Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-25
The AttItude OF the British Government
Toward the Lincoln Government.


| Fren the New York Herald, septsmber "A
/ The intelligence lately receieed that the British
army in Canada is to be reinforced during the pres
ent month BY p 500 men is, if reliable, and when
viewed IN connection with the present stale of sf-
fairs, both significant and portentious. We make
this qualification because We have not been uuEble
to find any statement in English files eorrObora
tive of the report telegrsphed from Cape Race, a
circumstance, however, which Of itself does not
disproTe the truth of the latter We therefore
frame our argument accordingly Ifit were an
isolated act, and this country, instead of being in
VolVed IN vital struggle for its own national ex-
isenee, was peace we should regard the increase
OF the British forces beyond the border as only in
tended for the additional protection of British terri
tory, dictated by policy we should lit l. care TO
investigate. But when for some months past the
course Of England toward this country has been to
excite our serious appreheusions of violent rup-
ture at no distant date-when we see Notifications
that were always iR good repair being brought
up to pitch Of unusual strength and efficiency,
and powerful fleet OF line of battle ships and gun.
boats addg to the usual North American SQUADRON.
we naturally attach more than ordinary Importance
to an eveat like the present. and the more especially
as 1t follows close upon a similar reinforcement
which Of sufficient extent at the time TO arouse
strong suspicion this side of the Atlantic of the
motive which induced it,
Moreover, the language employed by British
statesmen has more than once betrayed opinions
not at all reconcilisbie with friendly feeling to-
ward this country, and we have seen letter from
Lord John Russell relating to the annexation of San
Domingo, which clearly shows that he has since the
outbreak Of the rebellien locked upon it as certain
to be successful. He speaks of the Northern and |
Southern Confederations Of North America as fixed
facts, and alludes to the probability of their form
ing an alliance at some future time for the purpose
Of resentng the aggressive interference of Spain in
the New World Such references to the independent
national existence of the rebelious States are both
uncalled for and offensive. But they serve verv
well to enlighten us upon the subject Of official
views in England from which we may infer the SOL
icy of government always jealous Of our great |
repubicanism, and as q consequence by no means
averse TO our overthrow.
To confirm Us in the belief that this movement ia
precursive of hostilties toward the United States
we learn that the London Times, while calling upon
the English government to develop the cultivation
Of cotton in India, says it will waive all scruples
when the prosperity Of the country and the exis- |
fence Of millions at stake. This MEANS we pre-
sumo, that the British government will have no !
hesitation in breaking our blockade in order to get
cotton whenever the demand for that commodity in
Lsncashire becomes sufficiently pressing IL NAV
be thought that this can be done with something /
ike impunity when the Canadian garrisons ar: ,
made strong enough to resist any invasion of that
country by Americans; but no more fatal mistnke |
could prompt an evil action, and no greater disaster
iOud occur to Enela than war with this republic
Whatever may be the intention of the British gov
arnmeDt however, the United States is prepared for
are being increased and put in the best working
order, besides undergoing all the improvements
which modern science can suggest, while those we /
have captured from the rebels are about to be | i
armed with rited cannon, and be made "a imDreo.
lable as possible. Meanwhile our immense army
md navy are daily receiving sccessons and becom-
Dg more formidable their strength. We have | !
hus every reason to be confident Of our over 10 !
prevent Great Britain successfully carrying into
execution those plans which her dubious policy 7
lOes not fail to isdcate and to which the absence
If scruples IN the management of her international
'ffsirs would oppose no obstacle +
As reason for the dispatch Of so large forcs !,
o Canada 1t may be alleged By the British Govern Il
nent that It was in consequences Of an apprehension
hat an attempt might be made at the annexation of
janada to the United States, and a simple mea 4
ure of safety during the war in this country But 4
10 such explanation will be accepted by the people
f the United States those IN England who are II
ognzqns Of the real objects the government have !,
n Tiew-the idea Of our invading Canada without n
he provocation of war with England being ab- z
urd. We say this because we have no doubt the
government will be asked for an explanation of a lt
roceeding. which, judging by the Parliamentary
nd press remarks uPon the original reinforcement OF
certain to provoke strong opposition in England Al
nd may not unlikely lead to change of adminis- Il
ration The significance of the act Of sending such
large body Of troops to swell the already IN b
sualy large military force in Canada is increased hG
y . simultaneous change in the g0vernsrshIp Of th
be colony. Sir Edmund Head ia to be superseded G
y Lord MOnel, an Irish peer, who will doubtless
ct upon special instructions and be the willing in eI
trument Of the present ministry. s.
It will be fortunate for England If the absence of OF
large portion Of her naval and military strength 4,
these waters does not open convenient Oppor- Al
unity for Louis Napoleon to carry into execution "
1me of his faTorite European projscts. Of which n
annexation Of the island of Sardinia is among n
he least And it viii be well, in any case for her N
profit by our warning advice that breaking the 3,
loeksde maintained BY the United States govern
L., et., IL ~ / =.
la2ter in her history, Her shipping would be 10
Tept from the seas ten millions Of her people N