Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-23
The British Government Makes the
Issue OF War or HumiIiatiOn.

NJ MIKES the
Issue OF War or Humiliation.
The arrest Of the British mail steamer Trent,
and the capture of Mason and SLIDELL by Capt.
WILKES. were acts fully justified BY the Repub
lican party and the Administration were almost
frantic with joy even over news of the event
1t can not be denied that the Administration fully
approved of the act of WILKES, and this justii
cation was based upon the rights of beligerents
under the laws of nations Upon the day that
Congress assembled, LovEJoY, of Illinois, pro-
posed a vote of thanks to Captain WILKES for
his arrest of these arch rebels, and the resolution
was unanimously passed. Secretary WELLEs in
a formal letter, which must have had the appro
val of the Cabinet, congratulated the command
er of the San Jacinto upon his brilliant exploit,
and the great service he had rendered the country
in arrestng Mason and SLIDELL. In his regular
report. Mr.. WELLEs not only justifes the arrest
of these rebels, but he stated that it was an act
of generous forbearance, a precedent which
would not be followed in case of similar infrac-
tons upon our rights by foreign Governments,
that the Trent had not been captured and been
brought into our ports as prize. The Republi-
cans generally ridiculed the idea that the English
Government would regard the act of Captain
WILKES as insult to the British flag, and de-
clared that if it did, it would not dare to demand
redress, and the whipping of England, in case she
should push the matter to the extremity
Of war would be but breakfast job for our Gov
erument And now the issue is upon US, which
the more sagaciOus and cool headed citizens an
ticipated would be the result of the seizure of
Mason and SLIDELL. under the circumstances
which attended it, The English Government, in
language mild and courteous, pronounces the act
infractiOn of maritime law, an insult to its
flag, and demands the return of Mason and Sill
DELL. In case our Government declines this de-
mand to place them as it found them, under Brit
ish jurisdiction, then Lord Lyons and his entire
suite are directed to cease official intercourse
with the Government, and leave the country.
The anxious inquiry now is, what will Mr.
LINCOLN and his Republican cabinet do? Will
they, in the language of our Republican neigh
Dor, the Journal, let England understand that
the men who have whipped her twice can do it
again" or. will they drop down from their stills
and humiliate themselves, the party they repre-
sent. and thus The nation, by yielding to the de
maHd of our l'sice naughty foe as a military ne
eessity' Rather than a rupture with England
ROU. anticipate the Administration will com
Dly with the requirements of the British Govern
ment for reparation. IF such should be the case.
under the circumstances which have attended the
affair, what American citizen will not feel hum
II n . -
representatives of our Govenment--their lack
of sagaeity and craftsmanship? a very small boy
could not have been more delighted with his first
new top, or cut up more antics on the occasion,
than did Mr. LINCOLN and his advisers upon the
news ofthe capture of these two rebels And how
brave were their vauntings as 70 any anticipated
difficulty with England therefor. They knew,
or should have known the sympatbieso of the Eng
fish Government in our national troubles aud an
ticipated that this arrest, If upon other ground,
would be made pretext for giving material "ald
and comfort co our enemies. Far seeing states
manship would have prevented the issue now
forced upon US. by promptly removing 10Y just
occasion for it. Suppose Mr. LIScoLS bad
promptly. upon the arrival of the San Jacinto
with MAsoS and SLI3ELL. had sent them to their
destination, even upon the very vessel that had
brought them here, alleging that he had no fear
oftheir Vaccinations, and to show to the British
Government and the world that he did not desire
even to give the appearance of disturbing our ex-
isting friendly relations with that Government
That would have oeen polite act not only, but
TO use a homey phrase, center shot at the re
bellion. But what can we expect when we have
no statesmen az the head of the Government?
The Republican leaders had made one victory
MAsos and SLIDELL we're captured and they were
intoxicated with the triumph. Mr.. LINCOLN and
bis Cabisset had got new top and chiId-hke they
must play with it. They couldn't see that il Gas
a dangerous pIaything. And now these men
will do under menace the very thing which If they
had voluntarily done, would have strengthened
them and the Government. If we surrender Ma.
SOY and SLIDELL, under the circumstances the
ease has assumed, il will be confession Of weak
ness by the Administration. Mr.. L1ScoLx and
the Cabinet seaffected 70 underrate the char.
acter Of the rebellion and the resources of the
rebeis- From the beginning il has been given
oar that tle rebellion could easily be put down.