The New York herald., 1861-12-31
THE TRENT SETTLEMENT.
IMPORTANT FROM wASHINGTON--MAsON AND sIIpRLL
TO BE DELIVERED UP If DEMANDED.

i
[From the New York Herald Of Dec 2l.]
According to latest advices from Washington. all
apprehensions Of rupture with England upon the late
affair of the Trent may be dismissed Our Cabinet
are informed looking TO the absorbing and paramount
ssue-the suppression Of this Southern rebellon-wil
Weld the present demands of England conditions
Of her neutrality If these demands involve the res
toration of Mason and Slide to the protection Of the
British flag and disavowal of and an apology for their
seizure by Captain Wilkes.
adopting this alternative OF submission these per-
emptory demands tho administration the hazard of
disappointing the popular sentiment of four loyal States
But little reflection will satisfy every intelligent mind
Of the wisdom Of deferring final settlement with Eng
land until we shall have made an end of this Southern
rebellion There have been some conjectures that
arbitration may be resorted to; but it is better
gracefully to yield to the exgences of the crisis,
and promptly relieve England OF her convenient pre-
text for quarrel, without the Intervention of any
third party. Let government then, the reuu
stons of Lord Lyons the restitution of Mason and Sill
dell to British proecon, and in acknowledgement
that while Captain Wilkes would have been right in sez-
ing the Trent steamer and in bringing her before prize
court for adjudication no was wrong in limiting his
ceedg the seizure Of his prisoners and we
gret that his controlling considerations Of international
courtesy and enency should have resulted in the very
offence which it was his particular object avoid.
An explanation Of this character, we presume, will be
| insulted nag OF England. II may be painful and hn
initiating to us But who will reproach the surprised
traveller Cor yielding to the demand Of Your money
or your life' with the hghwayman's pistol at his
: head? Our government will be amply justified in this
reparation by the public opinion of loyal States
sderng the reocings Of rebclous States pros
meet Of securing the aid Of Englands fleets and armies
the enterprise of the occupation of Washington We
called upon TO exhibit the virtues Of patience and
moderation towards domineering foreign Power, and
submit its arrogant demands and preensions order
to grapplethe effectively withfn insoen domestic
enemy beleaguerng national capital. But as Rome
remembered Carthage from the invasion Of Hannibs and
As France remembers st. Helena win the people Of the
United States remember and treasure for the future
| this little affair Of the Trent.
Nor do we suppose that the pacific solution Of this
entity upon the basis Of highlands offensive u.imatum
will be without equivalent compensation. We expect
that it will secure more decent regard hereafter for
Encapas professions Of neutrality than she has hereto
fore exhibited that such scandaous neutral hosptalies
as those lately extended the praca steamer
Southampton, will not be repeated; and that such
| commercial ventures that Of the steamf Bermuda
TO Savannah will to be made by Brisish subjects
from English ports under the coanvance Of Majesty
government Granted that these demands OF England in
this matter of Mason and Slidsl framed for war
and for peace we have the right to call for faithful
adherence this peace which has been conceded where
war was expected and designed But we are asked why
these humiliang concessions apon quitbe and pre-
text? II Englands purpose is war, will she fine
some other preext upon which there be conces
sonp We answer that by yielding to the arrogant de
mands Of England upon this prctext Of today shal
have reduced her to bonds Of peace from which
not escape except reckless liDuster liable 10 b.
, outlawed by every other European Power.
Meantime, with the re establishment Of peaccab
relations with England shall DO at Liberty TO brin,
whole military power to bear By land and npo
this domestic rebellion We hope, too that admonshe
by tho restless Impotence Of England and France
cotton President Lincoln and his Cabinet will vigorously
push forward the psovements os fleets and armies
and put end to all European bottoms of an inevabl
Southern conederacy by the speedy overthrow Of tn
spurious revolutionary league OF Davis and his confeds
I | rates Then with this rebellion suppressed with ou
| revolted States restored with an army Of million
| men in tho field with powerful navy, including 200
proportion of iron plated SHIPS and with seacoas
and frontier defences upon war footing, shall hay
tho power TO settle, not only our outstanding account
against England but the power to prescribe the extei
and the limitations Of European authority this con;
| pent,