Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-08-24
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THE ENGLSSFE PRESS ON AmERI-
CAN AFFAIFgSs

THE ENGLISH PRESS an a TEEIEI-
CAN AFFAIRS.
From the London Observer Of the 2sth
The American news increases in Importance
every week. The accounts, both civil and
military, are Of a most exciting character
There is 10 lack ef sensation paragrs pbs in
the New York papers. Congress is in full ses-
sion; and there has been something of real
battle in Virginia a. last. The accounts come
Of course, through the northern channels Of
communication: but there is DO occasion
to doubt the correctness Of their general
import, however exaggerated they may
be. This battle Of Rich Mountain seems to
have been gained over party Of southe ners
bv western regiments from Ohio and Indiana.
There have been very few casualties, and
very large proportion of captiyes, and still
greater number os those who escaped-thst is
10 say, who are reported TO have retiTed-in
other words, TO have run away.
The greater part Of Virginia seemed destined
TO fall in'o the hands OF the troops Of the fed
ersl S stes-tbat is to say, Of what remains of
the old Union party; but until they get down
to Richmond, where the southerners have fixed
their government, and around which they have
collected very considerable force, thore ran
Be no decisive result. Il is here and st Nor
folk wAere the real tug Of war may be expected
to take place, if the struggle should really 90
on, for It is here that a stand must be seriously
made. L would seem as if the contest on land
would take the course which We indicated from
the frs and at the newly peOpled, but most
powerful Western States, would become the
srbitrstors Of he contest between he old
States Of the eastern and southern seaboaTd.
They have lesgued with the free States, and
will probably determine the contest-if contest
there should 0e-UPon The land.
But it is upon the sea that the North still re
lies for decisive results. We know from lead
ing men IN the interest Of be Nlrth that they
regard the blockade as the chief means Of
bringing the South 10 terms. The blockade
has been but feebly established as yet, and, in
deed, has been relaxed and broken but it is
OF may become powerful instrument in the
hands Of the shipping interest Of the North.
The sou beTneTs TeIv somewhat on their prva-
teers, and 5hey have had two or three Of them
aflOat already, who have given some trouble 10
the trading vessels in the northern sess. Such
is the state Of the "war,o which is made TO
assume large proportions Oh paper, and in re-
gard to which something terrible is always
"gOing to be done"
But the proceedings in Congress begin to
divide the Interest wish the movement in the
field: the Congress having eutdone the request.
Of President Lincoln, and voted him more Glen
and money than be asked for. They are es
sentlally warlike, and have even gone the
length OF making q show to devote themselves
exclusively to naval and military affairs during
this special sitting. Compromise is scOu ed on
a I sides. and = all talk' against the ''rebels''
is the "ordeT Of the daYo There seems to be
no serious intention to modify the Morrii
tariff, and Mr.. Charles Sumner is the first TO
stir against the f'domestic institution which
30 many pretend to fight about, but which
every Onn-even in the North-seems afraid to
name. still these questions Of trade and of
slavery are OF too much Consequence to be en-
in spite Of ali efforts to keep them down.
Bat amid all this domestic din it IS import
ant 70 regard he relations Of america With
foreign Sta es. The arrangement Of trade will
be felt universally, but By none more than by
The Americans themselves. For while we IN
E rope have enly to regard our relations With
our friends across The " ter, they have to en-
counter not only the disturbance OF their trade
with Us, but with one another. In the mean
time it will, 1t must become a question whe her
we are te consent to have cur communications
Interrupted on the one hand, or contemplate
pTivsteering crusade upon the other. We be
leVe tha French are beginning already to be
VsTV impatient at this rrta ing state Of things,
and we may expect to hear Bri ish merchants
complain loudly IN the event of any Interrupt
tion Of their legitimate trade,
There is an act already passed both Houses
at Washington, which seems TO have excited
FeEN ELLlc dALchttoA la Nb4L PdAiboh 20 ; lAi-
portauce. Congress has giVen~power to the
Executive, by a special enactment. to close
sshe more southern ports, aud TO levy import
duties On shipboard. However a-Teal bl OK
ade must be acknowledged By Her Msjssty's
cruisers, it is clear enough that such paper
blockade as this, founded upon an excep ionai
act OF parliament, will run the risk OF no
long being respected. If they can establish
and maintain an effectual blockade OF the en-
tire coss', well and good. There can be no
disposition anywhere to NEEDLE with be
usages Of civilized warfare. But when a poT-
tion OF State that is disunited attempts to
make up BY exceptional and vindictive pro-
ceedings for the want IF real power, and when
an unwarrantable interruption Of the general
eomEerce Of the seas is attempted to be ef
feeted by such shallow artifces g these, it
win Re time for the nations to interfere for
their own and their HeighboIs' protection.
Tue "Rsro makes DO progress but the in
terruption OF trade, caused BY be playing at
war promises to be prolonged bey ond the pa
tiepue Of all serious men. There are friends
of the Union in the South, If their voices could
be heard. There are friends OF the southern
interest in tie North, If they dare speak but
The material interests Of both viii soon begin
TO preFail over the din Of this absurd conflict.
II not, the more authoritative voice Of Europe
must-however reluetaDtly-makes iself de-
cisivey and effeetually prevail over the hollow
ness and insineerity OF this pTetentious and
shallow strife.