The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-31

ClaI OrBaIllZatiOu -a#
Lessons from the Engiish JournsIs.
We have lately published a number of ex
tracts from the leading English journals, illus
trative Of the opinions entertained in England
upon the civil war now progressing in this
country. We refer to them again because they
contain some very useful lessons for US, and
because we should never be above carrying
out that old and wise maxim Of learning some
Thing even from an enemy There is both o
great deal of enmity and great deal to learn
in these extracts.
And first, as regards our blockade of South4
ern ports-or our coast guard, as it may be
more properly called. The English govern
ment organ authoritatively contradicts the re-
port current here that Admiral Milne has de-
clared the blockade Intellectual. In the same
article, however, it virtually admits that we
have the right-hitherto strenuously denied us,
Of closing such of our ports as we please for,
it says, "if the blockade be effectual, the first
principles of public law tell us that we must
obey with good grace, however disagreeabe
the restriction may be for one great staple of
British industry and British wealth" 1t pro-
tests, however, against the Am ,cican courts
condemning foreign vessels for running paper
blockade, and asserts that our allowing priva-l
teers to pass in and out of Southern harbors
must eventually nullify our right to close the
ports to merchant vessels. Letthe government
learn, then, to make our coast guard eifectual,
as we have repeatedly urged and there will be
no danger Of English French or other fleets vio-
lating "the first principles of public law" by at
tempting to open any Southern port While
we take this necessary precaution against a
foreign war, however, we must neither overlook
nor forget the animus which prompts the English
government to impose upon us restrictions
which have never 1eean applied to any other
nation. No blockade has ever been made
effectual in the sense which the English
now insist upon, for blockading sailing yes
sells are driven from their posts by stress of
weather, and steamers are obliged to leave
either for the same reason or for supplies of
coal. Nevertheless blockades thus inef3-
GENTLY" maintained have always before been
recognized as valid, and even China was al
lowed to close its ports by "paper'' edicts.
Fortune will turn her wheel some fine day, and
when England becomes lowermost these impo-
stions may be recalled to her recollection in
manner more severe than pleasant What IL
sauce for the American goose will be sauce for
the English gander.
The journal which processes to lead the Eng
fish press INDUCES in defence Of its correspon-
dent here. 1t is gratifying to know that, even in
England, the LII. d. conduct seems to need
defence; but we cannot congratulate him either
upon its tone or its conclusion. 1t appeals to
his letters from the Crimea and from India.
when the statements of these letters are now
universally known to be exaggerated and I'M
true, and when libel suits have been instituted
upon them, and verdicts obtained against the
journal which published them and it declares
that LII. d. must speak the truth, because he /
has so often declared himself wrong-he has /
''avowed himself to be mistaken or misinform-
ed" Let us learn from this how much reliance ,
should be placed upon his correspondence from /
this country, and how little we ought to re /
gard either his praise or his abuse. This de-
fence, moreover, recommends Americans to
adopt "a less positive, less provoking, less I
domineering tone" in the discussion of their diff
ferences, and this recommendation we cordially I
endorse. Hard words, abuse and misrepresen- !
tation have had great deal to do with origi !
mating our present troubles, and can never set
tie them. Our congressman, officials, poIiti- !
clans and fanatical organs should "read and In !
wardly digest" these remarks.
Thesame journal declares, in another articIe'
that 'it is impossible to avoid rejecting that the
division of the Union into two great States may
relieve us from many of the troubles with
which we were menaced by the overbear-
ing policy of the old federal govern
ment;" that "the theories attributing i'm
measurable superiority to republican forms of
government have all been falsifed in the plain
est and most striking Manner that our govern
ment has been "extravagantly eulogized for the
very qualities of which it is now proved to be
utterly destitute" and that Englishmen "may
congratulate" themselves "that the old British
constitution has not been precipitately remodel.
ed after Manchester design" This blow is
aimed not so directly at us as at John Bright
and his school; but, like one who watches
quarrel between friends, we may see the weak
points of both of the adversaries clearly dis
played. Here in these extracts, we find acknow-
lodged what we have all along commended was
the moving principle of the animosity Of The
English government against the Union cause,
viz:-the jealousy Of the English aristocracy
against democracy at home or abroad.
The aristocracy saw the influence which q
great republic like our own was having
throughout monarchical Europe We began
through the John Bright school, to mould Eng
land into republic just as England has begun
70 transform Austria into a constitutional mo-
narchy. Our influence began to be feared, and.
first slavery agitation and then the cotton in
terest were invoked to destroy and suppress it.
These acting upon different minds with the