The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-02
An EnsJish View Of Oar Political
Treu nles-Mr. Russrsa's Lcstrrs from the
6OutM.

An EnsJish View Of Oar Political
Treu oles-Mr. Russssa's Lcssrrs from the
6outh.
Considerable curiosity has been manifested
beth here and abroad oonoernlrg the nrst let
ter from this country Of M. Russell, the cor
respondent OF the London Tines In England
it has been Anx;ousiy looked for, ~ being like
IL to throw soms fresh light on the tangled
web Of American politics, at all times Difficult!
of comprehension TO foreigners. Here the IN
terest excited in regard 10 1t attached rather
to the individual than TO his mission. People
were curious TO see how clever Journalist,
gifted with great suickness OF observation and
descriptive powers O. no common order would
acaut hinsef Of task In which snch writers
as Dickens, Captain Hall, Mr.. Trollope, Miss
Mar.ineau and host Of other literary celebri-
ties had so sgnslly faded.
Mr. Russell's opening letter IS now before us.
Itdces not dsappoint u; formuch as VIC admire
the ability Displayed ia bis Crimea1 and Indian
correspondence, we did not expect 10 find his
first Impressions Of this country marked by
his usual scundness Of views and accuracy as
to faots. tits one thing to describe the stirring
incidents Of campaign. or the abuses Of sys-
ten like that Of the English administration in
kdia, and another TO analyze correctly con-
dition Of society and institutions which presents
80 many complicated, and, to the European
mind. so maay incomprehensible phases.
1t "a not to be wondered at therefore, if, after
. residence n this country Of only few weeks,
the Impressions termed Of it By the London
Times correspondent should present some
strange blunders. He has been living life Of
SO much excitement for the last few years, and
been 80 accustomed to the noisy demonstra-
tons Of the mercurial populations with whom
he has been brought in contact, that he could
not understand the calmnesS and equanimiy
Of the people Of New York under their
present troubles. That they should take
matters so coolly whilst the Ulion was
threatened with dissolution passed his belief.
MI Russell forgets, or rather he Yves unable to
appreciate the fact when he wrote this letter,
that in their hearts the people of the North
never did believe, and do not believe now,
that the Union Is mersced by any such danger.
Seven Of the Southern States lad rebelied
against the authority of the general govern
uent; but although they felt il their duty TO
exhaust every means of Cancellation to bring
them back to reason, they knew that they pos
sessed the power to coerce them into cbedi.
ence when they chose to exercise it. When,
Therefore, Mr. Russell enlarges upon the apathy
which he Witnessed amongst the people Of New
York On his arrival, no is evidently unable to
reconcile the latent energy and calmnes5 which
ere the distinguishing features Of the American
character. We do not 60 frantic under The
missor.unes by which We are visited simply be-
cause VIC have reliance upon our ability TO
overcome them. The events of tie last fort
night will DO doubt have taught our English
censor that his estimate Of the patriotic sensi-
bilities Of the North was founded on the most
superficial grounds.
lie makes some curious statements rs TO the
opinions expressed to him By leading mer-
chants here, on the causes Of orr present
troubles and their remedy. They snecred, he
says, at universal suffrage, vote by ballot,
free citizenship and o free press; asserted
there was no recnperatiye power in the con-
stit,ltion and maintained that New York would
do anything rather than fight her delight
Mr.. Russell seems to have fallen into curious
company during his brief sojourn amongst
us. We are afraid that, shreTd as he is, he
got amongst knot Of practical jokers, and
was extensively crammed, like SEINE of his
unhappy predecessors in the tourist line.
Certainly we recognise in the sentiments which
he puts Into the mouths Of our leading mer-
chants nothing Of the spirit which came for
ward 30 promptly at the first appeal of the
government TO the patriotism Of the North,
and poured forth money like water to
defend it. There may be persons hold
ing such opinions in our community,
but they are very few, il any, and in all pro-
liability belong to That old ard uninauential
class OF foreign traders who have never taken
the naturalization oath Or modified their Eu-
ropoan preiudices.
We ere sorry for Mr.. Russell. he Is man
OF very different stamp from Mr.. Woods, the
correspondent whom the London Times sent
out to accompany the Prince Of Wales and we
should regret to see him vreckisg fair repu-
tation by the carelessness and hippanoy which
distinguished that individual. His letters, If
ccnscientiously written, con do great good
abroad. by correcting mistaken Impressions as
to the character and objects Of The patriotic
effort now being made by the North. Per-
yerted in favor Of bad cause, they are sure
to recoil upon himself, and to lose him the
esteem in which be is so generally held
WHAT Is 70 Ri DoSE OrGHT TO BE DoSE
Qu1oNY-There is no time TO be lost In deal
ing with the rebellious States The most prompt
and energetic action Is required on the part Of