The Evansville daily journal., 1861-12-23


We publish this morning the advices by
the America, from England, to the 9th inst.
We do not see the least hope for a peaeeable
solution Of the pending difficulty Epgland |
seems bent on war, and the news of to-day |
confirms us in the opinion that we must
either have war with England, or an aban-
donment by our government of its position
and a surrender Of onr rights. An Amer
lean vessel has been stopped in the Thames
the British government has assured manu-
facturers that our Southern ports would be
opened by February troops and men of
war are 1ocking westward; American se-
curities are fat; wheat has advanced and
bOO, 900 quarters have been ordered by Eng
land from the Black Sea for future use. III
these events do not mean war, We are at
loss to understand what they do mean.
The danger now is that the two countries
will be precipitated into war, before the
question can be calmly and fairly discussed
by the proper authorities. The danger is
imminent because the spirit of '7e is abroad
in these States. The dispatches from the
New York Herald that Mason and Slidell
will be given up, and the act apologized
for, is utterly uufounded We do not know
yet that England has demanded this The
British demands may be more formal than
real, aud, if 50, of nature not presenting
serious obstacles to graceful and honorable
adjustment. If they ask the sacrifice or
surrender, no matter how slightly, of our
national honor, the country viii reject them,
and prepare for battle. There can be no
alternative. Sadded though we are with
a civil war, which heavily taxes all our
energies-physical. moral, and pecuuiary-
q contest with England would be very
popular, and men and money to carry it on
would be abundantly supplied. If England
has a naval superiority at present, we can
raise land force amply sufficient, if 1t
come to that, to wrest Canada from the
British empire.
The dispatches Of to-day tell US that
"France will be neutral.' Does any sane
man believe it7 If the war begins, and
France assumes q neutral position, II will
not have lasted three months before the
mask would be dropped and she would psy
with interest, that little account due to
England, since the fatal day of Waterloo.
The history of the world does not furnish
more barefaced attempt to force war upon
friendly power than is now being devel-
oped on the part Of England. This Trent
affair has demonstrated that England has
been yearning for prstert TO mingle In
our own strife, SO that she may strike IA
tai blow at institutions which have been
objects equally Of her envy, her hatred
and her fears. Regardless of her boasted
reputation as Christian nation she seeks
to embroil US in a war upon the naked
issue, that we have violated her flag BY
~Arresting two traitors bent on mission to
effect tue destruction of the United States
She cannot maintain her position among
the civilized nations of the earth if she
makes our refusal to apologize for that act
a saasus beIIi So soon as that demand is
mdae, the war viii actually have begun.
The dangers which beset us as a nation
from foreign foes snd domestic rebels, are
strong incentives to union and harmony
among our loyal people. The Government
has acted with moderation and prudence in
the affair and we believe its action is sus-
tanned. The Government has furthermore
announced what its action EiU be, in case
an attempt is made BY England to humiI-
late Us, and in this action it win be sustain
ed to the last dollar and the last man.
If We know the feeling of the President
the Cabinet, and the people, the required
apology and reparation" viii be made
-NEvEgl What Capt. Wilkes did was jus
tihed BY the law Of nations, by the sa.0 Of
England, as laid down BY Lord StowelL, and
other of her eminent jurists; and, more than
all, by the pTactice of England. Under such
circumstances, we hesitate not to say that,
sooner than humble the nation by yielding
to the insolent demand Of imperioas ard
faithIess England, We shall yield to the last
necessity, ard battle with her on the ques-
ton. We beat her on the sea over forty
years ago, and with just cause and Gods
help, we have no fear for the result For
the cause of national honor, we are ready,
as nation, to risk life and property-to
sacrifice al exceptthe true dignity ofthe ma
ton.
ER~We are nnaer ohiiyations to NJ.