Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-12-20
The Truth Confessed.

The following, from British journal,
is ample confession, that England is aware
that the conduct of Capt. Wilkes was not
breach of law or comfy The complain
is that our government has come up to the
line OF our rights. Of all meanness in the
world, that is the lowest which seeks pre-
texts on such grounds, and takes the occa-
sion when hated rival is engaged in a
quarrel with another opponent. There can
be but little reasonable doubt that the
movement ST the three powers on Mexico
has more reference to US than to our near
nelghbor. 1t least of all becomes our
government to falter; courage and high
moral bearing alone can save the nation,
and these traits we have no doubt our
government will show. Let the Union at
least preserve its honour, do it's duty, and
trust the Almighty Arbiter.
Capt. Wilkes "wretched Blunder."
TIE event has aroused in this country
the strongest feeling of Indignation. The
City very fairly represents the public in
its popular sentiments OF such subjects,
and yesterday the Exchanges of London
and Liverpool were the scenes of an ex-
citement which has not been witnessed for
a long time. The sense of anger was min
gled with an impression that such an out
rage on the British flag must be resented !;
and the fall OF the funds was the response.
'Will there be wtr - No, we say. For
the reasons already stated, we do not look
for bostilities as likely to spriag from the
act, taken by itself but undoubtedly it has
shocked the nation, and has materially
turno the tide Of popular feeling against
the federal government. Nor can it fail
to impose new and sterner duties upon our
Own executive. If that letter of law which
the Americans invoke were rigidly enforc-
ed against them, an important branch OF
their present operations would be arrested.
We have already said that the blockade Of
the Southern ports is wholly Ineffective
But any attacks upon the vessels Of a
friendly power pursuing friendly commerce
under the pretext of blockade which is
not veritably carried out according to rule,
is trespass that ought not to be tolera-
tel !; and 1t occurs to US as not impossible
that if the federal government should thus
press the let ter Of the law against friends
as well as enemies, it may find itself COM
PEELED IN the same manner to recognize the
strietest construction with regard not only
to the right of search, but of blockade =
The wrctched blunder into which Capt.
Wilkes and MIR. Fairfax were rushing, the
manner of executing an ungr acious and
questionable intrusion, and the whole ma
ture of the proceedings, teach us to be
prepared for still rasher measures at the
same hands.
Those whe have so indiscreetly become
our assailant have betrayed keen jealousy
of any free constructions on our part, while
they have summarily taken the widest
license for themselves. Any perseverance
IN such course cannot, however, be permit
ted. Because they are unable to keep
order in their own States, the federalists
must not be suffered to trihe with English
interests; and if they commit many more
mistakes the offence may meet with chas
tisement prompt and severe.-London Tele-
graph.