The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1861-12-28
UNITED STATES.


THE EFFECT OF The ENGLISH NEWS
The ~ Y. Herald pretends that the Federal
Administration will not attach much impor-
lance to the denunclations of the British
press, nor will it accept the statement cf the
decision of the British Cabinet as q just ex-
position of the policy of Her Majesty's Gov
eminent. 1t relies upon the sober second
thought of the statesmen of England. After
full examination of the situation of affairs,
the Herald admits belligerent aspect, but
saws that however much John Bull may
buster and try to bluff the Cabinetat Wash
ington he cannot afford to fight. The con-
fscation of debts and loss of Canada will
make England pay the expenses of the
war.
The Washington correspondent Of the
Herald says that the Cabinet was in session
several hours on Tuesday, discussing the
difficulty with England. 1t was decided that,
whatever demands the British Government
might make of the United States, the Con-
federate G Commissioners should never be sur
rendered.
The Herald also says hat in three weeks
not dollar will be left in the National
Treasury. No provision has been made to
replenish it. Wall street is in confusion.
Stocks greatly afected-they had fallen ten
per cent.
Foreign Exchanges has risen to 112
per cent.
There is an entire suspension, stagnation,
and paralysis of business in the city.
1t argues the immediate enrolling of all
young and able-bodied men of the city, to
be drilled for effective military organiza-
ton. In case of a war with England, she
must have another army larger than that
now in the field.
Secretary Cameron wants four millions
seven hundred thousand dollars to put the
coast defences in order.
MASSACHUSETTS is entering With gusto
into the colonization of South Carolina. She
would be happy to take the contract at
ninety days to close out that entire State.
In the recent expedition that left Boston on
the Constitution, houses ready made were
taken out in parts, to be set up at short
notice.
FEDERAL ARMY-Not less than 10000
sick soldiers are now in the hosptalat Louis
vile, and large numbers are in all the camps
between Louisville and Nolin. The sickness
is also of fatal character and those who
have come to invade the State and subju-
gate the people are dying by hundreds.
A HIGH ExAMpLE-At Mr.. Coughs
recent lecture in Albany, Mrs. Gov. Nor
gan, who occupied front seat in the gal
lery, took out her soldiers sock and knitted
vigorously until the time for the commence
ment of the lecture. The next evening the
power of fashion had done its work upon
the susceptible Albanans, and in every
part of the spacious hall ladies were seen
working vigorously with the patriotic yarn
The MASoN-SLIDELL AFFAIR IN En-
RopE.-G Gen. Scott denies that it was in d.
rect obedience to instructions from the gov
eminent at Washington that Commodore
Wilkes perpetrated the outrage upon our
flag.
lie wishes to look uponit as very small
affair, and does not seem to be able to
see that the question of what is contraband
of war cannot be as lawfully determined by
naval officer at sea as by an international
prize court He thinks that; after pub ic
insult has been offered by the officer of one
country to the flag of another, the first thing
to follow is, not a complete restitution, but
an argument between the ministers of the
two countries whether what has been done
in violence might not have been legally ef-
fected in a peaceful manner. General Scott
grievOusly mistakes the feeling of the coun-
try if he believes that good relations be-
tween America and England are to be pre-
served by any such suggestions as these.
Ne hare sent to II aShiagtoa, not 10 open q
controversy, but 10 demand q restitution. When
that IS done we shall be happy to discuss the
other questions at issue at any length the
Americans may please-Loado@ Times.
If the French flag had received such an
insult the whole country would have risen
as one man to demand striking satisfac-
ton Opinion Rationale.
Letters from Berlin state that the situa-
ton of affairs in America is beginning to
produce its effects in Prussia, independently
Of an advance in the price of cotton goods,
the large mandatory at Gladbach has
inst announced that, in a short time, a con-
siderable reduction will be made il its time
Of orking-Loado1 STAR
The FEELING IN TIE WEST INDIES
Advices from amaica West Indies, say that
the Mason and Sldell affair was occupying
public attention there. The Guardian says.
1t remains to be seen-That course the
British Government will adopt in the mat
ter. That it will demand explanation and
apology for the outrage to the national
flag is certain; but will it, in addition, re-
quire Of the American Government the sur
render of the captives? Much will depend
on this; for should it do so, and should the
Americans refuse to give them up-as it is
certain h,y will-We do not see how it is
possible for war between the two p1wers to
be avoided.