The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-12-21
Rifbmano Dispatfb.
SATURDAY MORNING -. DEC. II, lsel

~
ESelsND's 0proRrU>irt Now il kng
isud's opportunity, IL may never again oc-
,er. Seized and Great Britain remains FOR
ali time the leading power among the nations
ratil the last ten Years her supremacy was
mndisputAa Since the conquest of California
and the discovery of liz gold new power has
snrrlng Suddenly into the advance, aud dared
u contest with her the precedence IN resources
and power For while. this formidable rival
bid fair TO make its claim good Suddenly civil
disruption has paraly wed the yonng empire
and one Of the chief elements of lis strength
aud wealth has seeded from the Inien.
The alliance this seeding political power is
ss desirable to England as its association was
valuable 10 the North. The present oppoStu-
nifty offers Great Britain an ally more valuable
than that Of tho whole European continent,
ensuring her rredominence in the family Of
nations, and e!lectuslly hanAhiin. tbs prsten-
sons and curling the aspirations OF hor lau-
kee rival
England was obliged about this time, by
some expedien. OF other, by means either
Iair or foul, 10 open the Southern ports Tor
the expectation Of cotton Cotton was a ne
esaAify TO her and to kranee 81 ur.ent 4s 10
override Ill calculations of loss and damage
from WAT u sufficient cause OF war had
lot been voucbsafed IL her, she would have
Lad 10 find one by the exercise OF diplomatic
ingenuity or manu- lfrture Il 30 hand
quarrel was ueccasary, even il there had
been no apple OF discord providantlaliy dropped
down in the path. The Yankees themselves
Il : - a
England loses not one moment n making II
the ground OF demands as righteous is they
are impossible Of concession.
The eXiScue;os Of tAe cotton question rem
derod q collision between Great Britain ANA
lie North inevitable with single reference /"
that special suo5eet- But deeper cagses and
more general considerations couspire 10 III
eare collision al this time. However ass ured
lie South may feel OF hUr ability 10 lnaintAln
her prerenf movement for independence that
assurance i hot tet 10 the saGue eAteLi across
The water. For EU3land 10 stand sill and
witness the success Of the North III estab,ish-
ING he integrity OF It's dominion on t1is Con.
tinent would have been virtually 10 consent
Is step down herself to . secoudary rank
aInou, the ding powers OF the earth. With
cotton and gold, and iron and coal, in unrI
vailed quantities and excellence. al al com
Ioand and liz ant horIty unquc-Jioued within tue
Va-t boundaries which marked the domain
ii the American Union on this C0uc.ueu,.
i've years more Of additional growth anu
multiplication would have given tne Yankee
power uIdlspG.ei aseeudenoy IN tie iamIly
OF nations Is very struggle with the south
II resulting IN success, would have placed it,
power and prestige Oh an indI-putAUte basis.
Ii is plain to all the world, it Is papabe to
England herself. that the vital words tor her
s,re - strike now, strike never. IL IL the
universal ssiief OF Eauhind that England has
long beeu plotting the separation that has
How taken place in the / uited States and
that the present opportunity is one for winch
abe bAs been tniliug with anxious care ana
industrious energy ior half ii century. Ii this
10 true. 1t would be piece Of seii stuliiiica
tlon TO lose the golden opportunity that .. las,
presents itself. If however, lhir rharoa
Atainst lie iarreachirg and all embr.ciry
= ateSmanshlp OF that country Ice false. still
The imperative impulse OF selt-preservation
would drive her Into against the North
~ the present r0EiuncfuFe That the North
End England are rivals ii every single one of
their interests. Is known to every man Of
reflection in both countries; and not 10 expect
collision when so fair an opportunity aud SO
palpabie tan excuse presents itself 10 tile pre-
nant, would Re Ia expect human nature to
have changed. However indisposed Minis
ters might be 10 rush into h0stilities, they
cannot avoid it under propeliing Influences
- potential With nations IL. With men,
= here Is a destiny which shapes cur ends
Rough hev< them how we may
IN all tho career Of Great Britain 70 check
cred over with crises and eventfu! periods,
there never vas q m0mert so pregnant az
tie present with her future fortunes
TAere is & tiGe IN the etFairs Of men,
Which, taken at the Hood lea Is on 20 fortune,
Omitted, al the voyage OF their life
ia bound 10 shallow and In misery