Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-12-30

The Release or AIason and sIIdeH.
Mason and sidsn have been delivered up
by our Government and are now only held
subject 10 the order of Lord Lyon, who is re-
quested to signify his wish as to where and
when they be delivered to him. Probably
the English Minister viii demand, that they
be landed in an English port by an American
ship Of war. Whether this is done or not,
they viii doubtless be received in England
with great rejoicing, and viii be hOnized
even to their hearts content We have de-
liveFed up these men upon demand and sub.
mitted to what large majority of cur cOun-
teymen consider an unjust requisition. We
have also lost the opportunity of hanging
these two arch-traitOrs. This is the un-
pleasant and humiliating view Of the re-
lease.
But we are to remember that something
beside present success over two prominent
rebels was to be consulted. President Lin
coin and Secretary Seward looked farther
than tie walls of Fort Warren, farther even
than to the crushing out Of the rebellion
when they decided to give up these men,
For these many years the United States has
cOnteuded against the right Of search, as ad-
hered to and practiced by England, and now
arises case in which this question is SO in
Tolved that England viii not dare repudi-
ate the decision made in favor Of her own
demand. Secretary Seward, in his reply to
Earl Russell, says that the question was be-
tween the principles for the establishment of
which our government has always labOred,
and the bare possession of these men. II he
maintained the policy he must surrender the
case. He says that the comparative unim-
pOrtsnee Of the prisoners, together with the
waning proportions Of the domestic insurrec-
ton and rebellion in this country, and the
efectual check which the surrender will un-
doubtedly give to the rebellion, forbid any
determination to hold the prisoners at all
hazards. Moreover, this Government &C
knowledges the justice of the demand of
Great Britain as being in accordance with
the policy ever eontended for By this coun-
try, and therefore gives up the prisOners.-
Very skillfully, Secretary Seward says that
he has great satisfaction in knowing that
the demand has been made and the men
given up upon q position purely American,
thereby settling the long vexed question be-
tween the two countries. How gratifying
this viii be to English pride and haughti-
ness, We can easily imagine. They viii read,
to their amazement, and very probably to
their Indignation, that they have rendered
this country very essential and permanent
service in their very bullying demand for
satisfaction, and that our Secretary cf State
politely thanks them for doing it.
So much for Mr. Stewards reasons for Civ
iug them up. Now, how will it affect the
rebellion? It will be one of the deadliest
blows which that conspiracy has received,
and any modification at the surrender which
may be felt at the North, will be an hundred
fold increased at the South. We have noted,
from time to time the extreme anxiety of the
rebels to gain the assistance Of England
against tbs Government OF this aid they
were never so sanguine ss when the news Of
Capt. Wilkes exploit reached the rebel capi-
tai. Thus, war between England and the
North was inevitable, the Coniederacy would
be recognized, the Southern ports opened,
the Northern ports blOokaded, and the tables
completely turned. The Richmond Examiner
said that an immediate recognition Of the
COniederacy would follow the demand for
the prisoners, with encouragement and aid
in fitting out-its Tesgels and supplying their
wants In the British ports and Islands" It
says Of this "Providential capture" that aths
Almighty fat has gone forth against the
American Cnion," and adds "Who thought
when the Trent was announced to rsiI, thai
on its deck and in the trough of the weltsr.
iug Atlantic the key OF the blockade would
be lost ?"
The Richmond Enquirer sayB ave are
h4ppy 10 see it stated that bold defiance
prevails at Washington" and al other rebel
journals throughout the South reioiced over
the hope of war between England and the
United States. Their rejoicing Is turned to
weeping, and the great prstezt for recognizing
the ConfedeFacy is taken out Of the hands oi
England and France.
But this act of Great Britain viii not be
forgotten, nor will It be suffered to 20 IN
avenged. The reasons for the release given
BY the Secretary Of State are the words of a
true and able diplomatist, but thsmass Of the
people have a straightforward way Of put.
ting the case, thus; we have q great rebellion
on our hands to dispose Of; England took
advantage Of our condition to endesvor to
force a war with Us, in the hope Of accom-
plishing that which she dsre not under
take when our country is united. We sub
NIT to her demand now, as it really gives Us
IN advantage Of which EeaYaiI ourselves, but
woe to England when we have disposed Of our
present war, If she dare raise finger against
rs. Our army Of six hundred thousand men
viii want something more 70 do, and in that
day Of our power, the insults and coWasdly
meanneas Of England win be surely rsmem.
tered and bitterly avenged.