Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-25

DETROIT, Michigan, Dec. 16.-The European news
creates deep feeling and the probabilities of a
war with England are freely discussed. There is a
general desire for our government to place itself
right as regards the law whsn it will be sustained
at any sacrifice.
CHICAGO, Dec. 16.-The newsfro England by the
Europa creates profound sensation in political cir
eles. 1t is not credited that Her Msestys Govern
mens has determined to demand the release Of the
rebel emmissRIies, Mason and Sldeu. If, however,
such be the case, the feeling seems to be that the
government shall be sustained in its efforts to sus-
tain the national honor and national integrity.
The Tribune and Times will suggest the propriety Of
submitting the questions of arbitration TO i'm
partial neutral power.
BUFFALO, Dee I6-The English news received
here last night caused considerable excitement on
the street. The prevailing opinion is that we have
nothing to fear from war with England. The
Express says: But we speak from and for a point
terribly exposed to the horrors of war. We en-
treat our government to sacrifice not one 0t Of It's
dignity at this period of trial Whatever sacrifice
may be thrown upon us sll will be bonre more pa
tien1y than the modification Of national disgrace"
Comments Of Ihe Northern Press.
From the New York Herald.
The news from Europe which we published yes
terday, has, on the frs; blush, warlike aspect
but when it is thoroughly analysed, and when the
character Of John Bull for buster is taken into &C
count and the presest circumstances of England
are well considered, there is good reason to believe
that II IS an attempt on her part to bluff the Cabi
net at Washington and Cause It to receds from the
strong position 1t has taken, and to apply healing
salVe to the wounded honor Of her meteor flag"
She ia uneasy about the loss Of her marstime su
premacy in Europe, and winces under the blow Of
Captain Wilkes, which has made her feel that other
nations have rights well she and are prepared
to maintain them at all haZ lrds.
We do not believe that she can afford to 90 to war
with us. But whether that be her conclusion or
not, We will not surrender Mason and Slidsu in
dictstion to her threats. They were arrested upon
the principles of maratime law, promulgated in her
own courts and illustrated by her own example for
three quarters Of century and her statesmen
may as well DISMISS from their minds at once all
ides of the Southern Commissioners being ever
given up to them under any circumstances what
ever.
Englsud cannot afford to go to war with VI, for
the conflict, later, would involve the loss
Of her West India Islands, of Canada and the ad.
joining provinces, and last and most fatal Of all ths
loss of ireland her right in war her granary in
peace England cannot go to with US for six hun
dred millions worth of American stock are owned
by British subjects which in the event Of hostties
would be confscated; and We now call upon the
companies not TO take it of their hands upon any
terms. Let the forfeiture be held over England a.
8 weapon IN teTTOreTn British subjeets'haV two or
three hundred millions of dollars invested in shp>
ping and other property in the United States. All
this property, together with the stocks, would be
seized, amounting to nine hundred millions of dol
lars in all Viii Eogand incur this tremendous
ID for 8 mere abstraction?
Tron tn. Yotk Tri uss.
The simple truth of the matter is that it is now.
rs it was at the arrival Of the mail previous, =
question legal teehncalties exercising the minds
of the English people. We-do not choose to assume
that the country is disposed to seizs pretext for
quarrel and to drive Us, hanpered with the ggsn-
nc work we have now on hand to the wall For
hat ho IN md ,Fr
growing strength and prosperity that she wishes to
dissolve the Union that she may cripple a rival
and force upon US the alternative of an acknowl
edgment of the Southern COnfederacy, or the &C
ceptancs of q foreign war. We are not yet pre-
pared to make an assumption which would Involve
the supposition Of the protscorate of Great Brit
ala of slavehOlding dependency, in order thst she
might have cheap cotton and an unres tricted mar
ket for her manufacturers. True, her people are
excited it is natural enough they should be, for
there is 10 point on which her national pride and
her sense OF honor are so sensitive as the inviO>
liability Of her flag. 1t was not to be expected nor
did anybody expect that England would take with
any measure Of meekness so signal and empha tic
disregard of her assumed sovereignty Of the seas
and of her national dignity, as that conveyed in
ed, has tone since public and ofici Il, been one
to mollify her indignation. II we put ourselves in
their place. it is easy to understand that they might
very honestly ask themselves the Qxestion--Do
these people mean war Dy sucQ an unprecedented
dignity F! And the mere suspicion, which seems al
most inevitable very properly suggests the prohi-
bition of the exports Of the constituents of gun
powder, of which, presently, they think they may
have much need. So far it seems to US their con
duct is perfectly neutral and honestly confess it
is not one whit worse than we expected for it is
only fair to measure their estiTate Of the act of
Captain Wilkes, On the one hand by estimate of
it on the other. IT, therefore, in this first burst of
indignation the English people can stop to consider
the question one turning upon the technicalities
of International law, there only needs 8 little pa
tence on our part to avert such calamity as war
between the two countries.
s... Prem heNeE York Express.
There is q vast amount of British thunder IN the
news from England. What adds to the Clatter and
confusion is tat British merchants now seem to
be making 80 the British Press and the
British Tory T--,y
1t is our duty, uLj 'uch storm, to orgsniEs 4
snd arm. The Home u, rds everywhere IN the
North, should drill and discipline two or three days
in the week, as ifin the regular army. The coast,
harbours and lakes ought TO be Immediately forti-
fed and put in state of complete defence. The
OF all the States shouli organize a
complete militia system, perfect as possible The
only way TO be respected By England is with bayo
nets in hand, and swsrms of priVateers ready to
launch out upon the seas.
1t is not probable that E1glan1 will 90 20 war
with US on this Trent afair,-but she Tag-she
she thinks We fear, shake quIvsr before
her. England respects only bayOHet and big guns.
Tyrant the earth over, she will no more respect u.s.
than the East Indies or Chinese,-if we are unpre-
pared for her.
CANADA IN THE EVEOT OF WAR WITH ENGLAND.
From the New York Herald.
In the event of England, in her folly, declaring
against the United States, the annexation Of the
8ritish Moth American possessions, to which Mr..
seward looked forward in his speeches made before
he present administration came into ofce, viii 10
,Vitably follow. Between Vermont and Minnesota
We could pour hundred and fifty thousand troops
INTO Canada in q week, and o7errun the province in u