Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-12-20
The british aud the Arrest OF sIIdeII and
f-". nTneOn.

The British aud the Arrest OF Sltdell and
f~ TIasOns
BY reference TO our telegraphic dispatches, it
viii be seen that the forciibly taking Slidell and
Mason FROM the English steamer Trent, has
caused the utmost indignation in Great Britain,
aud that demand will be made that the rebel
ambassadors be given up and an apology made
for the insult, and that refusal on our part to
comply with these demands will be cause for
an immediate war.
Public meetings have been called in many
places, at which the most inAammatory speeches
have been made, and the most dire revenges
threatened against this Government.
The "immediate consequences" of war held
over us in terror by the chiefs of the British
press are: "the recognition of the Davis confed-
eracy; the raising of our blockade; and the
blockade of our northern ports The advan-
tages to accrue to the English Government by
effecting these obiecs are, says the London
Times: at would at once set free our industry
from the anxiety of a cotton famine, and give
prosperity TO Lancashire through the winter
At the same time we shall open our trade to
eight millions in the Confederate States, who
desire nothing better than to be our customers.
1t has been evident for some time that the
British Government desires rupture with this
country, and that it only wants n plausible
excuse to break faith with us. Whether they
viii make the present affair a sufficient cause
for war remains to be seen. But should they dc
so, there are some things that will follow, whicl
the Times neglected to mention, to wit: tn,
capture of the Canadas and the whole of the
British North American The annihilaton oil
British commerce; the starvation of thousands
in Ireland for want of American food; the des-
peration of millions that will cry for employ
,nent in England for want of American cotton
and an American market; the increase of the
British national debt from S5,O00,000,000 to say
.S7,000000,000, and the abolition of Slavery in
the South, which will be forced upon the Gov.
eminent in order to relieve portion of our army
TO pay its respects to the new foe.
If England forces war on us she will no
find us entirely unprepared We have a flee
of no insignificant proportions, which is being
constantly augmented. One of the oldest anc
best informed shipmasters in the port of New
York, says that in two months we can have al
sea twenty five hundred privateers able and
eager to "sweep from the ocean" not a little but
a very great fleet. Great Britain has a great
navy; but she has also a very great many as
sailable points; and in case of war with naval
power would require nearly every armed ship
she could man, to act as convoy to her merchant
fleets, and asguard to her exposed dependencies.
A war with England cannot do us a serious
or lasting injury. True, at this time, it would
add materially, for a little time, to our embar-
easements. Itisquite possible that, by shrewd-
ly avaling herself of our difficulties, she could
for while deal us some hard blows But it is
certain that in the long run she would be, as she
has been already twice before, the severest suf
ferer Such war would infuse new energy
into our soldiers, our government, our Congress
and our people.
1t is limited in the English papers that France
will unite with great Britain in any aggression
the latter may plan against us. We doubt this
We believe that our government can hold on
inducements to France which would make thu
Emperor think twice before committing himsel
against us. But French and English allit nee
could it be brought about, would probably re-
vive certain Crimean memories in the breast O
Russia which would bring us an ally who has
always been our friend in deed as well as WORT