The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-31

wheat reported taken mostly ct the above fures
and 400 bales Of cotton for Liverpool at 1924.
The Senate DiseuaAion on the British Out.
rsges-Giittesing GeneraIities versus Admit
nistrative Responsibility.
The debate in the Senate on Mr. Mason's re-
port presents a curious contrast, and to those
who do not remember our political history we'll
would seem to prove that the opponents of the
administration are more ready for action on the
porters Of Mr.. Buchanan.
Mr.. Mason does not come up, in that report,
to the just expectations of the country, and Hale,
Seward, Douglas and Wilson on one side, and
Toombs on the other, have taken a far more
energetic and popular view, in appearance, than
have the democratic Senator'S.
This patriotic ebullition of national feeling,
however, on the part Of the black republican
leaders, is not the true sentiment of their fac
ton. Their real feelings can be found in the
black republican journals of the North, which
are endeavouring to palliate in every possible
way the course of the British government In
outrsging our commerce upon the sea- But IL
has always been the policy of these fsctious
leaders to assert seeming patriotism when In
opposition. In lsl0-l2, Josiah Quincy and the
other federal leaders In Congress, were continu-
ally asserting that Mr.. Madison could not be
kicked into a war with England. Yet, no
sooner was war declared than they opposed 1t
in every possible way, hwarting the govern
ment by a factious opposition, and finally end
,prx n, IIar ford lsrkx
vention that was 30 odious to the country.
The same faction pursued similar course to-
ward Mr.. Polk In 1896. Webster and tho other
opposition leaders were loud-mouthed In their
patriotic speeches on Mexican insolence and
Mexican outragcs. Yet no sooner was war be-
gun than they did all they couldto defeat it's
prosecution to victory. They voted en- nlass
against the appropriations for blankets and clio
thing for the troops, just as their predecessors
had done In 1872 against similar appropriations
for the troops on the Northern frontier. Mr..
Webster uttered the exaggerated statement that
the war was costing us half a million day. and
that II would ruin the country, with its neces-
sary concommittant, onerous taxation.
There is a logical reason for this hollow ex-
hibition Of patriotic feeling on the part of the
faction in opposition. They seek 10 embarrass
the government by it. They deal in gilt
tering generalities-which they are perfect
ly free to do-for not being in admins
iraticn their Iutterances carry no response
hili;y with them On the other hand.
lie administration can only act without
proclaiming the action they intend to adopt.
They cannot seek popularity by protesting
great patriotism. and telling what they mean TO
do; for such course might defeat the very ends
they have in view. This is the precise position
occupied by the opposition and the adminstra-
ton at the present time. One feels itself
safe In the preaching of glittering generali-
ties by its leaders, while the other,
loaded with the weight of responsibility
for the final success of our American policy
sends It's ships to sea with scaled Instruction.
for the purpose Of interposing American cannon
between our ships and British insolence and
directs our representative in London to make
known TO the English government the firm de-
termination of this country, and TO demand an
immediate disavowal of the recent proceedings
Having taken these steps, IL must wait their re-
suit as any Incorporate action might involve
the necessity Of retrograde step, and thereby
do us real injury.
III the British cruisers should not desist from
their course, We are confident that the admins
tration would not contemplate with displeasure
the arrival of the Styx Jasper, Buzzard and
dozen more, at some American port, prizes of
NOR IN our ehine We hona tbo Copato ,r;ii -
coed 10 act up to the spirit Of the remarks by
the opposition Senators; and We shall keep their
speeches on file, in order TO hold them to their
doctrine hereafter. in case any attempt Ia made
TO get up new Hartford pro-British Conven-
ton at Syracuse or elsewhere, with Fred Doug.
lass {nigger) as orator-inchief In the mean
time we commend the speeches Of Hale, Sc
ward, Douglas and Wilson TO the perusal of our
black republican contemporaries, who are