Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-05-24
southern Privatsers---Lord JohE
Kusselrs UpiBsOn.

southern IonA
Kusselrs upiEion.
From DE DabIia News, Nay II
The exciting accounts which follow each
other so rapidly from New York, shcWIthat the
crisis so long anticipated has at length arrived.
The American question has now superseded all
others in immediate interest. The
Federal Government has proclaimed a block
ads Of the southern ports, but until they can
cover two Thousand miles OF seahOard with
their cruisers, the blockade will not be what is
called reflective" and the British admiral on
The station will protect British vessels in en-
tering and leaving ports not effectively closed
by a considerable naval force. This matter
may easily lead 70 a collision with United
States ships Of war, and very probably John
Bull may not be unwilling to seize the present
favorable opportunity for wiping off old scores.
On the other hand, it was thought that En-
GLAND would refuse TO acknowledge the legality
OF the letters Of marque issued by the Presi-
dent Of the Confederate States, and would
hold hig government accountable for any loss
or capture, under the authority Of those let
tiers, Of British property sailing IN American
bottoms. The hope, hswsver, has been disap-
pointed. Prvateering has been condemned BY
The unanimous voice Of the civilized nations Of
Europe, The United States alone raising lie
voice in opposition TO the condemnation. The
South ls so weak in naval resources that a pro-
test from the maritime powers might put a
stop 70 the threatened renewal OF this barba-
rous system Of privateering, which, indeed, is
little better than piracy. 1t is worth remark
ing, that one OF the first writer's who held up
privateering to exeerstion was an American,
the famous Benjamin Franklin, next to WASH
I ington, the founder of the freedom and indie
pendence Of the United States. His authority,
however, does not seem to have much weight
with Americans OF the present day, as both
northerners and southerners hsve declared for
the continuance Of this species Of legal TiracV.
The Times has been told that there are letters
Of marque now in London, and agents have
arrived BY the last steamer to make contracts
for Armstrong guns, and all other wsTlike
stores Of the most recent invention. "Both
parties,o says the writer, "Will come into the
markets Of Europe ADD bid for men and ships.
So far as priVateering is concerned, the South
will have the advantage. No adventurer would
care to take service with the North, because
there would be little or no prey. The Sou'h
has no commerce., and its produce would
be carried In neutral bottoms. Tbs
North, however, has ships upon every sea, and
is a victim that viii pay a pluHderer. There
are silk caTgoes 70 be Intercepted, even in tho
eastern seas, and the treasures OF California
are to be met with aAoat.o It is now quite
plain that in this quarrel, despite all that has
been said and written sboHt slavery, England
sides with the COnfederated States. She does
so, indeed, compelled BY the strongest motives
Of self-inteTest. Her cotton manufactures
cannot flourish, OF even exist. without tht
usual supplies Of raw msterialfrom the South
The North has Just adopted a pIotsctionis'
tariff very unfavorable 70 English interests
and, in resisting the enforcement and eXtensio
of this prohibitory tariff, the South is virtually
fighting E~nglGnd's Battle. Still more, tht
jealousy Of the United States, as a usriuml
power, is a fixed principle Of British states
manship; and We may be certain that the new
Of the blow Just Inflicted on a navy which, il
some respects, was formidable to England, bal
given satisfaction, not loud, but deep to To-
great bulk Of Englishmen. It is so easy {,
bring about a collision, and under presen
circumstances, it would be 80 safe an
advantageous for England to pick a quarre
with the Government Of the United States, tia
we shall not be surprised to find her majesty
Government assuming a position with Tegar,
to this civil broil which may easily lead e
war. That they viii allow the cotton suppl
10 be cut off by the blockade Of the Southern
ports is hardly 10 be expected. Doubtful CUES
tons o. right are easily and promptly settle.
when there ia no doubt about the question oil
force. The burning Of Gosport docky ard has
for the moment, placed the United States nav
at EnglaDd's mercy, and if, on this occasion
England is considered as a rival foe, we mus
be nearer to the Millennium than is properly
supposed. This has been announced to th
House Of Commons by Lord John Russell il
words which point strongly in the direction o.
a rupture between England and the Unite.
States. Lord John declared that the British
Government would not recognise the blockad
proclaimed Ok the Southern ports unless i
were made effective, but that they did recog
nizs the legality Of the letters OF marqu
issued BY President Davis. Now, the Wash
ington Government threatens TO treat the hold
ers Of these letters Of marque as pirates, an
unless Yankeeland has sunk very low, they
will probably show fight also on tbs blockad.
question. It is evident that Lord John knew
more about this matter than be chose to com
municate to The house and the public. And j
is also evident no more favorable occasion
than the present is likely to offer for striking
a blow at one Of the few marine rivals EDglan
has cause to dread.