The New York herald., 1861-12-29
THE ENDORSEMENT OF CAPTAIN WILKES.
AS VIEWED BY THE ARISTOCR ATS.
ALARM ABOUT NAPQLEON's POLICY.

ALARM ABOUT NAPOLEON 8 POLICY.
Although Captain Wilkes has assumed the entire re-.
spopsblity Of the outrage on tho Trent II would be
mistake conclude that the American question has
any of its darker aspects. II is Of course, satisfactory
know that the boarding OF the British mail packet and
the kidnapping Of Messre. Mason and Sde from under
our flag not carried into effect by the express
strucons Of the Washington Cabinet. Had such orders
been given the answer to our demands would have been
a foregone conclusion and there would be hope Of
remaining peaceful terms with the United States But
if we relieved from all doubt this point, little has
been said done the other side Of the Atlantic
move our fears lest the illegal acts Of Captain Wilkes
should be sanctioned and approved by Mr. Seward. Ia
particularly noticeable that the question Of "rights
individual in the States has dared TO venture an
opinion adverse that which Captain Wilkes has put for
ward, while one after another or the whom the
psSpls look up Tor guidance snd ~ have displayed
IN heir Efforts the c,Og their counryndr has
miaed. Even here Northernors are unanimous They
all convinced that the captain Of the San Jacnto has
acted strictly within the limits Of the law Of nations
since, whatever may be said Of American patriotism, II
cannot be charged with that cosmopolitan Indifference
its country's honor which esteemed virtue BY our
radical orators and writer's II more thaA
probable that Mr. Lncons government in refusing to
acknowledge the Justice OF our claims will have the SYM
pathy aud support Of the whole North. Had Of
note in tho States taken impartial and dspassonate
Of the case-had there been suggestion from
any authoritative quarter that the rebel commissioners
should be given up and the question Of international
left for discussionwe might take more hopeful view
tho result Of the deliberations at Washington. s
but express fears that the American govern
men will be unable to recede from the position into
which the rash act Of its officer has forced IT,
The French ssmoflcal press Is TO De by means in.
dl.efinnacly trusted. Its talents for Invention
thoroughly recognized that need make no apology
want OF confidence. But last nights dispatches
from Paris too significant to be passed entirely
without notice The sudden return Of Gen. Scott the
scene erocty Of has tmphs but T his d6fcuIies Is
in itself omin0us. He is soldier, but necessarily an
authority international law. II scarcely on the
legal bearings Of the question at issue between the two
that his opinion has to be consulted But
Il possible that his counsel may be required h ,eo
TO ute,or consequences to which Mr. Seward cannot shut
his eyes, asd that the young and inexperienced
mander whom strange chance has called upon 10 lead
the armies of tho North not inspire the confidence
which the years and practical knowledge Of his pedece
may naturally claim. Anohe, report hardly less oin0ns
is that of the thanks of the Naval Department having
been rendered TO Captain Wilkes. This would be the
first official recognition OF the outrage. The applause Of
mobs the approval of sefseekiDg politicians the sword
Of honor, nothing. But n the thanks of the govern
men have been actually bestowed on the perpetrator Of
the outrage, need scarcely trouble ourselves much
about the probable reply that viii be returned to
the demands Of ambassador. That our government
are preparing for the worst very plain That in doing
80 they taking prudent and statesmanko course is
equally clear TO all but Mr. Bright and his fraternity Our
greatest only chance, believe, Of obtaining repa
ration without hosttics is the power may possess OF
impressng Mr.. Seward determination and our
reodiness 20 erac IT, Moreover, previous quarres
with the United States have shown us that with
them II is always word and blow, but that the
blow sometimes comes before the word.