THE "ALABAMA" CONTROVERSY.

Southland Times, Issue 955, 22 May 1868, Page 3

THE "ALABAMA" CONTROVERSY.

The " London Review " regrets that so much of the discussion on this subject has turned on verbal quibbles. Do we wish to be in alliance or at enmity with the United States? This is the practical question, to which but one answer will be returned. The Government of the United States has intimated its readinees to cultivate our friendship, provided we manifest our good feeling by redressing what it has always held to be a grievous wrong. Imaginary difficulties have been conjured up by ingenious writers like " Historicus," and these have been magnified into obstacles to the attainment of what is admitted to be most desirable. Antiquated notions, drawn from a mediaeval code of international law, and dignified with the names of rights of sovereignty and national dignity, have hitherto had an influence over our statesmen and countrymen which is as deplorable as it is ridiculous. No man has aided more powerfully in bringing about this result than " Historicus." A portion of his pernicious influence ,has Jbeen due to his fancied immunity from blundering. His fallibility having now been rendered manifest, his bigoted followers will forsake him. Let us hope that when the House of Commons reasembles, a vigorous movement may be made to renew | that state of amity between Great Britain and the United States, which should never have been interrupted. The " Saturday Review" says the panic of English alarmists may perhaps be calmed by an inquiry whether it is probable tha American Government will engage in an unjust war of aggression. Every Englishman will readily admit that England would have more to lose than to gain in such a conflict, for the simple reason that Canada is within reach of the United States, while no American territory is, for any useful purpose, assailable by England. The possible conqusst, by a foreign Power, of a great and loyal Colony, would undoubtedly be a national mortification, but the material loss would be insignificant. In a maritime war the English navy would hold its own, and the injury to commerce would be reciprocal, and perhaps equal. The utmost that American hostility could accomplish would be the acquisition by mere force of a province, which would be justly and permanently disaffected to the lawless conqueror. If American agitators have any solid meaning in their threats, they must intend to invade the English dominion in Canada. The danger is real and considerable, but it is not so immeasurable as to justify a panic. The more enthusiastic among English partisans of the United States seem always to believe that American statesmen have no conscience; but they go too far when they assume that the objects of their admiration are as impolitic" as-they-are *mscrupulous.