Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-02
OUR DIFFICULTY WITH ENC;I.H

difficulty with the United States, was TO the .rc,
that Mr.. Baie had brought the matter before Para.
ment in tho direct aud papabe shape of motion of
censure on The Ministry Tie issue thus distinctly
presented will doubtless provoke free and frII ds
cussion of tho relations between te countries and
will compel declaration of the real purposes Of the
British government. Meanwhile, conjecture vii! be
busy in anticipating the result of debate 20 fraugL
with interest to the people of the United States
We assume 1t to be absolutely certain that the
British Ministry are resolved to accede n our do
mands, neither in tho construction Of tba CLAYTON.
Bulwer treaty, nor in offering reparaton for the in
fraction OF our laws and the violation Of our ueu,ra
fy. Their shameful policy of shutting and evasion
will be consumnatcd by fiat refusal when ,bcv mr.,
driven to an absolute reply
We are then to inquire whether the British Minis.
try will be backed by Parliament, or will be driven
from power and De succeeded by government with
more pacific policy and more equitable dispo.i.
toni
Inc Falue,stn1 Administration was the creature cf
accident. Every other lending statesman and everv
other party organization having failed and fslsn in
pieces under the weight of disastrous war Palmer
ston was at last permitted to construct Ministrv ou,
OF diverse materials and for the special occasion In
Its original constitution the Ministry had reference 70
no other end than the prosecution of the war and it's
members were agreed, perhaps, on no single measure
Of ordinary policy With the conclusion Of peace,
therefore, 1t vas J"aet"s cScio and it carries in s
bosom n disease which must inevitably cause is dis.
solution on ae removal of the pressure of an acci
dental necessity. From the beginning il existed bv
sutierauce tor th-re not moment when il copId
command clear majority Of the Commons ON apy
ordinary ssua of party
Now, if Pansrs,on had conducted the war TO a
glorious termination and had concluded a peace
which should Halter the pride of the nation be niyht
sihly have recruited the original and inherent
weakness of his administration and have sscurcd
solid and permanent tenure of power. But SINCE he
has done nothing to retrieve the honor of the British
arms snd has done much to eclipse the glory of the
British name by the sanction oi M ignominious
treaty il j. reasonable 10 anticipate the sudden and
complete overthrow Of hi. Ministry.
II happens that the dispute with America, presents
an asne which will unite every element Of opposition
TO the Ministry. Tory and Radical, Derby and Cob.
den, with the great Intermediate body OF moderate
l.iberals, are dead against the government On the
question And the Opposition are heartily sup,
ported by the press and the people.
Our conclusion then is, that the palmers,on Cabi.
net will obsnaiely Gihere TO THEN untelaL!c position
until they driven from power aud that they will
lie succeeded by al Administration which, while eNhi.
biting more just aud friendly spirit, will spin ont
negotiations to peaceful but unsatisfactory conclu.
sion. We must not deceive 0urselves with the idea
that we are sustained by any party or by any res.
pectable body o! people in England, on ever
issue in controversy between the two governments,
We doubt if there be single intelligent Enslishman
who asscnia entirely 30 ur construction of the Clay
ton Buiwer treaty. We T.rist give rs We'll ~ take
Any possible settlement will involve mutual con.
ces:o.,s end compromise OF opposing demands.
British pride is irrted 20 the quick, by the nglorious
resul, OF the war with Russia The recall or dis.
nssal of its minister at Washington, is sacrifice to
the demands OF ineSorable justice, which will still
further iniiane the resentment and wound tao GnoEr
p'opre OF the British peppla. IN ouch mood they
Will obstina.2!y ieiuse 10 conceGe anything beyond
iae liearert and mos, indspuable claims Of Justice,
and will not much r.gret an opportunity Of ayerg,n
their humiliation. # they cnn plead only ihJ ieaa.
plausible preteI for refa.;n;, o.: demands. Where
fore we must nC' ,as!.ly tonc.Ede ths; change q
Ministry IN Great Britain, will result in s:i i.,;nediae
and satisfactory settlement o; .iiiiicultr. with this
country.
OF uRe lang we have ample Assurance: which is
thai The British government must return a speedy
and categorical answer TO our demand Of adequate
apology for the violation OF neutrality and
reign dignity. 1t is without sufficient reason tnst
we Affirm that The President will listen to nc i:tdef
plea IN evasion or pospoDener' an sd uatmcrl but
will promptly der.Ss he OIicals whose removal ia
det tnGeus il any oner attempt is made TO Justify
cy has exhausted the argument the President has
fetreated to the arthes rernty Of decent orbear
ance and conventional courtesy. Any delgY -oT N
striking the decisive blow will bs ;G.eE for want Of
spirit and will encourage Cur adversary in his pro-
crasi; ;nt,,ng and evasivs policy We have reached
point in the negotiation whence we cannot retreat,
and where we cannot stand. We must take a for
ward STEP and that will confront us with the Eritilh
government, in angry and nenacing Controversy
If the B-itish Minister is not recalled, he will be
promptly dismissed BY the President but that lnea
cure will not necessarily lend to hostii,es. A sus-
pension Of diplomatic intercourse will follow, with
much evaporation OF feeling wrathful recrmi-
nation, and exhibition Of alarm among old women
aud stock obbers but that interesting state of afars
will ultimately give place to a resumption Of amica.
sustained in his resolute policy.