UNKNOWN.

Otago Witness, Issue 853, 4 April 1868, Page 17

UNKNOWN.

{From the A Ibion. ) < ' In the United States Senate, Mr moved a resolution to recognise jhe belligerent rights of Abyssinia, in revenge for the Alabama outrages. ' ' Aby s»nia,* J he said, " was a Government ,'jhousands of years before Great Britain iras a nation. It appears there had been some love propositions between Victoria jand the King of Abyssinia. He knew (nothing about that ; but the United j 'States should exercise perfect neutrality in such matters. He would let kings sfcnd I j princes decide these matters for them- ! ; selves. The King of Abyssinia claimed to , be, and no doubt was, a descendant of ' I King Solomon. He believed that flag would be recognised, and he would, if a British ship-of-war chased one of them into a United States port, compeJl her to remain under the guns of a fort until the Abyssinian vessel had twenty -four hours' start. Give Great Britain a dose, not as homoeopathic as one of her own medicines. — (Laughter.) Let the Abyssinian light up old ocean with the burning ships of Great Britain. If the King of Abyssinia enlisted seamen here, he hoped perfect neutrality would be observed." Mr Anthony opposed the motion. " The true way," he said, "to revenge ourselves upon Eugland was to show by our own growth and power the superiority of republican over monarchial institutions, by attracting here the capital and labor of Europe, and thus developing our incalculable national resources. We had conquered the rebellion with the sympathies of England against us. Let us now overcome her in the arts of peace." Mr Johnson saw no object in the resolution. No greater evil could happen to this country than a war with Great Britain. We would emerge, doubtless, with honor, but uith. an immensely increased debt. All the great principles of human freedom were recognised by the Government of Great Britain, and such a war would doubtless militate against human liberty, of the same race, speaking the same language. The two nations were looked up to as the hope of human freedom. Why should retaliation be suggested whp.n Great Britain seemed anxious to make amends ? Mr Chandler said Great Britain had bullied all weak Powers for one hundred years, and had cringed to strong Powers, and would do so again. Mr Howe claimed that the only superior claims of Great Britain over Abyssinia for the recognition of belligerent rights was that she was stronger. The King of Abyssinia was a lineal descendant, he believed, from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, and eked out his salary by making umbrellas — (laughter) — and the Senate should consider, of course, before passing the resolution, that if a war was provoked by it, the King of Abyssinia would not be very effective as an ally. — (Laughter.) The motion was not persevered in.