The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-05-24
A SPECK OF WAR.

lister to our government, for his completely in
the recruitment business. The agent of the
associated press, telegraphing on the 18th,
says that Mr.. Champion would certainly be
notified Of his dismissal on that day. The
Picayune's correspondent, however, of the same
date, states that diplomatic relations had not
been suspended, as asserted in the Washing
ton Star, doubtless the foundation of the dis
patches to the associated press, and that it
was not then known what course the admins
tration would pursue. Presuming therefore,
that the intentions of our government are un-
known, even at Washington, we advise the
public to await patiently the arrival of more
definite news, before manifesting too much
feeling on the subject
Some take it for granted that the dismissal
of the British Minister would be equivalent to
involving the country in war with Great
Britain. This 10y no means follows. The con-
duct Of Mr.. Champion, in the enlistment of
soldiers on our soil for service in the Crimca,
in violation Of laws existing between oil civil
lied nations, and the refusal of his government
to apologize for the insult, leaves no other al
tentative to our administration than his dis
missal. The apology has been refused, or
what is the same thing, demand on Great
Britain to recall the offender declined, and if
he has not received his dismissal every consid
Grafton Of national and dignity imperiously call
on the American government to withhold fur
thcr intercourse with them.
The President will not be abandoned by
the American people in thus indicating the
honor Of our country, and we do not believe
that England is so forgetfu of former coils
ions with us as to resent the act by de-
claration Of war The exploits of her troops
in the recent war with Russia were not such
as to establish confidence in their nvincibility
in the minds of sightseeing people. The in
crease in her national debt of g200, 900, 900,
the untitled gaps in her land forces the elo-
quence and force of the Golden and Bright
party in Parliament the defections known to
exist against the present ministry, and dozen
other considerations are safe guarantees for the
continuation of peaceful relations We expect
much buster in the House of Lords and Cab
met, and an unusual quantum of Printing
House Square thunder, to follow the dismissal
of Champion. 1t is part of aristocratic val
or to be noisy-thc best indication of the alb
sence Of danger-but as we have become used
to this game, its effects have become neutral
lied and harmless. The magnificent naval ar
mament recently reviewed at Spthead unde.
niably tickled the vanity of British aristocra-
cy, and convinced the ignorant that the nation
had come out of the contest with Russia
stronger than they entered it but depleted
treasury and buthcnsome taxation on the ma
tional industry gives the lie direct to such de-
duction. She is weaker in every arm of her
service-crippled. old and decripid, in compar
ison to her condition three years ago, and
those shrcwd statesmen who represent the peo
pile Of England and her immense commercial
and manufacturing interests, know it. They
will see that the Palmerstons and Clarendon
do not drift their country into a sea so dan
gerous as war with the United States would
prove to be.
We would not, however, have our govern
ment decide this question on the issue whether
or not war with England is to result, but up
on its merits of right and wrong. Is the dis
mssal of Mr.. Champion right? And is il
called for by our national interest as well a
honor? If so, let it be pursued to the "btte
end" argues the New Orleans Delta-and W.
concur with it-and as for the contingency o
war, we believe, and the national instinct feels
that the best specific for preventing war is Il
be always really nd willing for it. Thoug
!. the land and naval forces of England bot
: outnumber ours at present. it must be remem
!. bered that the United States could send upo
: the seas the largest prvateering force-th
# militia Of the seas-that the world ever saw
Besides this, there is the thread of cottol
:. strong as fate, in tying the hands of CONNER
e cial England. As NJ. Theirs has said, ever
;. bale of American cotton may count for tire
l. soldiers, either in conserving the peace or cal