The New York herald., 1861-12-28

tibiliies deeply, In both particulars. British ship
Spanish and British port-the two nations being q
pescewas stopped and searched by violence. Tho law
Of contraband Of war were applied TO her who was moi
at tho time and had not been at the time OF her depart
ure afterwards and not 70 be. her way 70 hes
place OF destination within the ur sdicon OF the nation
There no case IN Which
ment III modern times has ever consented TO the rule
Of war TINT the commerce OF neutrals In all parts
Of tho world, and exclusively with neutras, shall
be subject TO the interruption of the States which
al with each other. Questions OF contraband
TO material or person. can only be raised against
neutral when they carried to enemies ports. They
do not arise In the transportation from the bcgerent
TO tho neutral and, ortio, can never arise in the
commerce OF neutrals with eoch other.
There elemental principles, which all the ingenuity
OF advocates seeking Justification by collecting excerpts
from the opinions OF ursconsuts ON cases which are
totally dssmlar win not be ablo 70 confute.. They
contain such obvious equity and conservative Of
essential national dignity that tho instincts OF just
people reach them at once without waiting for the expo
writers colaed, TO show the current OF opinion and
action among nations which make public law between
them. Tho English people win undoubtedly 40 under
stand tho law Of right and dignity II should
be, and their statesmen will csme Afterwards,
with slower pace and creator elaboration, to
prove that they nor any other government OF
modern times has consented to any other construction
can do without dshonor. Tho aggrcss0r,
moreover, is found 70 DO in this dilemma, which will
tend 10 soothe tho British mind towards his preten-
tons. He Is claiming that no public war exists at all
but that the Of tho United States engaged
In attempt to suppress domestic revolt. " has
made complaint that Enropeon governments have done
wrong in c0nceding TO these 'robelSv any mmuntcs
belligcrents, and In own dealings towards them il OBJ
snatoy refuses TO give them any recognition at ALL
cept as simply insurreconsts 10 demand tho rights or
public against them to admit thor title TO be bel
geeuts and TO TO the lawfuness Of their recep
tion in that character by tho British government and
to all the legitimate consequences Of that public
character. sHw Mf
Ii to avoid this difficulty the ground should bs shifted
80 as to reach the persons Of individuals the pretcnce
ObnOXiOIA
from allegiance not lawful eeemios, the rights Of
public thereby renounced, and the whole
santly the ground and 10 only left for the United
States assert the right to take by force political
mics without declaration Of war, IN any Jurisdiction in
which they may have sought refuge. Either tho South
is beigcrcn in which case the United States have
tony offended Great Britain in hundred ways she Is
beiiigcrcn, in which the flag OF England has
been vol tied in time OF peace by aggravatun for pur
poses that would not have been tolerated even in
These are in all probability tho views which will IN.
medatey suggest themselves TO the British press and
people on the arrival oil the Trent.
They will have only the account Of the steamer, with
the evidence which has since transpired herothat
the Of the Commander Of tho San Jacno has been
approved and defended by tho government, is publicly
arpiaudcd by of thanks House OF Congress-
ard glored in by the poplaco as great aud gallant
achievement. ts
y However deeply offended, the English Min
istry VIII hardly make an issue without full examination
and careful dcbcraticn, without official application for
necessary explanations, and definite demands for the
redress which may decide to DO required by national
honor In all this its march will be steady; but it will
bo premature for while to look for any demos ration
what its is to bo except in indications from the
press, or in tho debates OF Parliament.
The condition OF English politics, however makes it
likely that this question will be pushed to issue with
unusual rapdity. There evidently struggle at
hand tho overthrow OF the preoent Cabinet by tho
party of Lord Derby and nothing hand
adapted the OF party than question OF national
dignity abroad tho support Of tho honor OF tho British
ag and resentment for violation done to IT, 7he coo
question mtres itself urh the qnetton Of dig
nay: and the cotton Interest. mhicA i deeply
concerned the breaking up Of tho Northern
obaructions TO Southern powerful enough, IN
Parliament and out H. 10 affect siouiy TIE bance Of
strong enough to determine the fate OF
tho ministry. The American question will therefore, be-
in all probability of tho topics OF debate with view
70 domestic struggle for the control OF the government
and it would bc surprising to find both Sides rvang
each other their bid for popular sympathy and Man
chester support, by insisting tho duty Of cxacng
apology aud reparaon for the violation OF the British flag