New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-23
rgC STATE OF pcBLIc OPINION IN
ENGLAND.

and admitted partially y! h"s''-'
mate that Louis Napoleon Is bent upon accepting
neaee at almost any price, until France Is IN
IT, state 70 prosecute the war as she would
nI. Numerous reasons are advanced for this
n, the first place, the French army has CARED the
a;,b,st surels in the late campaigns; aud thus, a.
far a, glory alone is concerned, has nothing moro
brilliant 10 hope for in another Onsaught and ac-
eordng to the present understanding between the
Allies DO party except Turkey lie to Obtain any
territorial acquisition by the war. Secondly, Il"
Affirmed that the French people are 90 rnueh as
tressed by the desrpess Of food and tne compare,
tiy, depression Of labor, that revolution would
n ;mninsnt II the present state of things con
timed long. Aud thirdly tast the Impress oelhg
near her confinement, il il deemed Peiiuc ~
K,noleon and bis advisers 70 be at peace WI'n Oh
the world on the occurrence OF 'hat e'eH7 ~
go, that all the Courts Of Europe may acknoWl-
EDGE the legitimacy of the heir TO Ine iinPsrlai
throne aud that Of the new dynasty OF rance,
There ia no doubt much truth in all these rumofed
TT. Int what their weight may be respectively
In che councils of peace and war is not 80 clearly
,,csrtainsd TIE general impression now IS, how
.,er that France is more inclined for peace than
ENGLAND in the present uncture Of atiars although
,ome few DAYS AGO contrary notion prevailed 10
priyste London circles The Queens Speech IN
opening Parliament Yesterday was more thsh
usually bald and incOmmunlcatlye, as II ieariui vi
exciting hopes that could not be realized; ana Ihe
speeches in both Houses were addressed more
anxioufly 10 the feeling of determination In the
public mind than blandly and securely TO the hopes
of pesce The funcs became more buOyant ana
rose at once three per cent on the hrst news
of peace negotiations being opened. but ciouoy
atmosphere Of general distrust has gradually
spread over the feelings Of this country, and the
money markets show more tendency to isIi tnsh
rise while struggling to maintain the shgh' al
vance so recently obtained.
All this looks somewhat oninous OF c0mpllca-
ton and Misunderstanding though possibly IL may
be meant, by those who govern the nation, ana
control public opinion by the tone and manner OF
their words aud actions. merely to keep the reso-
luton Of the people unrelaxed While points are
being discussed which must be carried as the Vest
ern Powers desire in the diplomatic negotiations
now proceeding 10 Paris, or about to commence
there in formal conference. However this may
be. strong hopes Of peace have given way to eau
tion and distrust, the nation remaining armed at
it's post instead of gamboling at ease IN the sun
shine of security.
The runners Of Misunderstanding with the Cabl-
net of the United States, are also partially the
cause of this unsettled feeling. The public gem
orally understand, as things arc represented to
them here that due apology was made by the En-
slish Government for any irregularity complained
of with regard TO the recruiting question IN
America, and that, in re atty, no other question
that requires or may require further understand
ing Of details between the two Governments. has
any real plea Of urgency at present; but that IN
this state Of things the Governmental Gen. Pierce
insists upon bringing numerous minor questions to
an immediate issue without due regard to usage
and the common fairness of diplomacy.
Ii is commonly understood that the American
Government wifhes to take advantage OF the
present European war; to bully the English into
the premature settlement of questions that require
mature consideration and an equitable adjustment;
and this impression ia a most unpleasant one, az
nobody likes to think Of a war with America, which
must be injurious to al parties and as they thlnk,
advantageous to none. They cannot bear to think,
however of being driven into diplomatic contro-
yerses prematurely by Government which they
believe has no good reasOn to complain, and then
20 be threatened with hostilites, ii not prepared
TO make concessions totally uncalled for. | do
not say that facts exactly warrant these impress
sions In the public mind of England, but such are
the impressions that exist, and peace is deemed
almoft impossible by mauy serious people who fear
We shall be most unwillingly compelled by Gen.
Pierce and his party TO maintain a war against
our own kinsmen, because we eaonOt submit to
sheer indignites, when nothing but the simplest
common sense and international pOteness Is re-
quired 10 strengthen and perpetuGte the amlty and
Some people say that PalmerstOn and his col
leagues are to blame for this unpleasant state OF
things, but that is not generally believed, rs in
that case the remedy might easily be found In the
dismissal Of the Ministry; and the fear is that no
change Of Ministry would alter the question, so
long as the American Government maintain their
present course The notion is that we are in fix;
obliged TO accept war, or submit 70 ndignlties that
ought not to be submitted TO; and that the only
possible way Of escaping war is to adopt on both
sides the forms of pollteness aud good faith usual
In diplomatic relations.
These apprebensions of external complication
are 90 all.absOrbing ia the public mind, that all
other questions have sunk into neglect. Parties who
differ widely az are the poles asunder on ques-
tions Of Internal policy and social progress waive
their differences. under present circumstances, to
unite in supporting what they mutually deem es-
seniial to the general safety and independence of
the nation. There never was more universal
and sincere desire for peace with oil the world
than that which now exists among all classes of
this kingdom; but | never witnessed a more
wide " spread feeling of distrust in the possibility
Of maintaining peace without a most dangerous
and impOlitic display Of forbesrance aud mean
cowardice There is an internal struggle in almost
every breast between the love Of peace and the
fear Of losing character among the nations OF the
world; and slow determination not 10 lose caste.
and with it independence, is gradually gaining
strength TO set the love OF peace aside until II can
be safely trusted and mAintsined with honor For
my part long for peace, and should think it mad
ness for England 10 be az war with America; but
what must be will be; and il the two countries
should really be seized with madness, there is no
knowing what they may do; sod perhaps the beet
and only things they could DO in such case would
be to burn each others cities, ruin commerce.
hill the hosts arTayed in battle waste, destroy and
Kill as much az possible; and then have = confer
sDce, in which the survivors may confess that they
have all been drunk and mad with vanity, cupidity
and lust Of power; tbst now their heads are sore,
and that they feel little sober. and really think
u would be better 20 return % reason - ~ arb-