The Express.
London, England, 1863-04-25 00:00:00

this Act has been in force the American Govern-
ment has never hesitated to acknowledge its obli-
gations to enforce its provision,. No attempt
was ever made by the Washington Cabinet or by
the members of Congress to deny its binding force,
or to confound the offence of fitting out an armed ship
in order to cruise against us with the ordinary sale
of munitions of war. No imputation of delay was
ever made against the American Government ; on
the contrary, they have always displayed the
utmost vigilance and promptitude in putting its
provisions in force. Even at the time of the
Canadian rebellion not only the American Minister
of the day but every influential politician in
Congress used his efforts to maintain neutrality,
and to arm the Government with additional
powers in order to prevent its possible violation.
It can hardly be said that during the present crisis
there has been the same loyal &Laity in thiscountry.
Though Lord Hamm has acted with the utmost
candour, and has professed his readiness to atop
such vessels as the Alabama, still attempts had
been made, even by the Souerron-Grunam., to
compare the sale of munitions of war with the
offence of fitting out vessels of war in our porta.
Many of our chief merchants and shipowners have
openly connived at this violation of our neutrality
laws, and had commissioned their representatives
in Parliament to defend their illegal acts, and to
harms the Government in the discharge of their
obvious duties. Nay, more. The House of Com-
mons itself has displayed a tone of violent par-
tiality which had it been displayed in the American
Congress would have been considered by no means
creditable.
It will always be matter of regret that the
Alabama was suffered to escape from the port of
Liverpool Nor can it be doubted that if due
vigilance had been displayed that untoward event
would not have occurred. But seeing the spirit
which such men as Mr. Hosarstz. and his Tory
friends have displayed in regard to the proceed-
ings against the Alexandra, it is not so surprising
that the law officers of the Government should
have been somewhat reluctant to act. If
there is one axiom more generally admitted
than another, it is that when a case is
before the tribunals the law ought to be
allowed to take its course. It is even considered
improper that any matter sub justice should be dis-
cussed by the public journals. The Alexandra
has just been seized because she is being equipped
in violation of the Foreign Enlistment Act. And
yet the member for Liverpool, backed by Sir
firma CAIRNS and his countryman, Mr. Warta-
lUD; have thoucht it consistent with their public
duty to bring the case before the Hones of Com-
mon', and to attempt to discuss the pro-
ceedings which have been taken against
the suspected vessel. If any lunatics has
been committed by the law officers —if
even any technical mistake has been made,
it is not to be supposed that the courts of justice
are without power to remedy the eviL The law
once set in motion ought to be allowed to take its
course. Nor would it be easy to mention any
single instance in which the House of Comm=
has been called upon or has attempted to interfere
in order to stop a proceeding, or even to owed
any supposed injustice. The mere fact that smy
such motion as that proposed by Mr. HORS/ALL
was listened to by the House of COMMON
is painfully significant. In any ordinary pro-
ceedings instituted by the law officers of the Crowe
or by the Custom-house authorities Mr. Hasanza.
would scarcely have obtained a hearing. The auk
reason why the technical proceedings cosseted
with the seizure of the Alexandra have bees
deemed a fit subject of discussion must be because
the sympathies of so many members of the House
of Commons and so large • number of persons
throughout the country are vehemently interested
in the cause of the South. The unfortunate thing
is that any step, however unusual, which tends to
inspire a prejudice against the Government, or
may influence the result of the trial about to take
place, seems to be considered legitimate by the
Confederate shipbuilders of Liverpool