Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-30

n.,rl ,,h an ancient maritime rival the navy Of the
United States has sunk into comparative nlgnineance;
That however is not our fault 1t unharpuy We should
be forced into hosties it will not be ia order to show
Thai INC ei of our commanders and the prowess OF all
ranks OF the navy have undergone no abatement
Though isolated opportunities Of this kind will not be
wantpg-but 10 defend rights sacred that we cannot
allow them to be mpughed simply because the aggres
sor happens to be weak as well criminal We con-
uue 10 hope that other considerations than that OF u
precedented power bring to support our demands
will cause them to be met in equitable and accomo
dating spirit.
From the London Post.
The chances are aRainst the probability OF war be
tween England and North America on tuesday, we
stated on authority that excluded doubt that In dplo
matte circles il was understood that reference would be
made to ous Napoleon and Yesterday the telegram con-
filmed our statement The Emperor Of the French has
already offered his services as mediator, and they are
pretty sure to be accepted The matter in dispute is
legal question Ministers themselves gave that char
acter when they submitted 1t to the law advisers Of Che
Crown The Attorney and Solicitor Generals not in
fsbe they may be wrong, aud it docs not become the
greatness and majesty of England to involve the world
in on point OF law respecting which the most pro-
found lawyers differ The Emperor Of the French hav-
ing offered himself mediator, the obvious Inference
is that he will not join England in against Ameri.
Ca We will infer that he would become the ally oil
the Federals
From Liverpool Mercury.
The fall Of cotton to the extern of a penny pound
has Somewhat cooled the ardor Of several OF tie gentle
men the Liverpool Exchange who took part Tin the
great indignation meeting" which was held on the
the receipt the of the seizure Of the Confederate
Commissioners. Perhaps Of the spectators thought
that il they could get up panic the price OF cot
would also 10 up. In this, however, they we're mis-
taken. Cautious men that il declared by
this country the Federal Government could not long
maintain the blockade Of the Southern ports, and in
that case there would be plentiful supply Of cotton
| Prices therefore, went down but under tie rhu-
euce of pacific anteipations part OF the fall has
been recovered Threwd observer Of men and thiogs
remarked the other day that there men on Change
who would for their selfish purposes, like decla
ration Of war every day.
From the London Times
As to the general of events in the present hour
Of suspense any Ordinary from America must
It aud undressing We feel that divided by
gceat gull from the before the outrage the Trent
The events OF the war which excited curiosity fort
night ago lose much Of their interest since know
that their import s subordinate the larger ISSUE
While h two parties carrying their usual desul
tory wsrfsre-this eide bombsrdDg a Confederate sea
port that side burning Federal town. we know that
message Is its way from England to America the re
oepuon Of which, may change the civil into a great
AMI world vide struggle. Nothing interest us
unless il relates TO the question, will Messrs Mason
and Sde be given up. Every thing that bears this
will be greediy read by the British public; everything
that tends TO show the temper OF the Americana
give clue to the intentions Of their Government will be
mnutely nvesg ited and discussed Unhappiy, the tel
egrams publish to-day give little information this
point.
So far able to Judge from thsm the Ameri
to be unconscious Of the momentous contro
versy which they have raised IL IL said that an uneasy
feeling prevails but canncl but think that being so
accustomed to the British give way in similar cases.
Ihsy will in few days have taken il for granted that
everything is right and that after little grumbling
England will acquesce not oly in what they have DONE
hut 10 what they announce their intention of doing
Toe brought BY the present mail b also the less i'm
portant nasmuch the burning Of the Harvey Birch
ard the admission Of the Nashville to ret at Ssuhamp
ton had not yet reached the States. Although every
thrg have done in this is strictly legal and in.
deed, could no. have been refused without a manifest
breach Of neutrality yet the theory OF the North that its
enemies rebels and that have no right to aid and
abet them, will probably fresh outburst of anger
inst 1t IS perhaps not in the interest OF peace
lul solution that the Federal Congress TO meet
the I'd Of the present month since President Lincoln
hardly avoid giving in his message opinion the
of Captain Wilkes and II is probable that under the in.
lsnce Of HIS Secretary Of State he may have commit
ted himself to assertions and promises which will make
it very difficult for him to do justice We can only
hoos that when the dispatch OF the British Government
is received the conviction that England is thoroughly in
earnest will iaduco the President and the sober
members Of the Cabinet YIELD in spite Of any pledges
they may have sivOa in the hour fanoied sNOurity.