Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-20
A War with Rpginnd-Its Results

CEcCQ Oy 0EOtler arrival IO u UQSEe BpBCs
A War with RDgiabd-Its Results
Tie prin cipal topic of conversation in all
circles for the past few days has been the
probability of war with England, couse
ouent upon the arrest of Messrs. Mason aud
Shdel The tone of the English press would
Indicate that there is no other hope, unless
our Government Immediately releases these
distinguished Confederates aud makes ample
apology for selling them while under the
protection of British flag. But so far our
Government has shown no disposition to do
so, and it is extremely doubtful whether
it will.
Were we not now engaged in putting down
the rebellion in our own borders, a war with
England or almost any other foreign power,
would be welcomed rather than otherwise,
and, as it is, the majority of the loyal people
of this county, rather than be humiliated
in the eyes of the whole world, will exclaim
"let it come"
The terrible consequences of refusal on
the part Of our Government to release Mason
and Slidell, as held up to US by the British
press, are the recognition of the Davis Con-
federacy; the raising of our blockade, and
the blockade of our Northern ports" The
editor of the London Times adds also the
benefits likely to accrue to Great Britain:
at would at once set free our industry from
the anxiety Of a cotton famine, and give
prosperity to Lancashire through the winter
AT the same time we shall open our trade to
eight millions in the Confederate States, who
desire nothing better than to be our Gus
tomers."
The New York Post, in commenting upon
this, says that it is useless to deny that a
declaration of war by England just at this
time, would add materially, for little time,
to our embsrrsssments. 1t is quite possible
that, by shrewdly availing herself of our
difficulties, she could for while deal US
come bard blows. But it is certain that in
the long run she would be, as she has been
already twice before, the severest sufferer.
Let US consider the real meaning of the
threats which the London Times holds out to
terrify the Yankees into submission.
England will "raise the blockade" She
will sweep our little feet from the seas, as
the London Times modestly said, forgetting
that this was already tried in 1872, without
success. England has formidable navy.
But she has also a vast naval commerce. she
has disputed with us for ten years past the
carrying trade of the world. 1t is her boast
that her merchant ships dot every ocean and
sea and we hsve it on the authority of one
of the Oldest and best-informed shipmasters
in this port, that in two months we can have
at sea $500 privateers able and eager to
"sweep from the ocean" not little, but a
very great feet. Great Britain has great
navy; but she has also great many assail-
able points; and in case of war with a naval
mower, would require nearly every armed
ship she could man, to act as convoy to heI
% merchant fleets, and as guard to her exposed
dependencies.
From the blockade of our ewn ports we
have little to fear. We are what the South.
ern rebels imagined themselves to be-toler
ably independent of foreign nations. VIZ
have exported breadstuffs-we can msnutac
ture cotton-we have machinery, and mel
who bave made made machinery for thu
British Government itself And we havt
been drawing gold from Europe for nearly {
year past. "a blockade ofthe Northern ports
is not such shild's play as the Times writers
suppose it; but with most of our merchant
ships turned into privateers, and the nation
which has sold to us most largely our enemy
it is probable that we could bear it withou
suffering.
Finally, the Time, suppOses that in case o
war England would at once get supply o
cotton, and would be enabled to open a trad,
with 'eight millions of people who want t,
trade with u.s." Suppose ''the blockad
IaiEedi" suppose our San JdeiatOs driven oI
the coast suppose New Orleans and Mobil
opened; suppose the cotton Aeet--such par
of it as has escaped capture on the outwar
passage-laden and safely out of port, sail
ing for England under heavy and expeu
sive convoy. 1t is a chance of getting col
ton at a cheap rate which Yankee cruiser
would be but too ready to avail themselv'
of and we advise the London Times peopl
in case they bring their government so 4
asa declaration of war against us, to be yer
careful how they risk their means in I'll
Southern trade.
I'll quite true that the rebels would /
glad to trade with Great Britain. The
would be glad to give their entire cotto
crop to England, if she would engage to tai
II away within three months. But it is ali
aI,trus that the North has always consumed :
ibfBilely greater amount of England's ma
ufactures than the South; it is true tn
Ohio and Illinois consume more foreiI
goods than all the Southern States togeth,
that one county IN New York cons sumes ID
imports) more foreign goods than the VIII
- State Of South CarOlius; and that the mark
which is Of real value and importance
E-pisrd IA not in the Soush where "a