The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-03


yeneeI merits stands precisely - Il stood
IN 1863, the suspicion recurs that in
" der to divert the current OF public opinion
to the duty Of sustaining an administration
which by common consent has been abandoned
as q failure, our Executive has resorted to the
happy expedient of the expulsion of John
Bull, nolens polens, from his shameless usurpar
tions of colonies and protectorates in and
about Central America.
Be il so. Better late than never. We hsd
no right, in the first instance, to expect the
promptitude OF General jackson from General
Pierce. Marcy, too, is heavy, numbering, plod-
ding and slow. 1t has, NO doubt, required Of
him three years OF research, study and diplo-
matte correspondence to comprehend the "a
lient points of this case and the impregnable
grounds of justice we occupy. Old Hickory
would have understood all this we'll enough
for an ultimatum in six months; but Old
Hickory is of the stage. Young Hickory holds
the helm, and we have had to wait his conve-
nience. 1t is matter, therefore, rather Of
generalization, than otherwise, that this Cen
trail American imbroglio has not been entirely
set aside, as matter too complex and trouble
some for prompt and conclusive settlement
We concur, then, with General Cas-, that it Is
our duty to sustain the administration in this
exigency, upon the naked 7serits Of the ques-
ton; and that having the right upon our side,
and the strength to maintain it, there is little
to fear Of the ultimate Issue, peace or
war. We are not, on the other hand, like Gen.
Cas-, particularly solicitons that the English
Pa]meYston and Clarendon Ministry shall be
turned adrift. Clarendon, we know, has said
something about " a balance of power" in
both hemispheres; but Gen. James Watson
Webb, from a dinner table conversation with
his lordship, hes assured US that there was NO
thing in it. So, taking our position, we are
content to leave the alternative of peace Or
war even to my Lord Clarendon.
The speech of ". H. Seward out Harod's
Herod, cutting under the Presidents message,
and its able e1pounder, Gen. Cass. Seward
appears to be firmly resolved that neither the
President nor the democratic party shall have
the monopoly Of the war with England, If war
it is to De. The a-ch-agitator accordingly leads
off the black republican party upon the same
tack, proposes twelve months notice to Eng
land to quit her unlawful colonies in Central
America or to fight, and points his abolition
legions to the Canadas, New Brunswick aud
Nova Scotia, as the ansi-slavery acquisitions
that would result to us from another brush with
our ancient enemy. The speech of Seward, as
an argument, is cool, ingenious, ingenious,
technically precise, calm and pacific. He rea-
proposes his twelve months notice for peace
Yet it is manifest that with the British North
American anti slavery provinces in prospect
as one Of the first results Of war, he is ready
even for that alternative: for with the addition
Of the said provinces to the Northern States,
sooner or later, he dreams, perhaps, of demo-
fishing Southern slavery at single blow.
Thus we find General Cas-, the veteran d.
plomat and statesman Of the democratic party
and ". II. Seward, the leader Of the Northern
abolition league against the South, contesting
for the popularity Of decisive measures with
Epgland-peace OF war. Mr.. Mason, of Vir-
GINA, Chairman of the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations, takes, as far as he has
spoken, a more cautious survey Of the field
but not until he and the other leading demo-
cratic Senators Of the South shall have de-
liyered at large their views upon the question,
shall we be qualified for definite conclusion
in the premises. Our impression is that the
South, which is, in every important exigeucy,
the conservative element in our government,
will in this matter interpose its wisdom and IFS
influence, SO as to vindicate the honor OF the
country, and our demands under treaty stipu.
lations, without disturbing our existing rela-
tons Of peace.
At all events, until Wall street shows some
symptoms Of alarm we shall lean to the opin-
ion of Governor Wise, that there is no imme-
date danger Of war. We stick to the antece-
dents of the administration. Where is Cuba?