Worcester daily spy., 1861-12-03
THE MASON AND sL1DELL AFFAIR.


from her Mason and Slidell, put British
man-of-war on the Adger's track. 1t is added
that this watch was continued until 1t was
certain that the American war vessel hau
different purpose. This statement mas oeeh
telegraphed all over the country, as II II were
true. and some of our contemporaries take II
as an indication of British temper towards
us. Nevertheless it is very absurd
The mail steamer Trent does not go to Eng
land. She stops at ST. Thomas, where her
passengers for Europe take another vessel
and those who were with Mason and Sldell
were not due in England until about the 2oth
of November. The British government,
knowing all this very well, could not have
supposed that the James Adger was in British
waters to overhaul the Trent, nor that she
was expecting TO tind those men there on board
any vessel, at that time. 1t would be ridicu-
lous 10 suppose that government poorly in
formed in regard TO the movements Of the
Trent as the correspondent of the Times ap-
pears to have been.
The British government may complain of
the seizure of Mason and Slidell. We pre-
sume that such complaint will be made, but
this matter alone can not lead TO any serious
disturbance between the two countries. When
people wish to quarrel it does not take them
long to find or make pretexts for doing SO.
When they do not wish TO quarrel, their misun-
derstandings are usually settled without much
difficulty We have no desire to quarrel with
England, and the British government cannot
seriously desire quarrel with us. There is
undoubtedly class of men in Great Britain
who would rejoice to see complete downfall
of republican institutions in America, but they
do not constitute the whole people. And, be-
sides, war with US, even under present cir
cumstances, would be disastrous to England,
who needs to buy our grain and TO sell US her
manufactures. Such a war would be worse to
her than complete failure OF cotton. We of
course do not seek such a war. Therefore it
will not come. ANY dispute that may arise
will be settled amicably.
The Mason and Slide affair will undoubt-
edy bring up again between the two countries
the old question concerning the right of
~
of 1872, has never been completely settled.
Great Britain has claimed the right to take
the subjects of her government from any neu-
tral vessel. The New York Tribune has sug-
gested that Mason and Slidell are not worth 10
us SO much as a settlement in our favor Of this
old dispute. In our view the very best use
TO which we can put those gentlemen is TO
done, perhaps we may as well sell them for an
important diplomatic advantage, if we can do
So. Their presence in Europe could not do us
much harm, certainly not six months hence,
at the end of polite and elaborate negotia-
ton.
The exultation that arose among US when
the news came that Mason and Slidell had
been taken, came not so much from con
seriousness of great advantage 10 be derived
from the capture, as from satisfaction at de-
feating the plans OF these rebel riEgleaders
and getting them into our power. They did
not reach Europe, nor are they likely to do SO
this winter Their midnight departure from
Charleston in the Theodora and their sue
cessful csc pc from the harbor On one OF the
darkest nights OF the season, SO exullingy
described BY the Charleston papers, came to
nothing. They did not get away, aud we all
think OF this with ineXpressible satisfaction.
We find in it a rich triumph over two OF the
most malignant ringeaders of ofIebelion. They
ought to be hung. Ii treason is ever to be
punished, it should receive punishment in this
case. But il would be necessary to try them
in the locality where their crime has been
committed, and it is not likely that they will
at present be brought to Justice.
If any good use can be made of them in the
course OF our diplomacy, we at least, shall not
be sorry. And to put them to such a use
would be far better than to keep them imprs.
oned awhile only 10 release them at the re-
quest of some good union man." who has
more tenderness for traitors than zeal for put.
ting down rebellion. We hear that Ex-Sena-
tor Gwinn and one or two other men of like
character are TO be released at somebody's re-.
quest. We do not know the circumstances,
but presume the government is doing what is
proper. Nevertheless, it would give us quite
as much pleasure TO "swear ratlesnakes and
let them go, as TO see the government release
Slidell and Mason, at somebody's request,
without any political or diplomatic gain what
ever.
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