Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-17
War with England.

Our city was the scene of considerable ex- |
citement yesterday, caused by the latest sd- |
vices from England in regard TO the seizure |
of Mason and Slidell while under the protec-
ton of the British flag. Our home troubles |
seemed, for the time being, to have been for |
gotten, and all eyes turned toward England,
in anticipation of a rupture with that coun-
try, in addition to the little affair that our
Government has already on its hands. Much
speculation was INDUCED in in reference to
the probable contents of the dispatches trans
mitted to Lord Lyons by special Queens
messenger, and the result of wsr with Eng
land during the existence of the great
Southern rebellion. Some were of opinion
that we were, at this time, lily prepared for
contest with any great nation, while others
were defiant, and thought our Government
was never before so well prepared for con-
test with the British lion.
England is, and ever has been, governed
more by self-interest than by principle. If
she thought that it would rebound more to
the interest of her people to get up aquarrel
with the American Government at this time,
recognize the Southern Confederacy, open
the cotton ports and blockade those of the
North, than to remain on friendly terms
with u.s. che would no doubt take tina. course;
but it should be remembered that the Brit.
ish isles are OF this time more in want of
breadstuffs than cotton. The crops of Great
Britain the past season, to a great extent,
failed, and in poor, suffering, down-trodden
Ireland the potato crop is almost an entire
failure. In consequence of the great demand
for our produce in Europe, the balance of
trade in the last few months has been in our
favor to the extent of some sixty or seventy
millions of dollars, and this demand contn-
ues. In case of war, England would, Of
course, blockade our ports or at least at.
tempt to do so. Whether she succeeded or
not commercial intercourse would be inter-
1upted between the two countries, and the
shipment of provisions discontinued.
Again: 1t is extremely doubtful as to
which country would suffer most, in a COM
mercial point Of view. 1t is true England
has an immense navy, but she also has al
most numberless colonies and islands to pro
tect. Our Government would, of course, as
phONAOus "olo VASh IAoe AobiOhi loouO AOb'
ters Of marque to all owners of vessels thai
would accept of them, to prey upon English
commerce and seize upon the innumerable
English merchantmen that are constantly
plying upon the high seas. She would, of
course, have the advantage at the opening of
the contest, but eventually we would
triumph, as in the last war. She has no land
forces to spare to send to this country. The
nations of India and the people of Ireland,
as we'll as those of some of her colonies, are
ready to revolt upon the first favorable op-
portunity. She has only about one hundred
and fifty thousand regular troops, and it will
require at least that number to garrison Indis
and Ireland.
In view of all these facts, in our opinion
England will avoid a conflict with thr
United States so long as she can do so with
out a sacrifice of national honor. Mason anC
Sidell, as shown by English papers, wer'
arrested in accordance with English usage
and her Interpretation of international law
Consequently, we think Mr.. Seward ant
Earl Russell will come to an amicable settle.
ment of the question involved, and peace
continue between the two nations