The Union and journal., 1861-12-20
News from England.

The London Press Is really vociierous, snd
makes great elamor about the arrest OF MA
son and Slidell. and insists upon n demand ior
nm apology from our Government, anu the
restoration of Mason and Slidell TO the British
Government. IL the British Cabinet has, as
the London Times asserts, decided that the ar
res, Of these rebel envoys, on British vessel
|, Agrant violation Of the code OF nations,
II does not appear. as yet, upon what grounds
,ueh n decision Is based. And Il looks rather
prcm,,ure 70 talk about the British ultimatum
and the recalling Of Lord Lyons before d'-
pioma,ic correspondence is had with our Gov
ernment upon the subject.
The Star takes more moderate view 81 the
matter, and declares that the statements as 10
the tenor Of the Instructions to Lord Lyons are
premature and 50 exaggerated as to be virtually
untrue, while John Bright and Richard Cooden
counsel n suspension Of Judgment. Dispatches
from Washington state. notwithstanding the
bsuiyerent attitude assumed by England, there
!. NO d,,pOsi,ion on the part Of any member oi
the Cabinet to alter the plans or policy OF the
Goyernment assumed in the arrest OF Mason
and slidell
The Salem Gazette, in an article on the sub
;ec,, closes with the following judieious re-
marks:
.I, c,nno, he denied that they afford just oc;
o.sio, for the greatest anxiety; but v shouh
hs remembered that they are unohicaI, anu
may represent the determination ot lhc bii,lsh
government in much more offensive iorn 'ha'' 'i
I, has actually taken. II u pretty clear now
a,ns ,hat that government has adopted the
conr.. which IL always pursues, OF preparing
;rs,an,ly 10 send an overwhelming force tO"ari
,he seat of controversy. to be ready lor any
emergency that may arise, and To be reaiS aso,
IN there Is no emergency, to make one, 'ne
interests or feelings vi Great Britain seem "
require one. So, , a..
The statement that the law advisers OF the
british Crown have officially declared 'hM !he
,leel of Cant. Wilkes was tagrant violation
of the law of natiuns," will ill our Iurists anu
publicists with surprise, since they have % Deen
ahle to fnd so many precelents from britlsh
authority which seemed fully to JUSTIFY tne
nroceeJinc, but they should remember that IN
MI the precedents ON which they rely pIsa.
britain was the dOer, not the sufferer, anu 'n1'
with John Bull, abOyeall the bulls IN lhe Noi,u,
n makes the greatest difference whether u Is ms
S,,u Rs,i,les. IL must be admitted, that there
- no case. which has yet been IuoteI, that runs
souarely on all fours with that OF the san 'S-
cinto and Trent. -o ,;,
Our Government. Of course, realize more WV
an, ,har any of US individuals can do, the nj
mos, infinite Importance Ot keeping AZ peace
with C;rea, Britain, ifit can he done consistent
" with sclc.respect, justice and national honor.
We may hope, tSough not Without great fears tears
10 the contrary, that Great Britain Will deu,Ina
no,hinr Inconsistent with these indispensan'es,
ne A. L.. nat everything else may be lett 10
nsgotiation. Our Government will consult the
true interest and the real feelings OF the Country
by insisting upon nothing that Is not unqne,s-
,ionably right. Every point when iss!sais i
;n.,i6cl by the law Of nations should De nam
,ajnSJ in a arm but amicahle spirit and the
oiIer should be made at once, in good iaith, 10
yeSer every disputable point to some irienuiS
fSreicn power, to whose Judgment WeshOuid
submit without appeal