country
Won crown the structure Of imperishable
|. fame with the cap stone IL has looked
| FOR. YOU hand to posterity memorial
i'm enduring bronze of that gallant host,
| in remembrance Of whose deeds OF chlval-
| ~ Of steadfast endurance, Of Immortal
! sacrifice, all hearts must throb with Keen
estsemoton, all heads be barred IN deepest
reverence.