The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-14


Secretary Welles to cashier the captain Of the
loquois Immediately AT all events, it is due
no the country, and to the officer implicated,
that the whole matter should be promptly and
thoroughly investigated
Our COAST DEFENcEs.-A Although we do not
anticipate that the excitement created in Eng
land by the Trent affair will he productive Of
more than passing breeze, the language held
by some lof the leading London journals adj
monishes US to be prepared for the conse-
quences Of a shifting of the political cards there
There is no doubt that desperate effort will
be made by the tory party to regain possession
of the government on the strength OF this oc-
currence. 1t is for such an eventuality, and not
for hostile disposition on the part Of the ex-
isting Cabinet, that we have TO be prepared.
Strenuous efforts will be made by secession
agents and sympathizers to work up English
susceptibility at this alleged outrage on the ma
tional flag to fever heat and under the influence
of this feeling Lord Palmerston and his col
leagues may be displaced. In that event the
peaceful relations between the two countries
would not be worth an hours purchase.
We have nothing to fear in a war with Eng
land but the blockade and nvestiture Of our
cities on the seaboard. For this latter danger
government should at once take steps to be
prepared. All our coast defences should be
Immediately repaired and strengthened. and
contracts be given out for iron-plated vessels
and floating batteries, that will render our har-
bors impregnable. As regards any other
results, We have nothing to apprehend
We could withdraw all our vessels from
the ocean, and suffer ten years embargo with
out its materially affecting our domestic con-
dition We happily concentrate within our
boundaries all the elements agricultural, in
,ustrial and commercial-which make a coun-
try sclf-rcliant and independent If there be a
necessity for it we can dispense altogether with
the Silks the woollens, the wines and other
luxuries Of European production. A blockade
of our ports would do more injury to Europe in
single year than it would inhict on us in
dozen. For us it would be union, greater indie
pcndence and self-reliance, and more abundant
dcvclopement Of resources. For Europe, which
depends so much on our products, il would be
bankruptcy, starvation, revolution. We do not
believe that either England or France are eager
to proceed to extremities with people thus
naturally strong. The best way to avoid war,
however, is to be prepared for it.
MEXICAN LETTERS or MARouE.-The injuries
which our commerce is sustaining through
the encouragement given to Southern pryateer-
ing by England are naturally producing a
strong feeling of evaporation among American
shipowners. The war with Mexico has sug-
gcsted 10 some Of the leading men among them
the idea Of employing the vessels which are now
lying idle on their hands in manner which
will bring home to Englishmen all the evils Of
the system which they hypocritically pretend to
dcncuncc, but are indirectly supporting.
Ii the Southern confedcracy has been assisted
to work 50 much mischief to our commerce, it is
asked, why should not Mexico, assailed by two
of the greatest maritime nations Of the world,
be aided with similar means Of annoying her
enemies While she offers to her invaders a
desperate resistance by land, she can, by issuing
letters Of marque, do them a vast amount Of in
jury at sea- Is it likely that American ship
owners. smarting under the consequences of the
bad faith Of England, will turn deaf ear to
the overtures that are being made them TO en-
ploy their vessels in this way: We think not
Public feeling in this country and the action
Of the government would no doubt be employed
10 discourage rs much as possible such CONVEX
sion Of our commercial marine. But the qucs-
ton is whether and to what extent they will be
able TO do il. If we have been unable 10 pre-
vent Northern shipowners from occasionally
aiding the rebels il is not likely that We can
prevent those who have suffered from depreda-
tons committed by privateers, sheltered and
rcftted in English ports, from visiting back upon
English commerce the losses to which they
have been subjected by them.
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PROGRESS OF GAMBIING.--For many years our
Legislature has been attempting to break up
The immoral and perncious practice Of gam
bling. Legislative acts have been passed against
it, and our police have been instructed to ar
rest ali gamblers as criminals. Only day or
two ago q noted establishment, kept by Butt
AllAh, was entered and closed by the police
and we recommend them TO pay their next visi-
tatons to the Tribune and Times Offices the
largest gambling establishments in the city.
But, next to the police, we would also call the
attention of the clergy to the fact that two of
the newspapers Of New York--thc hypocritical
Tribune and The Jeremy Diddler IfDes--which
pretend 10 be among the leading journals of the
country, are Offering gambling bets. and abusing
honest folk who will pot be deudcd into taking
har ba hot Tor. su1,sa IN