The Press. — London, England, 1856-06-07 00:00:00

.7yrir.nprz. 1773 •1944,410#14.044h0ff.AW • . • Zi•- j .; ' t ' 1,,,,d 9 i ".. r") rr t •1. r 1 - ••:'.. 7 s :4-2 , *0-. g'...-- .0.• . 1 11 , 1 ‘ 4" :.! 1 ' *.A r. II r!‘" , mit ill r 4) Y Iti og:.r• n I '1 0 . • ti ! I ll't r : • 10•, ; • . i ; t; 4 .. `.:i'l • . ~ . - diA .) s ........___u_.. , ,Ne ~ , 1 , (... -x~ . Pli 1M // v ( • I No. 162.—V0L. IV. LONDON, SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 1856. STAMPED ....SIXPENCE. UNSTAMPED..FIVEPENCE. cal e Vrtss. for themselves, and will exercise a restraining influence over the belligerent propensities of their Executives, they may rely on it that a crash is inevitable. LONDON, SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 1850. THE Ministerial journals are inclined to "pooh-pooh " the dismissal by the United States Government of her Majesty's repre sentative at Washington. We are to regard it as an act of capricious spite, incapable of lead ing to serious consequences. Did not the Court of Spain expel Sir HENRY BULWER from Madrid, with no worse result than a tempo rary suspension of diplomatic intercourse be t.veen the two countries? There was no war with Spain then; why should there be war with the United States now ? We shall pro bably get on with America much better in of the irritating diplomatic in- oce ipy le dispute would be arranged. Lieu Sinope was only to be regarded as an unturtunate occurrence, in no way requiring Ili to engage in hostilities with Russia. We have too often experienced the fallacy of such hopeful assurances to place much faith in them. The dismissal of Mr CRAMPTON is not a mere e'ullition of spleen ; it is not the result of a m P diplomatic squabble. It is the consc quence:ofan irreconcileable difference between ovo uovernuients, wdich has been con tinually gaining strength for the last twelve month. Lately they have been taking their ground, and now the Ilia of President Pirko: is thrown up into the ring. Lot PALM ERSTON is confident. He earnestly deprecates the interference of the Legislature. He desires nothing better than that the two Cabinets shall be left alone. The more critical tae situation, the greater need is there that confidence should be reposed in her Majesty's Government. While an event is in suspense, the public interests would be perilled by a parliamentary discussion. When the event is decided, one way or the other, of what use is discussion on the past 9 There must be no debate while the Government is drifting.— there is no need of debate when it has drifted. The dispute with the United States is ex ceEsively difficult and complicated ; but because it has become so under the super intendence of Lord PALMERSTON'S Cabinet, that does not appear to us the best reason in the world for reposing absolute confidence in his Cabinet's wisdom and discretion. Political alien's have a tendency to run in the groove in winch they are once set. If they are mov ing in a wrong direction they will not right themselves. A violent effort is required to roetify their original impulse. Unless the natural leaders of the public mind in both countries will look into the cause of quarrel The question for our Legislature to consider is a very simple one. Has the United States Government just ground of complaint against Mr. CaAmyroN ? Is it true that he took ad• vantage of his position as British Minister at Washington to violate the neutrality laws of the country to which he was accredited? If the charge is sustained by facts, ought this eountry. through a feeling of false pride, to persist in asserting that he is blameless? We are very unwilling to give the Cabinet of General PIERCE an opportunity of crowing over us. Its tone has been so offensive on this enlistment question that nothing would please us better than to find it in the wrong. But because it is insolent with a strong case, are we to be dufia.nt with a weak one ? From Mr. CarotrroN's own statements it is impossible to resist the conviction that he did violate theneutrality laws of the United States, not in spirit only, bukin letter. A man writes from' • that he has bui up pose their expenses will be paid? Mr. CRAMPTON has no doubt of it. Get them to Halifax, and each man's passage-money will he forthcoming, and bounty, pay, and promo tion, are all in store fur the gallant volunteers. The New Orleans agent is not quite satisfied. He sends Mr. CRAMPTON an advertisement he proposes to insert in the papers :—" A ship " A 1, will sail weekly from New Orleans to " Halifax, as long as passengers present them '. selves.' Will such a notice be legal? Mr Crampton has no doubt of it. Let the agent get his passengers, and there need be no doubt as to the payment of all their expenses at Halifax. Is there any lawyer in this country who will say that the action of thc New Orleans agent would not come under the " hiring and retaining" of the United States' statute? For what purpose would the men be shipped? What kind of understanding would there be with them? What would be the secret con ditions of their engagement? And if this agent violated the neutrality laws, can it be contended that the British minister at Wash ington who assured this agent of his fee, who indicated the place to which the recruits should he taken, and stated the bounty, pay, and advantages they would receive, did not offend against the neutrality laws also? The case will not hear inquiry. Our Government may have aright to say that they did not ex pect the United States Executive to be so sharp ; but• it is insulting to common sense, it is con trary to the facts which Mr. CRAMPTON has placed on record, to assert that the States Government has not just cause for the course they have taken. The answer of Lord CLARENDON has been, uniformly, that he is sorry the Government of the United States should ti ink it h a s cause for remonstrance. He applies himself to theories when he should discuss facts. He . . _ --- consequence of the irritating 14 - ilomatie in- to him from Nev Orleans that he has but to his t •rcourse having been brought to a conclu- hold up his finger and •five thousand of as and sion. brave fellows as ever handled a mt}sket will hasten to enter the service of hei;Wajesty. mei This style of Comment is exactly parallel They are disgusted with the oppression regi 'wish that pursued when the Russians crossed of the States Government, and they the Pruth. The passage of the river was of ties long for nothing so much as—to touch the no great moment. The Russians had occupied don bounty of the recruiting sergeant. The only tie Principalities before, and had left them sub question is how they are to be got to the p , veeatbly. They had, by treaty, a right to Queen's territority. Does Mr. CRAMPTON sup- sha . occ ipy them. The dispute would be arranged. nog.; their exnenses will be naid? Mr. hire has made no apology, because he denies th, t any apology is required. If his view be tl,e correct one, then the dismissal of Mr. CRAMP.. TON from Washington is about the grossest insult ever o&red to a great nation. But, if it be not correct, is it possible that this country will stand by without making an effort to avert the consequences of his error ? INDECISION OF LORD CLARENDON. IT is a misfortune in the present relations of England with the United States, that our Se cretary for Foreign Affairs should be of so nervous a temperament, and that with all his accomplishments Lord CLARENDON should be justly obnoxious to tho imputation of being timidly sensitive and habitually indecisive. His own word " drifting" exactly describes the character of his mind. Nature gave him a graceful presence, with a slender body, and the outward show of a refined disposition. Bred to the labour of the desk, commencing career as a " Commissioner of Customs,. and employed for many years only upon com- sharpness of a special pleadir, and he fanei himself actively engaged in real trusin when he is only giving an unnecessary disci . sion to trivial matters which Other •s • tatesm would properly disregard. But when • pub% - passions are aroused, when the blood alai& c )mmunities is quickened by revenge, vaiL glory, or ambition, in these grave emergencies a man like Lord CLARENDON has not the mas culine nature which can grapple with violence, and, by inborn prowess immediately exerted, daunt adversaries, inspirit friends, and tri umphantly overthrow vast obstacles. It is, therefore, a real public misfortune that a man like Lord CLARENDON should at this cri tical jun3ture be our Secretary for Foreign Affairs. His natural feebleness leads him to avoid issues, and to postpone difficulties, until a point has been reached when it is impossi ble for either party to recede without dis- • honour. He thinks it the perfection of clever- • ness to invent some petty trap. for a strong opponent, who at the proper moment con temptuously kicks the stumbling-block out of his way. He is ingenious, but not profound ; he is clever, but he is not commanding ; he is active, and stocked with attainments, but he is not original, nor full of resources He put down Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN, but Lord CLARENDON had thirty thousand - -q. sixteen thousand police, and ter, with Lord ENNI. The Whigs wanted a F GRANVILLE had not ti circumstances had ret and Lord JOHN Russw position ; and Lord , gazetted to the post. the effects produced " rendon capittilation regular troops, sixteen. the Orangemeu of Uls- IRR I.LEN Foreign Secretary : L uNte the' talAts for the ofaCe;e. !nderedlLorti PALME RPIT011r: &LT. 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