The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-04-19
War Prospects,
war prospects,
The Militia act just passed by the Legisla-

The Militia act just passed by the Legisla-
ture of Canada closes with these words
Provided that II at the time when this act would other
wise expire there should happen to be war between the
United States and her Majesty then this act shall co.,
nue in force until the end OF the session Of the frovn
cia Parliament next after the proclamation OF peace
Several of the Canadian journals, specula-
ting on the same text, think war not unlikely
in the event of trouble between the United
States and Spain and expatiate on the mis-
chief the allied Powers could do by sending a
feet to cruise on the American coasts.
We do not think war at all likely. We do
not believe Mr.. Pierce has spirit enough to
provoke it. But if it came, the consequences
would be very different from those anticipated
in Canada Great Britain and France might Of
course send fleet to capture our merchant
vessels, blockade few seaports, lombard a
fort here and there. or even land and plunder
defenceless villages, as Cockburn did. But
here their power of mischief would end.
They could not land an army without Ger
tainty Of similar fate to that now overtak.
ing the army at Sebastopol. Railroads and
steamers would enable us to concentrate at any
one point so overwhelming force that no in
vading army could ever obtain anything more
than burial ground in America.
But our power OF mischief would be mex
haustible. Without striking blow we could
force revolution in both France and England,
by simply stopping our supplies Of cotton and
corn. One has only to look at the figures. and
see how many Of the people Of Great Britain
are dependent ON the cotton mills for employ
ment, an6 on free supply of American -four for
cheap bread, to measure the extent Of the misery
that would be caused by the stoppage Of either
would march on London in week. Over and
over again the thing has been threatened
nothing prevented it but large supply Of
American cotton and American corn. How
can it be prevented when the want of these il
the cause of the rising?
This country, however, it would be found,
would not be so powerless in the field as for
eigners seem to think. We know that quar-
ter of million of soldiers can be had for the
asking. West Point has not left us destitute of
officers; and whatever faults may be laid to
their charge they cannot at all events be worse
than the British officers of the Crimean army.
1t would not be natural for the United States
to invade Europe, and no such scheme would be
proposed; but there is Upper Canada, only
waiting convenient opportunity to enter the
Union if we are willing. One thing is certain,
the mistakes which rendered Scott's victories
at Chippewa aud Bridgewater fruitless in the
last war would not be repeated.
The Canadians talk OF raising 5000 militia.
They will not do it. However, suppose they
do, and even that an army Of $500 men we'll
equipped for campaign be marched into the
field--what could they do? New York alone
could take care Of them. If the Province
were invaded General Scott would probably
desire not to cross the border with less than
10000 men, in order to save bloodshed; he
could have $4,000 without any trouble:
Where would the Canadian militia and the few
British regiments in garrison be, if such an
army crossed the line?
We are at peace now, and these are mere
speculations But every day it seems palmer
that the acq uisitiens which it seems the des-
tiny Of this republic to make must be made in
war and not in peace.