New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-06-11

We all remember what us<tnl piece ofmschinery
uove.ts and drsmatiste aud melodrsmatists usei
to End n the Press-gspg. Godsmths Contented
Sailor was Knocked down and then bid to stand by
one of these, sad Lady Bellasten conspired with
Lord Fesmsr TO play Tom Jones the same trick
ia order to get him out Of the way OF his designs
on Sophy Western ADD to revenge the sprsts
"injuria Jorm0" fher lsdyshiP. 1t was an engine
of most debolcal tyranny, and WAS made an instru-
meat of cruelty in the last century and the begn-
ming of this that might well compare with the
htt-es ne cdcka Of the old regime of despotism IN
France. For though, theoretically, 1t was to con-
fine its operations to sesfaTing men only. there was
small regard paid TO the pursuits or character OF
the party seized, provided the navy was In need OF
men and ne had no friends TO stand by hm. We
remember an instance of which the authe ntlc ira
diton has come down in family Ne know well.
in which small brakeman, who was emigrating
with his family to this country. something over
fifty years ago. was pressed and sent 10 sea, leay-
ing bis wife and family to shit for themselves.
Our war with England of 1872 was, in fact, oc-
casioued by the right claimed by the British King
of compelling all his sea-going subjects to serve in
the navy Whenever the necessities of the kingdom
required it, From this was deduced the right to
visit the ships of all nations, and seize such free
born Brions as had taken service under other flags
and carry them off to help Britannia to rule the
waves and to prove that
Billions never, never, never will b- slaves"
Hence arose that genuine 81 British outrage Of
the Leopard on the Chesapeake. That, to be- sure,
was apoogized and atoned for, after fashion, but
only on the ground that the Chesapeake WAS a
national ship. TIE right of visiting merchant ships
in search of seamen suspected of British parentsge
was eth maintained and exercised, and was not
renquisbed at the end of three years fighting by
the Treaty of Client. As is generally the case with
wars the original quarrel was left just where it was
at the beginning Sailors Rights which formed
the watchwOrd of the conflict, remained IN stata
quo when the two nations had had their belyiull of
tsticuhs about them At that time the British
pride lust at its hight after the allied victories over
Bonaparte, would have submitted to no such terms
as that And We were in no condition to cope with
her after she was rid of her great adversary
Happily this barbarian is done away with for
ever Though the right Of impressment has not
been formally relinqushed, it is practically sbsn-
doned At the beginning of the Crmean war the
Ministry, on being interpellated in Parliament as
to their intentions in this particular, replied that
they did not propose enforcing this prerogative
at that time, and it never be revived again IN
the light Of the present day. much more rational
as well AS more humane method of manning the
navy has been resorted to, and with entire success
A proclamation has been issued offering bounty
of ten pounds to every able entering himself
before certain day, and five poundsto every ordi-
nary seaman, and two pounds to every able-bodied
landslnsn. This wise economy of men and money
resulted almost Immediately. IN large addition to
the naval forces of the best Kind Of men. The
Improvement which has been effected in the treat
ment Of the common sailors in the British Navy,
and their increased pay, will do more to keep them
from seeking employment in the service Of foreign
nations than any strctness Of prohibition or sever-
ty OF penalty. II will be remembered that the
British commanders explained their defeats in 30
many naval combats during the war OF lsl2 by
the asserted fact that the American Navy was
manned by British sailors to great extent. This
will, probably, not happen again
The present aspect of things in Europe does DOT
encourage one 70 anticipate the near approach OF
that Good Time, which the worthy Dr. Charles
Mackay, instructed in poetic vision, assures US Is
Coming. Still there are signs which may give us
hope that it is nearing the horizon. The pen has
not yet superseded the sword, most certainly; bu!
il has begun to temper its ferocties and dlmn-
ism its crueties The condition OF the private
soldier s vastly improved within the last score or
two of years The press watches over the progress
Of campaigns, and controls or modifes them by Its
criticisms. Emperor Bonaparte turns printer, and
carries his own special press along with him for
the surer manufacture of his lying bulletins, in
vain. The lightning is chained up and forbidden
to carry true messages along it, magic pathway to
the ends of the earth, but to no purpose. The
secrets Of courts as web of prison-houses viii
reveal themselves and revelation is the necessary
antecedent Of reformation. Subjects viii get grow
too wise 10 let their soyeregns play at their fayor-
i've game of war forever. Men will not always
suffer kings to spoil their toy, the world, for their
amusement; and the necessity of their respecting, in
zone degree the rights and lettering the condition
Of those Of their subjects whom they use as their
il struments in their pastme, is one of The portens
of impending political changes which cannot but be-
for the better, and not for the worse.