Worcester daily spy., 1861-12-25
THE TRENT AFFAIR.

THE TRENT AFFAIR.
The bearing of Lord Lyons at Washington,
does not appear to be SO hostile as the reports
from England would lead us to expect. He is
civil and good natured, and has resolved to
eat his Christmas dinner in Washington, al
though he had intimated a possibility of leav'
ing for home before the time tor such dinner.
We take the following from the New York
Tribune -
WASHINGTON, Monday, Dec 23,-Lord
Lyons held another conference 10 day with
secretary Seward at the state department.
There is testimony of high authority that The
conference was friendly and satisfactory ana
ii is known that Lord Lyons, who, when oid'
ding guests to a Christmas dinner last week,
intimated that 'the necessities OF his position
might constrain him 10 postpone the feast sine
die this afternoon, several hours after his Wis
it to the stale department, issued cards OF ln-
yitation. Thus far, only the president aud
secretary Seward nave handled thls delicate
affair in the American interest. The last reg
ular cabinet meeting was adjourned by note
from Mr. Lincoln, to avoid the risk OF gelI-
eril and premature discussion, winch might
establish policy. 1t is probable that the ac'
ton f the state department has already prac-
ticaIly determined the conduct OF the govern
nent. Tomorrow meeting of the cabinet
will be held, al which our relations with Eng
land will be thoroughly discussed.
Public expectation here has anticipated from
Mr. Lincoln an offer to leave this difficulty to
the decision Of an umpire to be selected by
England herself, from one OF the four great
European powers, if the opportunities TO make
this offer is allowed him. But if the alterna-
tive of war or a surrender Of the rebel ennis
saries be forced on us, it is expected that tile
president will himself assume all the responsl-
bility, and deliberately make his choice, decld-
ing as he decided the proposition to eyacuate
fort Sumter after thoughtful delays. Surren'
der, in preference to war is without doubt the
choice of many influential persons here, ana
it is pressed upon MIR. Lincoln b. both ctVh
iaus and military men, high in position. Aence
the persistent assertion by several OF our co.
temporares which we again pronounce un'
true thet this conclusion to surrender without
a consideration has already been arrived at.
The president will be governed in his decision
by his determination to crush the rebellion.
That England is almost beside herself Is the
tenor Of the latest and most trustworthy prl'
vate letters. They say that passion has swept
away reason in a manner aud to an extent
unknown since 1881, and that the national
sympathy with the SOUTH developed by recent
events, is startling, Great credit is given by
one OF the most trusted of these writers to ile
British government Tor so long resisting the
pressure of Louis Napoleon and of the work
ing classes, as represented by the weekly jour
nails OF the largest circulation among them, TO
repudiate the blockade 1t remains to be seen
whether the dispatches to Mr.. Adams, which
went a week after the seizure, informing the |
British government that Capt. Wilkes acted |
without specific instructions, will ailay the
popular excitement or abate the ministerial |
demands.
The Washington correspondent of the Phil
adephia Press, ''Occasionap writes as fol-
lows =
"Private letters received in this city, from
American gentlemen sojourning in London, |
represent the feeling OF the British people as
Intensely hostile to tie United States. All the
latent hatreds aud concealed enyes u the last
seventy years have burst forth with renewed
and nothing seemed to be more pop
ular, even with the British masses, than war
with the American public. One writer, Il well
known and highly respected Pennsylvanian.
says under date of November 30tiI, L sicken
At the thought Of the consequence OF this bit
Ter British sentiment, and | trust that the
hopes of the European despots will be disap-
pointed. Hence, Whatever may be the result
Of the pending negotiations between the two
governments, growing out Of the capture of
Mason and Slidell, and have no doubt it
will be peaceful one, not moment should
De lost in making vigorous and complete
preparations against any sudden attack on the
part of our European ioes. We can, in fact,
place but little reliance upon the friensdhp Of
any foreign nation. Russia, indeed, can al
ford to sympathize at her safe and wintry dis.
lance; but our principles are so antagonstic |
TO all the existing systems Of the Old World, |
and our growth has been so marvellous and SO
irresistible, that every indication of our weak
ness, and every omen OF our destruction, are
accepted with JOY by the enemies of free in
sutu,lonS. We can realize how much we
have done for mankind in the almost avowed
anxiety OF the oppressors OF our race to break
MS down, now that VIZ are beset with inde-
scribable troubles We must battle these n-
terests, first, by refusing to give England a
change to embark against us in this great
struggle, and next, by taking such steps as
VIII put us in position Of impregnable de.
fence"