The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-16

az TePuplC, peace OF war;
AMERICAN OPINION ON THE WAR IN EUROPE.
We publish elsewhere curious letter, which
appeared in the London Times Of the 9th ult.,
and purports to have been contributed to that
jourEal by its New York correspondent, Mr..
Charles Edwards Lester. The letter describes
in animated if not in sophomore language the
extraordinary sympathy which all ranks and
classes Of individuals here feel for the cause in
which England and France are engaging in the
Eastern war. To this representation of Ameri-
can opinion on the subject Of the war in Europe
we enter a decided protest. We deny its ac-
curacy in every point Of view, and pronounce
it from beginning to end to be gross misrepre-
sentation.
In proof whereof. we refer to every occasion
on which American opinion has had an oppor-
tunity Of being expressed since the commence
ment OF the imfUroglio. We refer to the discus
sions in Congress, at public meetings and in
the columns Of the press. And from these and
other means OF information we have no hesita-
ton in concluding that the New York cores
pendent Of the London Times has stated the
reverse Of the actual state of things He has
committed the same error as another American.
now on the other side of the Atlantic, the Che
Waller Webb has since made both at the din
ner table OF British Ministers and in the
columns Of the London Times. Both have dis
played want Of Judgment that cannot easily
be explained. The letter Of the one about
American sentiment is quite on q par with the
lucubratons Of the other on priyateering.
Each has doubtless enjoyed some measure OF
success in deluding the British people. The
task is so easy that the supposition reflects no
very high credit on our corntrymen. British
statesmen and the British press are so hopeless
iy ignorant Of American Affairs and The true
sources Of American information. that the
merest iyro in diplomacy can persuade them
anything he plcascs about this country. irwin
barely Dc believed, for instance that soon after
the election Of Louis Napoleon Lord Palmers-,
ton actually engaged the Chevaiier Wykoff
as a secret diplomatic agent al a salary OF $500
year. lie was sent to Paris. specially en-
trusted with the duty OF keeping the American
and French press straight on matters OF public
Importance and likewise to keep Lord Pal
in the French capital lie was further TO use
bis inhuenee-whch was believed to be prodi-
gious--to advance Lord Clarendoas project Of
an Anglo-Amefican alliance. How the CDeva.
lier earned his $500 year, and whether he was
as successful in watching the movements OF
parties in Paris as he was in managing the
American press, we are unfortunately unable
to say ior the scrape into which he contrived
to get at Genoa cut shor, his connection with
Lord Palmerston, and terminated his official di-
plomatic career. The lesson lie taught Lord
Paimerston seems however to have been lost on
the British government. We now hear o. Lord
Clarendon and Lord Palmerston trusting to
Chevalier Webb and taking his word fol tbat
OF the American people, when The Chevalier Il
actually ignorant Of the laws OF his own coun-
Try. The Londoa Times, too, publishes extra
VACANT and absurd letters from its New York
correspondent, stating thai sympathy IL felt