New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-07-19
GREAT BRITAIN.
THE WAR DEBATE IN THE LORDS.
From The London Times, July 8


Last evening there took place IN the House OF Lors
one of those debates for which that assembly u Ia
nous. Lord LyDdburst and Lo'd Stratiord de he'd
clife called attention to the shortcomings OF our ma
tioDa defenses and urged onthe Government the ne
cesSty of precautions against the ambition OF the
French Emperor and the warke passions of the peo-
pie be governs. Both spoke ably and well, and pro-
duced cor siderable effect all who heard them.
They expressed, indeed, the opinions which all men
acquainted With the Continent hold with respect 20 our
relations with foreign powers. IL requires but hn-
tied experience Of Continental society TO be aware OF
the in jealousy with which the gre ress the Sc
carty- and above all, the moral superiority OF TINS
country are regarded; and no fail TO notice
that il is chiefly those who have been thrown by TIE
accidents of their career into close connection with
foreigners who the most anxious for the fun arc
wel-prepared defense If our coasts. While the do
nestle politician may deude himself with visions OF
eternal anity and of the desire of the French to cult
vae Oay the arts of peace, the dponatst or the res
dent in foreign lands invariably brings back to his own
country intelligence OF the feeling which prevails
agains u.s. aud tells earnestly how strong is the i'm.
preston on his mind that the Liberties of England Will
In our time be imperiled by the arms Of, perhsps
coalition OF Continental nati0ns.
Lord I.yDdhurst with all the argumentative ability
which belongs him, AMI with that strength Of mem
DRY which is lis not less remarkable characteristics,
laid before the Peers the dangers of our situation and
the deficiency Of the PREPARATIONS We hsd made 20 NEE.
them. lie compared our stu alton with that which we
occupied in past tues, and drew conclusions unayOra-
Die 10 safety honor and our dignity IN tue eyes
Of the world. In former times England had the
mand Of tie sea- and could not only defend her Own
shores but carry the every coast of the enemy
The arms of this country were Triumphant and
land. The lSt of June, CamperGown, the Nile aud
Trafalgar established our naval snpremscy while he
campaigns Of Egypt and the Peninsula showed the
powers of the British soldier In those days one
would have dared 10 call in question the superiority OF
the British feet. II had fought every sea, and
every had been victorious. II was not only far
superior in numbers all the other naves of the world
combined but the ships of hostile Powers, when put
to sea- only added to iis resources since they
captured as they were met We forbear to 20
into the statistics quoted by Lord Lyndhurst. Suffice
is To Say that be showed how completely the soveg
eighty Of the seas belonged 10 Engs when he vls
middle aged man, and how doubtful tina. proud pre-
yogative had become now thai he IS addressing bis
brother Peers in extreme old age
The change in the position Of this country is not
serted by any to be the result OF any weakness or
decsde1ce. Englshfnen preserve even more than
their former maritime superiority over Frenchmea.
In the Says o. the French Convention the teets Of the
Republl, were manned by race Of seauen TO whom
France has now nothing equal, regard being hsd to
the general adyaSce Of maritime enterprie. The old
monarchy was oGlonizng and seafariDg power far
more than tie France Of later days and Il was the
vbo supplied merca Il marine not far inferior 10 that
Of Erpand uho Tough; The bloody battles Of the Amer
lean and Revolutionary wars against us. ms sp-
prosch 10 equality 10 .olger exists: Inc French
mercantile marine numbers now hardly one-tfh the
tuprspe cf that Of England Few ships OF large size
exist French steamers only ravlga'e the placid
Alters Of the Mediterranean TIE great liners which
traverse every ocean under the British Tag are only
objects Ct woldeTing envy ~ the peep.s % Napoleon