The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-11-25

riacance The ye,p York Herald, Journal |
not usually partial to England, calls attention to
the circumstance, that an American engineer has
lately been engaged by Russia to take the direction
of the steamers in the Russian navy-that the con-
tract was openly entered into, the terms ostenta-
tiously announced, and that Mr.. Thompson, the in
aiyidual in question, had gone TO Washington TO
conclude the terms Of his agreement with the Rns-
sian Minister himself. Here IL the very case in
point. The Russian Minister does that openly, and
hitherto without rebuke, for which Mr. Champion,
on mere suspicion, is being hunted from American
soil One thing is clear, ii action is taken In the
matter at ALL both ministers must leave America on
the same day, unless the United States openly pro-
claim herself the friend and ally OF Russia.
We have no fear Of either Of these events hap
pening II our Government have been as tempe
rate and forbearing in their replies they are
presented to have been the misapprehension on
which the whole affair was founded must speedily
be explained and the angry feelings to which that
nisapprehenson gave rise, subsde. So far as di-
rect action il concerned there il to impugn
the good faith of the American government A
striking instance Of this is contained in the accounts
which have just come to hand. The British consul
vt New York, acting apparently upon some infor-
nation received, complained OF q vessel that was
about leaving the harbor of New York under sus-
Picious circumstances. It was unprecedented that
the had been fitted out as privateer, her owners
having accepted letters Of rnarque from the EN-
peror OF Russia, and the rumor was chat she was
intended to seize upon some OF the steamers that
ply between America and Great Britain. The a,,-
Ihorities at New York acted with the greatest
promptitude. The vessel was detained explanations
were called for and it not until those expnna-
lions proved satisfactory to the British Consul him
self that the vessel allowed to proceed on her
voyage. 1t is BY such acts OF national good faith
that the characters of both countries are elevated,
and that the bonds of amity, which have now so
long subsisted, become strengthened. And we may
add these are the acts which should expect from
our transatlantic kinsmen
Whatever may be the case with a few trading
politicians the people at large have interest in
the war now uphappily raging in Europe. 1t is
not to be expected they should take part with
either side; but iease of all have they an in
terest with Russia. No interest OF theirs, either
political or social, is to be advanced by Russian
success-none to be injured by Russian defeat.
Buccaneers and fhbnsters might reap profitable
harvest in the confusion but the nation at large
have no interest IN their gain, especially rs that
gain would be accompanied by great and serious,
and it may be irreparabe loss to vast among
: themselves The interests Of both people are 80
thoroughly bound up in the preservation of peace,
that hardly realise the amount of folly the
part Of their governments of heated parties on
either side, that would force them into hostities,
in which, to say nothing of higher considerations.
each has it in his power to do the other incalcuable
injury without being able to make any permanent
conquest, or arrive at point where the war could
be terminated, except by the thorough exhaustion Of
both sides.
The Acknowledgement FIRE of the Herald
General Paercc as EliiSuster aud sncur-
from the London Herald, Nov. 81
By the latest adyces from America we perceive
that the threatened misunderstanding between this
government and that of the States, on the subject
Of Minister'S conduct respecting enlistment for
The British service pithin the Union, has not been
materially aggravated, notwithstanding the very
sincere efforts of The democratic press to fan the
fame to the utmost Most OF the journals through
out the Union are silent upon the subject altogether
The NEW YORK HERALD still keeps up sort
OF running fire; but it il toerabiy clear the
popular feeling is not touched in this matter, and
Notwithstanding the very disreputabe attempts to
exasperate and iufame, on the part OF portion of
whole will # ggoss" soeed
iy blow over. Indeed, our belief in the good
sense Of the great majority of the American people
led us to this conclusion when we first noticed this
affair some days since and we have been confirmed
In that conclusion by subsequent consideration and
by the most recent intelligence OF the state of public
feeling amongst our transatlantic friends. The
truth is, cry ,pded for the forthcoming cleo
sions by class ,cho represent small but oery
malignant minority in the States, and the occasion
afforded by a supposed infringement by England
of a municipal law, the spirit OF which is on the
admission OF the Herald itself, actually infringed
by Russia seized with avidity by that party in
hopes of creating bad blood between the two
governments, and OF proiting by the opportunity,
however brief and transitofy. Mr. Champion refers
the whole affair to o conspiracy of foreigners"
having the object in view, and says he is
prepared to show that such is the case Even more
satisfactory than such proof is the fact that the
attempt, however originating, to nhame the to
countries, has failed, and we shall be very mach
surprised indeed if the whole affair does not speedi
Iy die natural death.
II must be admitted, at the same time, that there
ore members of the American government animated
by sentiments of irrational but relentless hostility
to this country, and amongst those possessed are
to be numbered, we fear, the present head OF the
administration, and the Attorney-tieneral. Presi-
dent Pierces sentiments on the subject Of anneXa-
ton go, we believe, the entire length of the Monroe
doctrine and it il generally supposed his sympa-
thies with the flibusters is rather more marked
than BELTS either the honor the dignity of the
chief Of the great American Republic. The latter
sentiment is, however, ineligible in General
Tierce's case; he has been soldier Of fortune,
phich, IN the Vest may be taken to mean something
more than simple adcenfurer; perhaps, also
something less than ftibuster. He served, il we
mistake not, in the Mexican war, and IL is said he
has nerer lost The predatory disposition and pro.
pensitg there engendered or fostered BE this as it
may, Franklin pierces sentiments most subjects
are secret, and we esteem ii fortunate circum-
stance, first, that he has not and necer has had,
much Of a fotiotcing IN the States; and, secondly
that his Prestdeacy must soon cease and determine
IL need not be concealed that Mr.. Pierce has en-
deavored TO press this foolish misunderstanding to
open rupture between the governments and
might possibly have succeeded but for the prom H.
tnde, tact and good feeling of Mr. Secret y
Marcy, who has evinced very creditable ue
r,,,- ~ consult the true interests Of all parties
or Mr.. Caleb Gushing we know little but that he Is
the American Attorney General, and the author OF
certain recent letters, more remaFhA5le or unme =
Judgment, acumen or legal ability. We should
have a much lower estimate Of the sound sense OF
the American people than we do entertain, II we
could suppose them capable of being Influenced
against their best interests, by Wild aud bombastic
appeals to their worst passions. Sach appeals we
have already intimated do not set the fleets and
armies OF great nations in hostile motion. War i
a serious business, not lightly undertaken by a-
tionai men, and never without just cause and a
deliberate calculation Of the consequences, and no
such cause has, thank God, yet risen between En-
gland and the United States of America. The up
shot of the matter is, that there is no Foundation
for the report that the American Government have
demanded the recall of our Minister at Washington,
nor, in the event Of such demand being made, is II
the intention Of our government TO appoint sue
cessor to Mr.. Champion. In this matter Lord Cla
rendon has been, as il to us, much TO blame.
He placed Mr.. Champion, IA we took occasion re
Gently to point out, in a hopeless dilemma. The
municipal law of the States forbids enlistment for
instructed TO procure recruits, but account to
violate the American law. Like lagos advice to