Smyrna times., 1861-12-26
Our Affairs with ENGLAND.


Nothing is known of the actual condition of
the relations between this country and Eng land
a regard 10 the Trent affair but outside con-
3se,ure. Messengers have been sent to and
fro with government dispatches. but the great.
az silence is maintained in regard to their con.
tsnIs II we are to believe the latest arrivals
Gsm England. that government is making the
nos. active warlike preparations, while the
psble excitement continues undated, and the
press 10 fsnning the flames with its hirerest
inTeeIiVes.
The tone of the Csnadisn papers also shows
that the war feeling in that eosntTy is quite as
strong as 10 England. aud that active prepare.
ton. are being made for the hostilities that
will snsue if a diplomatic adjustment of the ex-
is,ing complica tion with England is not speed
i.y made. The consequences of q war with
that Power. at this juncture, are so grave and
serious that it is the solemn duty Of the Ameri.
can people TO stare them fully in the face, and
to avoid them. If they can hOnorabIy do So
We are uOw fairly progressing in our efforts to
u.h the rebellion, but one OF our most effec.
tive weapons is the American navy. The
sringsncy Of our blockade causes more distress
and embarrassment in the South than the move
nenis Tour army. II constantly cripples and
Injuries them in every possible way. The d.
versions made BY our naval expeditions at Hat
tsras, At Port Royal, at Tybee Island, at Ship
Island, and at other points, distract IAeir atien.
tion. GIL Ihsir minds with gloomy apprehen-
siOns, and add imme asUTsbly to the difficulties
with which they are obliged 10 contend. Much
sf 'ur navy has been increased, it is still so far
inferior to that Of Great Britain, that one Of the
first consequences Of a war with that country
sOuld be the virtual destruction Of eur block
ale on the Southern coast. The whole power
dihe rebels could thea al once be concentra-
ted upon their northerR line Of operations, while
tide OF wealth would flow in upon them fer
their cotton. and they would be abundsntly
supplied with all The arms aud munitions Of
war iheJ could possibly require. Meanwhile.
car saabcard would be mesaeed by the British
nesis, and even if We were fully successful in
defending il, We woald necessarily be obliged
to devote 10 that PuSposs a large portion Of our
s'silable strength. IL is Irue, that in turn we
m'ghi do great harm to British interests; that
her eitiiens own many hundreds OF millions dol
lars worth Of property which we could confs.
cate; that our privateers might prey upon her
commerce; aud that we might conquer psr.
ton OF the whole of Cauada. But this weuld
be but slight reeompense for the almost Ger.
tain success Of the rebelIioA, and The total dis.
rOPt'on OF cur CoIfederaey, which would prsb.
ably be secured by British aid, and for the her.
eulesn exertions aud enormous sacrifices we
should be obliged 10 make to contend success
fully against two such sdVersaries ss the reb.
ella OF ihs South and the greatest nayal Power
OF the wsrld. Common prudence sesss to ra.
Guirs that in the midst OF the greatest struggle
Ia which we have ever engaged we should dc
ell that we honOrably can to avoid an addition.
al eompiesiisn Of the gravesl character.
Fhe intelligence from Washington indicates
'hat Me Sewsrd has evincsd conciiiatory
spirit IN his DISCUSSIONS of the Trent affair; tha,
war Will be avoided if the national honor can
De Peaeeably msiataIned. At all events, we
'hInk hostilities cannot ensure, unless they are
forced upon US on such an issue as will place
s' so clearly in the right, and England so clear.
" to The wrong, that the judgment of the in.
tsl'Igent PortiOp Of her own people and of the
s''iiiEed world wi,I be emphatissIly sgainst her