Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-12-12
Thr Rennrfs


ry.
He (Camer0n) goes for cutting up the Old Dominion
like bankrupt's farm giving slice to Maj yland,
slice to Delaware and erecting another sce composed
of the meanest and most abotionzed part into State
by itself and calling it "Old Virginny" 1t does seem
to Us that the bones of Washington would turn in their
coffin, spark OF the heroes soul left to hover
near Mount Vernon watch over his mortal remains.
The land of Washpgton-tbe home of Jeferson-the
birthplace OF Patrick Henry to be more Virgin
a," but simply an appanage of Maryand-a mere pre-
cnct, to speak, OF central despotism, dominated by
such men as Abraha III Lincoln and Simon Cameron
Mr. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy estimates
the amount of money required for the naval service for
the fiscal year commencing July lst 1862, at $44,-
625, 665 G2.
The Secretary makes of the condition of the
navy the Atm of March last from which appears there
was total Of fortytwo vessels carrying FIVE hundred and
guns and about seven thousand six hundred men
When the vetses now building and M Of every
dtion the navy will be follows OF the old navy
ships oflne rigates IL soops, briggs, store ships,
sioops, frstcass sdewheel steam soOps second
soops thrdcass sloops, third class side
wheel steamers steam tenders
of Purchased vessels Sc side wheel steamers
steamers Is ships "a schooners l8 barques, briggs OF
under ID sleeps rs to-
tai of 64 vessels 2557 guns and TONS The aggre
last was 1900. The number not less than o. 000
In reply to the naval commanders in regard to the treat
of fugitive slaves the Secretary instructed them that
insurgents they should be handed to the custody of
the government but if the contrary, they were free
from any voluntary participation in the rebellion and sought
cared for and employed in useful manner and might
be enlisted to public vessels in navy
yards, receiving wages for their labor If such employ
could not be furnished to all by the navy they might
be referred to the and if employment could be
found for them IN the public service they should be allow
ed proceed freely and peaceaby without restraint to
seek livelihood in any loyal portion of the country.
| Mr.. Secretary Weles endorses fully the action of
Captain Wilkes in taking Messrs Mason and Slidell
from on board the British steamer Trent. He says:
"The prompt and decisive action Of Captain Wilkes
tied and received the emphatic approval of the department.
and if too generous fOrbeaance exhbi ed by him in
capturing the vessel which had these rebel enemies
board may, in view of the special circumstances and OF
its patriotic motives be excused; but must by no means
be permitted to constitute precedent hereafter for the
treatment of any of similar nfracton CT neutral obi
cations by foreign vessels engaged in or the car
rying trade
This makes it governmental question-one to which
Mr.. Lincoln is committed, for be it understood the
idea of responsible cabinet standing between ire
sponsibe executive and the consequences of his acts is
unknown to the theory of republican government or
this continent. Mr. Wees, in law, is simply one o.
Mr.. Lincolns confidential clerks. He has no constitu
1t is then question whether, if England stands upon
her dignity Mr.. Lncolns government will fight or Lack
out. 1t cannot dsavow the act of Captain Wilkes
1t cannot that officer. His act is the
act of the United States government.
Of Mr. Seward knows all this, and in fact we
think he anticipates its c0nS ounces Mr. Lincoln may
talk and MIR. Cameron may bIuster but they all knou
and feel that they cannot conquer the South AS Mr.
Russell has said, they cannot 60 out of the war in a
" moral Bull Run )" but they do want somebody
to hold tbem--they want to have the chance o.
saying that they do not yield to rebels but are
compelled to succumb to irresistible pressure from
without A fuss with England, and as consequence
with France, would give sufficient excuse ever
to Imperial Rome herself in her palmest days. to bach
out without accusation of coWardice. May it not b.
possible that MIR. Lincoln and Mr. Seward both seel
some such excuse? May it not be that this very thn
has been sought for the purpose Of creating this ver
excuse.
Without claiming any peculiar credit for prescence
pleading guilty to any great stubborness pride
opinion we yet feel justified in reerating the expires
sion of opinion, made three months ago. that tn
back of this will be broken by June next and it
legal existence even, cannot be protracted beyond tn
e winter of 1862. No matter what the fuss may be o.
the surface, this think will be seen to be the fact
1t should be remembered that the boodiest most gor
Gus and most decisive fight of the last war with Eng
land-that Of New Orleans was fought after peace ha
: been made. Our present war may present the sam
phenomenon, it may not. One thing is certain, an
it is this, that matter what may appear TO be Ii
d circumstances when peace is made-no matter wha
e amount of kind offices may be profered by Europea
nations, the basis upon which the South must stand
the negotiation must be erected and maintained
herself, and upheld by her might. Her own swor
must vndicate her rights, and the more hard hi
ting and the less loud talking the BETTER and the
y the trouble will be over.
:. How Is 1t :-WhO does 1t.
II friend who had, under peculiar circumstances, bee
at the North, and had worked bis way home-in plat
terms Mr.. Sprunt Of this place. informed US yesterda
that when in Baltimore he of all the leadn
Northern papers, and found in them long extracts fro
/ the editorial columns of Southern papers, mentonn
e among those he remembered particularly the Men
phis Appeal, the New Orleans Picayune, or Delta, "
IT, ID