The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-12-28
rSg- 1t will be remembered that we ex.

E&5a 1t VIII pc remembered LnaL we e2- /
pressed the fear shortly after the seizure of
Mason and SIidel, that England would
make it a pretext for hostilities, and that
the former position taken by our Govern
ment, in reference to the rights of neutral
ships, would come up unpleasantly in the
discussion Of our right to overhaul the
Trent Although most of our cotempora-
ries argued themselves into the belief that
abe facts and the law were so clearly on
our side, that England wouldn't dare to
make the seizure cdsus bell, we notice
that many of them are rapidly changing
their opinions. Some of them are now as
Stunning the position that if England will
concede the American doctrine that a neutral
vessel is exempt from search by vessels of
belligerent powers, and thus abandon her
former practices and precepts, that we can
afford to give up the two traitors, however
unpleasant it may be to do SO.
But is it not time to convince England
that she cannot make and unmake maritime
law % II suits her convenience What assur-
ance have we that she would not repu diate
any doctrine that she might agree to to-day,
lust Bs readily as she does the doctrine Of
81 right of search If she is to violate
her own rules, which she has forced other
nations 70 Observe with impunity, we lose
selfrespeet as nation by accepting finn
sey excuse to avoid a contest with her. 1t
is true we are struggling for the maintain
ance of Republican government, and that
England avails herself Of the first pretext
in order to overthrow our institutions but
she NAV fud-if our government proves
true to The people ard the people sustain
ssrra pay less
than she anticipated. If the struggle does
not shake the British empire to its fouuda-
tons, and end in the overthrow of titled,
landed aristocracy that is eating oct the sub
stance of the people we will be sadly mis-
taken. The merchant princes of Carthage
went to the wall in their struggle with the Ro-
man Republic and the cotton lords of Great
Britain may safely profit by their exam
Pile Carthage had the supremacy on the sea,
she bad the money. she had the skill, but
she hadn't the sturdy yeomanry, that com
posed the Roman armies 1t is easily seen
that, in contest with the United States,
Great Britain can not rely on the enthusi-
astic support of Ireland or even portions of
England. The citizens of this country of
English birth are so outraged by the IN
justi6able interference of the mother coun-
Try in our domestic quarrel that they will
rally to the support of the stars and stripes
with devotion exceeding that of native
born residents. They are, in most cases, in
constant communication with friends in the
old country who, to greater or less extent,
will be influenced by their representations
and opinions, and who will not take up
arms against a government and country in
which their relations have SO wonderfully
prospered.
For our own part, with Senator Hale,
we would rather risk the horrors of another
struggle with Great Britain than purchase
a peace that humiliates US to the position
of g second or third rate power. A nation
can stand anything better than dishonor-
If England takes the matter coolly, and
calmly discusses the subject we should
meet her with equal politeness. But if she
attempts to bully US into accepting her uIti-
matums, regardless of their legality or jus
tice, we trust our Government will bid her
defiance, and the people will sustain it with
unanimity that cannot fail of ultimate sue
cess.