The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-07

1hs SLAVE Trade and the Right Of Search
Taue Course for AmerAca and England 60
Puzsue.
The question of the right of search that has
recently been 60 violently resusoitated between
the governments of the United States and Eng.
land is one of the most important embraced in
our foreign policy, 1t may be that 1t involves
the peace Of the two countries; and it is pretty
evident that the policy which may result from
its discussion will have great influence Oh the
future government of the British empire. The
full report Of recent debates on this eubiec J.,
which we publish in another column, will be
read with interest.
A contest is now going on in England for the
possession Of power there during long eeries
of coming years The sudden overthrow of
Palmerston and the rapid wane of bis populari-
ty have left England without political clique
which could rely on q parliamentary majority.
The great party organizations ceased to exist
long since; among the debris, the only poii'i-
Cal schools that give any signs of life are the
Manchester and the Evangelical. The plat
forms Of these may be easily defined That
of the first stands upon the pocket, or the
practical interests Of the nation; the ee-
cond is based upon the abstract or fana-
teal idea. In the recent contest between
the Derby ministry and the "outs," the
former were sustained by the Manchester
school of practical liberals, while Palmerston,
Russell and the hungry leaders Of the opposition
did all they could to court the support Of the
Evangelicals. The ministry of Lord Derby did
not feel strong enough to announce boldly some
new policy in relation to the slave trade and
the right of search, fearing to excite the ire of
the wavering and partially divided Evangeli-
Gals. This is the key to the twistings and turn
ings Of the debates published in another column.
The propagation Of Parliament has given the
present administration lease of power, at least
until the close of the year; and in the meantime
they may lay the foundations of that long con-
tinuance in administration which they hope for,
with the usual short breaks which have charac-
terized the past long holding Of the lip liberal
school
In the contest for power the Derby clique,
with its tory theories has encountered the bit
ter opposition Of the London Times, which looks
to the coming rule of the practical school !;
while the parliamentary leaders Of that school
have given it a temporary support, in order to
perfect the overthrow of the Palmerston aud
Russell cliques. The tories were brought into
power suddenly and unawares, and consequently
they were not prepared with policy adapted
to the new state Of things. The alternate bravado
and trucking of Palmerston had brought the
country into difficulty with France and Naples,
to which suddenly was added that with the
United States 1t had always been manifest
that the tories of England were better disposed
toward the United States than Palmerstou or
any of the semi-liberal school: and in the emer-
gency that was sprung upon them by the Bri-
fish outrages, they evinced disposition not
only to do right by US, but even to crafty our
whims. They are now undoubtedly anxious TO
secure, as the principal plank Of their policy of
government an entente cordiole with this country
If they succeed, it will bring them much closer
to the commercial school that helped them over
their first danger, and elevate them into the
position of sole al'ernates with the Manchester
men in the administration Of government for
the next generation.
But here is the trouble. In order 10 come to
good understanding with the United States,
some Of the old battle horses of the politicians
have to be given up. Chief among these worn
out carcases are the right OF search and the
sea crusade against the slave trade. Now,
these two points have been the favorite ones
Of the Evangelical fanatics, and this party
is too strong yet In England to be defied
They became little frightened at first, when
they saw the excitement which the outrages
Of their cruisers had produced in this
country; knowing that war with us
would sink all the fanatical crusades of TX.
eter Hall into the lowest depths OF Oh.
ivion for the British people, they experienced
equal relief when Lord Malmesbury announced
that the difficulty with the United States was
settled. As soon as they got over their
fright they wanted TO know on what terms
settlement had been made-what points had
been given up by England. Lord Malmesbury
had apparently said that they had given up the
claim 10 exercise the right Of search on Ameri-
can vessels in time Of peace. Mr.. Dallas had
said 20 categorically. All fear Of trouble with
America had passed, and the Evangelicals be-
came exigent. Hence the debates, republished
in another column, and the announcement by
the spokesmen of the Derby ministry that they
had given up nothing, and that the question
with the American government was in abey-
ance. All this confirms the opinions 20 per.
sistently maintained by the HERALD, that the
right of search question is moi yet settled. II
IL not settled; and now comes the question how
TO settle il. We propose this plan to the con.
sideration Of both the American and the English
governments
II is now about forty years since England
turned her attention to the putting down OF
the African slave trade and about the