The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-24

~ NhE 1DtIVh OF THE BEHALD.
New YoxK, Dec. u, 1891.
be heard the political crisis in which we are involved
have formed the conclusion request that you viii
afford me an opportunity, through the columns of the
HERALD to address fellow citizens the occasion
Of very serious aud momentous difficulties with the
most perfect confidence that through this channel OF
communication the views have prepared for publication
will be conveyed to tho most remote sections Of tho
Uni.e States and with the greatest certainty 70 the
hghtened intelligence Of Europe.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON
As cannot imagine any one Of my fellow citizens
could suppose that would willingly recommend inca
sures for tho adoption Of the federal which
could, in the slightest manner compromise tho honor Of
the United States do hesitate TO PROFOUND for the
public consideration the proprety Of acting in pre-
sent diBchsies witks greatest possible crcumspec
eon Tho administration have trust to perform Of the
most delicate character; their situation 10 trying aud
novel; and while am confident they win exercise their
best Judgment, feel equally sure they will receivo'
with mnch satsfactipp, the matured opinions Of their
CONSTITUENTS In fact esteem to be duty in evory
American citizen to enuncate, with freedom and mode
ration whatever views he may entertain with regard
the management OF public affairs, while, in doing
opinions arc ELECTED through which the government
will become enabled to discover the and reliable
character Of public sentiment II u for the people,
On occasions Of such moment to remain silent inder
ont as to the proper to DO adopted They are
the great conservative power and therefore should
refuse to pronounce Judgment. They should mako
preliminary demonstration. In this way, and
in this way only those holding the govern
ment have an opportunity TO estimate judge of tho
wishes and will OF their constituents If the public do
not afford any indication Of their Judgment the whoe
spcnsibty falls the government Of constituting the
law and Ia initiating policy, without the legitimate
criteria incident to an enlightened republican organza-
- nal fha mas
sents considerations OF critical Importance and mas
much ~ they inwtve consequences Of the
tous import 70 Cur future prosperity and the
government have right TO eok confidence and support
from our remotory dem onsirations II la evident thu.
opinion having already gone abroad that the capture Of
the treachcrous embassy not only strictly correct
but ia perfect accordance with the settled will Of the ma
tion. 4%
In the energy and integrity OF the government we have
reason 10 trust they may nevertheless be involved in
the dilemma Of running counter to the already expressed
popular Judgment and thus disappointing pubic OK roc
taon, or IN yielding to It's influence sacrifice the rerm
nen and the dearest interests Of the country an
apprehension that the united and Will of the people
may not DO relied on FOR their support. II Is
therefore on US, the sovereign people, obiga-
ton deynlvcs to give to the administration direct
expression OF our confidence, showing T. what extent
VIC are prepared to receive with approval whatever
course Of policy the assembled repros natives OF the
nation may dlQ to be- exp dient and wise. In this we
must, ne ysr.dEss hope that whatever may be the do
cisicn 0 the Cabnet pss will be adopted such system
Of energy and force that the public mind may not
lapse, yhx6ug disappointment, into apathy or
indfekencc. II, on review Of all the circumstances
attending the seizure OF the Southern Confederate agents.
II be thought advisable that they should DO surrendered
let u be done promptly in our possession they have
value while in confinement The mountain labofs omnous
OF Increased embarrassment
II 1t be not necessary for the preservation OF our
honor and dignity that should encounter the crces
and caames Of foreign war, prudence and patriotism
would dictate that it should be avoided that we are
not IN condition to engage ia conflict Of grcatiy in
creased complications be question: the more
especially as we could not venture on such an issue with
Ill hor
to marguerite policy Of ultra measures, portendng
system Of general emancipation, stimulated excited
to tic most violent ends of Instruction II do not
respond 10 the requirements OF Great Britain spirit
Of forbcarance and conciiatpn, making due |
allowance for the extraordinary sensibility they |
seem TO entertain with regard to their wounded !
pride and the protective importance OF their flag,
becomes Inevitable, and, without entering into the con
liberation Of what may be tho ultimate consequences il
certain that any Increased difficulties at the present
moment could not fail 10 be disastrous. II Is the eore
or us to determn whether IL would not DO proper and
cxpcdcnt estimate the value OF the
and settle with Great Britain such
to imagine will receive the approval Of
continental Europe, especially in doing shall
stand independent OF the cruel necessity OF entering
crusade against the Institution Of slavery the potent
means power to srcceed in the niciion Of para
lying, deadly wound. In this emergency have the
strongest ind cemenis TO close with Great Britain
terms Of the most besa construction and should their
and language prove Courteous tho modification
and tho disco edit viii be found eventually rcactivo
blot English diplomacy while we shah lose nothing in
declining % be Involved in false collateral issue Of
offended self esteem, proud Britain will gain nothing by
their domineering dctation 1t will be but sacrifice TO
the nperious demands OF our peculiar situat,on-tho |
humanity Of Northern seutiment-for, while 1t is I
true that might fairy attribute the Inauguration OF
servile the dishonoable pressure of foreign
uence we could not eyade tho responsibility of having
been tho instruments of giving to 1t maturity and |
strength Its course Of violence can easily oresee,
would prove than the horrors Of St. Denim
go outrage, and its progress enduring dic ut
destructive than the costly seminole strife subjuga-
ton III which the Sonih exclusively gained the most
ror,ant rcmunera.iye advantages In my judgment We
Inv nf
sibi.ity; must meet the demands Of Great Britain
with the best grace in oar power The gravity Of the
isue which rests tho North in the preservation
conservative supervision over the negro population
should they under any circumstances be admitted to the
enjoyment Of independence, will BIO found fn Of embar
easements and difficulties II is to 80 purpose we en-
tcrtain the belief that relative position would be
teriay changed had we no intestine troubles AMI that
il is more than probable il we had our full ygor and
strength the PREPARATION claimed would be couched in
lang mage Of respectful refinement such is due from
sovereign nation towards another. Under existing cir
curnstances must take our troubles tni them
Their surroundings net only complicated but extreme
~ embarrassing and to extent Of which the casual
observer conception and many Of those
who esteem themselves web informed are. unfortunate
", most profoundly ignorant.
have copied the following extract from tho London Tines
IL appears to bear the stamp OF quasi official charac
tor ana on that authority We have right TO conclude
that the ministers Of the Crown fully sensible OF tho
magnitude aud importance OF the position they might
ind 1t necessary 1t is to purpose, at tho
present moment that their foresight Is limited the
dius OF circle OF extremely limited din,cnsions they
would be disposed TO humble people fun en-
listened intelligence, struggling to sustain political
constitutional liberty for tho miserable indulgence Of
jealous desire to break down competition, who its
surface, and on its surface only they enabled to dis
the possibility Of any Injurious rivalry 10 their
tional prosperity
OPINION OF THE LONDON TIMES.
From the London TDes Nov. DO
The Cabinet met yesterday deliberate the steps which
should be taken obtain for the outrage
on the British tag 0n moentous occasion
not doubt that every point discussed with the
and Ina. the decision arrived without full
Of the present Of greatest
experience and the most profound learning LORD Palmer.
has been engaged political life q tury and
has conducted the foreign affairs of this
pregnant with revolutions and dynasiic chan Lord
Russell has all his life made constitutional history
favor oil national and individual liberty. 1t would have
been difficult 10 lind at any period profound
knowledge conf incd with u judicial than
united In Sir Cornwall Lewis; and In tac Lord
Chancellor the government has adviser whose Yepa,a.
ton jurist il second in Europe.
may be stated that the Cabinet has continually avaed It.
self OF the assistance officers OF the Grown and
their mature and reiterated opinions The public will there
fore feel that In supporting her MaJestys they
do but claim that a founded in truth and Justice
We may then, that the Cabinet has the
sion that the act OF the captain Of the San Jauto sezng
passengers board British vessel aGd them
for which reparaon be al demanded In all
probability steamer will carry despatch
s,ructlng Lord Lyons TO demand repafaion the ad
Of the San Jaento IN SELLING Messrs. Mason
Side while under the protection Of the British flag
this Just demand not be complied WITH cannot doubt