Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-08-29
Independence ofthe south.

from the London Post Government Organ) Aug 5 [
Three Federal regiments have returned: to
New York and have met with enthusiastic Te-
ceDtiOns" Whether these regiments were
composed of ninety days service men, who
Iaft the field of battle when the enemy's can
non was sounding in their ears, the telegraph
does not state. The Republicans in New
York, revering the 10 tTilfHlphs of Republican
Rome. appear to justify disaster aud disgrace
by accepting and acting upon the maxim,
VicfrfL cIlLsa DIS plGClft, sd UJCtG CIfOH Their
policy evidently Is 10 pnt a good face upon
the defeat and disaster We do not quarrel
with them for doing this. because 1t Is only
an additional specimen of that spirit of exag-
geration which would be excusable If it had
the merit in any sense of being true
The NoriheTners, to adopt the American
pbraseology, have received a thorough and
complete "whippine" and the elasticity of
their patriotism can only be measured by the
folly which has given an ovation to three re-
giments which had the good luek to escape
from the enemy in the chance medley of a
great battle. The New York papers appear
10 think that ii is their duty as we'll IN the
moment OF exultatiOn as of disaster to villiiy
and abuse England. The acquisition OF Cana
Ia, according to the programme OF MIR. Sew
ard, is to compensate for the loss OF the
South Cuba is also to be annexed at the
first convenient opportunity. We have no
fear for Canada, which on former occasions,
aud under more disadvantages clrcumstan-
ces. has successfully held her own, not only
in the face of direct invasion, but against the
less open attempts of American sympathizers.
We believe that at present Spain has a
navy amply sufficient to secure the safety OF
Cuba and defy any force which the Federal
government could bring to bear for the pur-
pose of annexing an island which, invaluable
to the South as the great e7HTePot and seat OF
the slave trade, ought, according TO Inc the
oTv of the North, to be of little commercial or
political Importance to the free soil States.
The Cubina at Washington has quite enough 10 do
without wantonly Offering insult to such a
power as Spain. We, however, take these
matters as specimens of that international
bounce which appears to be a chronic feature
of American character In the words of Tom
Thumb, when rebellOn's dead, the New
York press NAV take its breakfast" and
abuse, viIlify and outrage friendly foreign
powers, but at present the task is both pre-
mature and ridiculous. In the existing con-
ditiou of affairs in the United States, Maine
and the agricultural West have far greater
chance of separating from the Union and
ioiniDg Canada than British North America
has of throwing in its fortunes with the en-
feebled, dislocated and dismembered neigh
boring republic
But still there remains the question of bel
vfrtuous indignation of the Northern press.
The few short, courteous and sympathzing
words which her Msjesty's speech contains
are sure to be misinterpreted on the other
side of the Atlantic. 1t is of no use to tell
our American contemporaries that position
of neutrality is both the interest and duty of
this country They are irritated and offended
because England has noe formally AIDED and aJfted
The cause Of the North by declaring the SecessiOHists
L u. a.
syTaJasIf Of Lis country only deal nth de jlys
governments. III Is FACT THAT THE SOUsH Has
ACHIEVED INDEPENDENCE; and even If it were
not so, the decisions of the ablest American
lurist may be cited 10 show that foreign gov
eFnments are bound to recognize and respect
successful revolt The United States, before
the final separation of the American colonies
from Spain, admitted the latter to belligerent
rights England has done nothing more than
strictly follow the American prece tent which
happens In this case to be in strict accord
ance with public law. 1t is, we repeat, the
policy, as well as the interest of this country,
TO abstain from all interference; and the
Queens speech simply Te-asseTts this great |
principle of international truth and iustiee
But, as the Northern people so willfuIly |
misinterpret the practical effect of her Males |
ty's declaration of neutrality, it is worth
while to inquire whether these international
proceedings have the sanction OF strict law.
We say nothing of the article OF cotton, of
which supply sufficient for the consumption
of the coming year exists in this country.
We hear, however, that Admiral Milne, the
commander of the British North American
squadron, has officially reported that ''the
blockade is totally insufficient This state
ment of the gallant Admiral has been con-
hrmed in The most convincing manner by the
action of Congress itself. An act has been
passed which enables the Federal Govern
ment to station vessels Oh the Southern ports
and to collect import duties. As Lord Pal
merston on Tuesdsy night remarked, this en-
actmeut would altogether do away with the
blockade. because il would virtually permit.
at least for fiscal purposes, the ingress and
egress of every description Of vessels not
freighted with articles not cOntraband of war;
We are afraid, knowing the jealous suscep-
Utilities of the Americans, that this question
OF blockade may involve this country In some
difhcult complications. at present We, Ia
common with the other nations OF Europe,
have wisely kept out of the quarrel; and II,
unfortunately, we should be compelled TO
drift into 1t, the blame will not rest with
England, but with Government which has
endssFored, 70 the ruin OF the innocent CON-