Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-19
From the New York Express, December ls.l

the News is Received Here-What
People Think and Say.
The city Is In state Of excitement to. day,
that has not been equaled since the outbreak Of
the war. The announcement in the morning
papers that Great Britain had determined to
demand the return Of Mason and Slidell, or to
make their seizure a cosus belh, being so unex-
pected In view Of the advioes by the previous
steamer, took overy body by surprise. Az FIRST
people were dumbfounded, but In a little Wills
surprise gave way to excitement, and all sorts
! of copiectures were INDUCED in. People in the
cars and omnibuses, before they got down
town, seemed impressed with the idea that the
United States Government had the right of the
matter, and must stand by the action already
taken, no matter what course Great Britain
should see ct to pursue. To think OF giving up
tho rebel Commissioners now, after they have
been safely Gagged in Fort Warren for several
weeks, was considered an impossibility, and
uobody entertained such an idea for q moment.
On all hands IL Was contended In the fret burst
ofindignation that the Government must call
out additional forces and make immediate
preparations for wsr on gigantic scale.
Down town, among the business men, there
was difference of opinion. A great deal Of
excitement was apparent at the Custom house
and in its immediate vicinity In regard 10 the
| threatening advices from Eogland. The news
seemed to be the all. engrossiDg topic this Mon
| day morning, end almost the first remark made
after the usual "good morning" was "what do
you think Ct the news from Englsnd2" II was
amusing TO notice the numerous constructions
put upon the laundering of the British press by
| parties f-equenting the Custom house. Some
| entirely discredited the whole affair, regarding
| it as nothing but a "scare," while the majority
expressed the opinion that the English Govern
ment would persist in the policy, as foreshad.
owed in the papers, but exhibited the greatest
surprise that the German press also side with
the British policy. The determination was,
however, shown to uphold the Federal Govern
ment, in the present crisis, by every means
| possible. The most prominent officials at the
Custom-house state that it is highly improbable
that the Government will recsde single inch
from their present position, and one Of them
actually remarked that the country was never
in better condition for a war with England
han at the present time.
1t was also observed that this was the last
gasp of the PalmeTston Ministry, that they
were topping over, and had seized hold of this
opportunity 10 regain their popularity, If pos
sible. Groups of merchants were also congre
gated at all the corners, near the building, Gag
erly discussing the probability of a war with
England, and that this would be the inevitable
consequence Of the seizure of Mason and Sill Z.
dell by Captain Wilkes seemed to be the pre-.
vailipg opinion among those deing business at
the Custom. house
In the meney circles and among stock brok-
ers, the effect of the news could not but be de.
cided1y manifest, and the brokers' offices were
alive during the morning with discussion,
Every body btcame at once an interpreter of
international law, and while one side con-
demned the actions of Captain Wilkes, the
other side took his part; but there seemed to be
o feeling that he made a mistake in not cap
tnIigg he vessel and taking her into Key West.
Some so;used Congress Of Tashness 10 voting
the gallant Commodore the thanks of the
country, and could not see how England would
get over that part of the "nsult."
Amopg grain and provision men the English
threats were generally put down as empty
bTaggadocio, and her warlike prepar atoms only
as a matter of consequence to keep the "peo-
pie" in good humor. If England should 20
any further, some said, all vessels with grain
and provisions would be stopped, and England
would keep company with Ireland in starving.
Said an old merchant, "She is not able to raise
grain enough for herself under ordinary cir
cumstapcss. Had we not to feed her and
FIsDce, too, during the Crimean War;"
The cotton men thought about the same, but,
as q matter of course, took q more English
view OF the question. Said one of the leading
brokers in that staple, "0ur country is just
now engaged in putting down a wicked rebel
England, who is using this affair as q pre-
text to take sides with the South France will,
no doubt, step in too, and what will be the re-
suit? If England has laid down the law, she
is bound to carry it out, go better give them for
once what they want. Mr.. Lincoln himself
thought il would come to that, and therefore
mentioned nothing of the matter in his Mes
sage"
Saltpeter people became quite lively but
could not believe in the newspaper talk, while
grocers seemed to place more confidence in it.
On the whole, however, the feeling among
merchants is one of suspense, but not of fear aud
'bough this affair will be used as bug bear to
| anaOnlata With liSkIa NJ u0 aarinua ae
are expected.
Among the sporting men, and frequenters Of
the Broadway saloons generally, the feeling IL
one of bslligerent character. There, very
few defenders of the position of England are
to be found, the great majority saying, "Let
'er rip" and expressing the utmost contempt
of Great Britain, her navy and soldiers. The
most common expressions to be heard are
"I'II bet hundred to fifty she daren't declare
war;" In the st. Nicholas and neighboring
hotels, the news is the whole subject Of conver
, salon. Some, and the vast majority, are iI
, favor of holding on to the Commissioners at al
: | hazards; while others say, "Better give then
5 up than fight two great enemies at once, ant
2 get whipped on all Sides" There is, in ths
} best hotels, more cool, calm reason, while IL
the FALCONS the war fever runs high. One mar
in saloon near BIoome street declared "tha
it would be good idea to let the South 60
ard securing her co operation as an ally, invit'
|
general feeling seemed to be, that it would b
much better, and far more satisfactory, to fol
England than to whip the South.
In the English houses in Houston street, th,
: reverse Of all this sentiment is found. Herr
Z the Daturalized John Bulls speak of Grea'
: Britain's power, of her honor and glory. Shl
/ must protect her flag, say they, deemipg i
preposteTous that British ship should be at
. | lacked on the seas, and her passengers removes
by force. Much ale was drank, and much feel
q ing epgendered in one of the ale houses. Thel
an American present expressed the rathe
blood thirsty desire to cut the throat of ever
!" EDghshmsn in the country.
q Among the Irish there is great excitement
They seem glad that England has cast asid
the mask of friendship for their adopted ooun
try, and assumed the pugnaciOus attitude O
: an open enemy. They unite in believing tha
3 grand opportunity is now opening to them, t
u avengs tho wrongs of centuries, which thei
. fathsrland has endured, while proving thsi
y devotion TO the Union by q grand engagemen
z with "psThdious Albion" It is admitted ths
but a very small spark il required TO kindie tn
= eombatiYe hre of the Celt; but his preVailin
Characteristic is, that whenever England rs
quires to be whipped, he is capable Of spon
q taDeoua combustion, and 1t Is believed tbs
"a when this proposed war with Great Britai
n shall be inauguTated, that the enlistment
> among the Irish will increase fifty per cent.
| Thsra ia na dauht that tha Triah nannIa I