Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-27
From lhe snfinRheld Republican.
THE TRENT CONTROVERSY

The bearer of dispatches to Lord Lyons at
Washington is representa- to have been as
tonished at the tranquility OF the country
he passed through He expected to have
found the Americans in fierce warlike
commotion as the English were when ne left
and even feared that be might be placed in
personal danger. Instead of this he found
everything quiet, the Yankees all busily at
work as usual, and nobody but the newsboys
making any noise over the great news from
England. But while our people are very lit
tie excited, and not at all alarmed by the
bluster on the other side there is of course a
very earnest desire to know in what shape
the British government has presented the mat
ter and whether we are to understand that
it is a ioregone conclusion with England to
fight Us at any rate As the facts stand, even
with the British Interpretation of constitu-
tional law assumed for this special occasion,
il is a matter for remonstrance on their part
for the explanation by our government, for
the interchange Of friendly diplomatic notes,
and If the parties cannot agree upon an ad-
jus,meut. for arbitration by some one or more
disinterested governments.
That is the whole case, aud it involves not
the slightest danger of collision between the
two governments from anything in the nature
of the facts. Matters of much greater i'm
portance have been ad justed between the two
governments without any furry, or the need
even to call in the friendly mediation Of other
powers. 1t is settled matter that our gov
ernment does not seek war, and will do all
that can be honorably done to evade it
There can be no war, therefore, unless Eng
land wants war and is bent upon it ct all
hazards. And if the danger of war exists
in her warlke purpose, then she will have it.,
and if the Trent affair had not occurred, she
would have found cause Of quarrel, or made
it. about something else. The only question
is, then, what is the disposition of England
in the matter-not what our government may
do or say When we can get at the real ami
mus OF the English government we shall know
exactly what to expect.
There are several things we are learning by
this unexpected difficulty, the most obvious
aud striking of which is, the contemplate
place to which we are destined to fall as
nation if we allow this rebellion to succeed
The arrogant and supercilious tone with
which the British press discusses the Trent
affair is premontion Of what will be our
general treatment if we let jeff Davis break
up the Union. Two years ago the English
papers would have assumed no such tone,
nor would the British government have been
driven by popular clamor into hasty and pre-
mature action upon such matter as that OF
the Trent If we cannot put down the
Southern rebellion, Notwithstanding the
wealth and strength of the free States, we
shall be treated by all nations with the same
insolent contempt which the English people
have now assumed. Thus our domestic
struggle is in fact for national existance, for
TO ho lo1I toA Moxfc, .p1 9th
weak governments are by the great powers /,
worse than utter destruction a nation. Il
we fall to that degradation we will beg fol
an Legitimate ccion Of some royal line tc
come and rule over US.
Another thing, which we partly knew be-
before, is made more clear by this affair, and
that is the fact that the British goyernmen
is much more directly controlled by popular
camo. than our own. Our administration
are sure Of power for four years at all events
The British cabinet goes out whenever it il
defeated in parliament. Consequently it hai
TO be perpetually on the watch for tho veer
ing Of the popular weather cock, and when
ever any exciting topic comes up the oppos
ton party Immediately seizes upon it for po
litica capital, and the cabinet must go viii
the mob or run the risk Of being summarill
ousted That is the whole secret of tn,
prompt action of the British cabinet on th'
Trent affair it acted not from its own pas
sion. but in Difference to the passion of the
populace. artiuly stimulated by the cottono
cracy for its purposes and the anti -minsteria
party for its purposes. Thus the British gov
ernment. with all its boasted dignity anS
stability, is really much more at the mere,
of popular passion than our own, and suffer
some of the worst evils, without the compen
sating advantages. ofa republican government
And whether we have peace or war will
England there 10 one thing that nation viii
learn from the present trouble, and that i
that we appreciate and shall remember 70
some time 10 come the cowardice and tn
meanness they have displayed in seeking T.
take advantage of our misfortunes, and Il
encouraging and aiding the traitors who see
our destruction.
1t appears that Ben Mccullough is at Rich
! mond because summoned there to answe
: charges preferred against him for needlessl
: burning property Of southern men, and fo
| refusing to reinforce Price when the latte