The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-12-27
Pre.nn, rrmper Of the EnnlI.h Press.

The LONDON TIMES Of December 18th, ouI
latest date, gives its entire editorial attention
to subjects growing out Of the question Of war,
and tho temper In which ii discusses them is
more moderate, now that the first burst of pas
zion has passed. From our American journals
IL gathers tho satisfactory information "that
there is already a considerable party in the
Northern States distinctly anxious to avoid wai
with England !" and, judging from the tone Of
the journals before il, the TIMES thinks it "by
no means impossible that the New York Press
may have decided on the abstract propriety Of
liberating the Confederate ENJOYS before the
arrival Of the British messenger with tho mo-
msntous dispatch" at is plain at any rate, 80
its readers are assured, "that our demand fur
PREPARATION in the affair of the Trent will NOT
have the effect Of uniting all the Americans
against US in a spirit of irrational arrogance OF
blind desperation
Blind, indeed, the TINES thinks must BE-
the fury which would superadd war with
England 90 our "present overwhelming en-
barras,msuts." For it thinks 1t clear tn al tn,
cause Of the Union does not prosper. Nothing
10 yet done on the Potomac, and no importan,
advantage, it tells us, has yet been gained
elsewhere on land, while our great Naval ES-
petition has thus far proved barren OF -
suits" The rebellion, in fact appears to Il o
TInEs as hopeless, as extensive, and 10
complicated as rebellion in China" In Wow
Of such condition Of affairs, it asks If we a.
disposed TO force the English into a war with
US the very fact Of the question seeming 10
indicate disinclination on their part to fore
as TO extremities. Indeed the statement which
the TINES gives at length in another article =,
Of the nature Of Englandls complaint against us
proves, what we have already stated, that it
is Of too purely technical character 70 threaten
any other conflict than that OF diplomacy.
In answer to letter from j. RASDoLru
CLAY, formerly Charge d Affairs of the United
States at ST. Petersburg and Vienna, the TINE,
Admits that the right Of search of neutral YES
sOls il a part Of the Law Of Nations, but dc
clares that We have gone beyond its limits IL
reason and propriety in Selling Messrs. MAso'
and SLInIsLL as we did. The point upon whicl
England takes its stand, it says, is, that no
thing can be cSntraband Of war until il has bee
the as eItion that MASON and SLIDELI. wer
''contIaband Of war;" il further declares tina
sit was not possible that the Trent, going fIor
a neutral port to a neutral port, could carr
contraband of war"
The TINES pleads not guilty. to our charge
completely with the rebels, declaring that hid
erto II cannot be so much as pretended that "
have had any reason TO complain Of the Ens
lish, beyond the sentimental one that they hav
looked with Goodness on our efforts 10 mali
tain domestic union at the point Of the swor'
''In that respect, however" /. adds, " the yer
events Of the war have justified our views. TIL
attempt which we thought was hopeless has az
tually proved 50 nor has there been a prcdi'
ton OF this kind hazarded which has not Doc
fulfilled. In all mAterial respects we hav
done az much for them us they could desire. W
have not only Abstained from interference
with q blockade which was pAraly zing on