The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-20

all ldlu III aSileS. DOtS IL lipl ioJh AhS
retribution of Providence, and an omen and
tyne of the future destruction Of the rebel
lion ,"
Opinions of the Press on the British Diff.
Guilty.
From hr Boston DGiy .idre,tiser.
England appears to have prepared herself
to trea, this question of international lava
question which should be debated Of right i'll
the temperate discussions CT dirlomacy,-as
a case to be decided by an imperative demand.
coupled with distinct menace of war. With
no disposition to do anything towards intiam-
ing the Indignation which this proceeding
will arouse, it is our duty TO declare that this
is course Of dealing which under other cir
cumstances England would not have follow
ed We d. not charge her with presuming
upon the embarraSsments in which she now
finds the United States government: but We
fear it is but too certain that, with q strong
previous bias in favor of speedy cessation
of our civil conflict by peaceable division of
the Union, she has now resolved to seize this
opportunity to throw her great weight into
the scale, in the hope Of abruptly terminating
contest, from the continuance of which she
no doubt suffers, and the issue of which Idly
supposes to rest with her. The crisis is one
which will call for all the iirmness and all the
calm Judgment of the administration. The
demand OF England must be met temporarily.
with full recognition Of the vast consequent
ces that NAV ensue from the course now re-
solved upon: it must also he met with reso-
IL !
tenance o. cur own rights which the national
honor requires, and with that Indifference to
all menace which is consonant with the Spir-
it of the American people. With the exer-
else of those high qualities which We believe
may be found in the present administration. we
trust that the crisis may be passed without
serious results; bat We are assured that the
sentiment of the country will brook no tame
submission or abandonment of national hon
or.
From tie BoSton Post.
War between two such nations as England
and :he United States would be the SUNNI,
OF political crimes Neither can afford to be
in the wrong III such war when it makes its
appeal to the civilized world: and that gov
eminent would be in the wrong which cast a
deliberate insult on the nationality OF thu
other. No two countries enjoy so much OF
political rights that are common; no two
countries can DO so much good to each other
: in state OF peace or so much harm in a
state OF war. Even now, with a g gantic civ
il war on our hands, We are in a fair way to-
$ wards 4 resumption OF the vast commercial
} intercourse that is SO mutually Beneficial
The orders that have gone forward for i'm
) ports for tn" spring trace are very large
I w,!.r or exports have swe.lei 10 unexpected
: PROPORTIONS. Is al this. ard the immediate
: future o. trade, TO amount TO nothing? Ar
We really 10 see civilization itself put hacl
n for centuries BY such a suicidal struggle?
L the terrific blight OF war to spring tIom al
= occasion no sravei than the doubtful case uIl
: der discussion? Should the worst come L
: the wOrSt.he arrest of Mason ard Sl.de!l VII
ne but the pre;eXt-the real cause viii assur
ed!v lie deeper than doubtful point OF inter
national law But every friend to progres
= must hope for a peaceab.e issue of this CON
:. plica,ion. L., the two cabinets deal wiz
the question calmly and justly, and in tn
spirit that ought 10 animate two powerful na
;. lions. ana The world viii be spared the hon
ror OF brholdiug an unnatural conflict. Their
can be but one pain tor the citizen who Won!
=, 90 his duty to the country: and that is I
stand bv the government and the fag. Blu
let it be hoped that the national swor
- NAV never be drawn but 70 defend the RICH
O From, tie y. T. Ero.,,,q Post
- What the general temper Of our peopl
/ may be under this wiltul provocation. couI
: led with any un.ourLed demand which Gre;
e Britain may set up in re@arl to the Tren
a We cannot anticipate. But one thing "
o know, TIE American people We're n-ver in
n better position FOR asserting their own right
- with tirmnes>. and Al the same time, 4 dign
4 fed moderation and st.t-respect. than the
are now. The rebellion. which foreigner
e suppose to have weakened them in their re
n sources. has thus far only tended to bring OF
d their strength. In fact We are now 80 stron
that We can afford to be temperate. We ca
l. afford to say to England and the world thi
: We have sought no foreign wars; that in OF
n domestic policy We have endeGvored onv I
defend and preserve our national inteSri;,
Is that. in our foreign policy. as Mr. Seward
II dispatches show. we have only cul,ivat,
ct peace with all nations. Nothing more cal
did. friendly and masnanmous could |
at required .. ANY people than we have show
ID toward, very other naton. But We al
to strong enough TO say. at the same time. tn
TO We shall submit TO no inSclence. and pa,tic
larry from Great Britain. whose adl.liral
Is laws AMI prtcctents We have carefully oil
E. served. even while she was suffering pra;
H. cal war s"a>c! t. prepare in her ports for ii
n obstruction OF our commerce. Rather tha
IN apologize Tor what is not wrong. ard rath'
RS than surrender to freedom or foreign iuri
v diction the men who have aimed their kniv
le At our national heart. every true America
er man would see himself sunk to the botto
to of the SEA and leave the continent for the O
De cupation OF its women.
From tire Nctr Yora Times.
T. 1t admits his right to visit and search II
j. ship. but insists that he should have tax,
lie her into prize court for adjudication. "
ut are by no means sure that our governmel
10 will not concur at once in this opinion. L
ne deed, the only official utterance we have V
v. had on the subject leans decidedly in tn.
H. directions. The secretary Of the navy, viii
commencing in the warnest terms. tie spir
as and patriotism evinced by Capt Wilkes. cor
el plains that he did not take the Trent he
or se.tnto neutral port, and only forbore t
- ccnsure him for this omission in view of Il
in peculiar circumstances Of the case. In OF