The New York herald., 1861-12-31


the basis of England's ultimatum Mr.. Seward,
in bis mastery exposition of the law Of nations
upon bclligerent and neutral rights, has not
only sustained the honor of the United States,
but has fully committed the British government
to the very ground which we have occupied
siuce the adoption of our federal constitution,
and upon which, some fifty years ago, we de-
clared and made war upon England, as the only
remaining alternative against her domineering
and intolerable bclligerent pretcnsions upon
the high seas.
The grand result of that war was the triumph
of "free trade and sailors rights"-that is, of
neutral rights upon the ocean, but still, down
to very recent period, the British government
attempted again and again. although in miti-
gated form, the exercise upon us Of its imperial
right Of search. Our readers will remember,
however that during the late administration Of
Mr.. Buchanan certain British vesseis-of-war-
Styx and Buzzard among them--while engaged
in cruising for African slavers off the Island of
Cuba, brought to, visited and searched num-
Der of our merchant ships; that such an out
burst of public indignation in this country was
produced by these offences, and that such de-
cisive attitude of remonstrance was assumed by
our government as to threaten another war
with England upon this question:; but that the
difficulty was quietly settled by the recall Of
those offending British cruisers and by the prompt
and complete suspension Of their annoyances to
our inofensive traders. The American ground
of neutral rights, TO which this submission of
England was thus secured only three years ago,
is substantially the ground covered by the resti-
tuition Of Mason and Slidell. Thus, as Mr..
Seward intimates, that which we have for over
half a century demanded that all nations, and
especially England, should do unto us, we
cheerfully consent, in this affair Of the Trent, to
accord to her and to them. We only yield the
question Of equity as abelligerent to the ques-
ton Of law. We maintain our old position, and
we bring England to the fullest recognition OF
it that could be made &
Against the maritime despolism Of Great Bri-
tain. we are sure France and all the other
States of the European continent, after having
been our advocates and our allies for the better
part Of century, win rejoice that the settle.
men of this unforeseen affair of the Trent has
from that Of . dictatorisl belligerent to that of
ON innocent neutral, content to share and share
alike the common highways Of the sea. Under
this view we feel assured that this Trent settle
ment puts an end to the pretexts quibbles and
subterfuges Of English statesmen foi their SYM
pathies with JEFF. Davis aud his Southern insur-
rectionary confederates, and will hold the
British government henceforward, under the
public opinion Of Europe, to the obligations Of
an honest neutrality.
But upon another point or two we have, in
the surrender Of Mason and Slidell, no small
reasons for congratulation. Most of the lead
ing journals of England, political and literary
and their satellites and echoes. for some months
past, have been particularly vicious and vindic-
tive III their shallow denunciations of the peo-
pie of our loyal States, of our popular institu-
tions, and of our independent newspaper press
They have pronounced our Union an exploded
ship Of sdascadottes-the mass Of our people
bowling mob, debating our public opinion and
gerous excesses, reckless of consequences OF
course, with our government, institutions and
newspaper press has also been maligned in Eng
land as the obedent instrument of senseless
mob, intent only upon its base revcnges against
royalties and arstocracies, and especially those
of Great Britain.
NOW, against 1ll tnese IOul MlSTepfcsenbatlOnS,
the settlement Of this Trent affair amply vind-
Gates our government, our people and our in
dependent press. All tbe facts and the circum-
stances, the pomp and the parade attending the
reception Of Mason and Slidell at Havana, by
British as well as Spanish officials, contributed
to make the acceptance Of these traitors as pas
sengers on board the Trent extremely aggravat-
ing and offensive to our loyal people According
ly, they hailed the act Of Captain Wilkes with un-
disguised satisfaction and exultation. Bat when
these rebel emissaries are delivered back to Eng
land there are no symptoms of a savage mob
rising to overthrow President Lincoln and hi,
Cabinet. On the contrary, there is prompt
generous and universal approval by our loyal
people Of the adjustment adopted. Our public