The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-17


about to close In upon the rebel lines in vir-
ginia, the intelligence about their Commission
ers will spread dismay throughout the insur-
gent States, and 60 far to break up the whole
rotten fabric of the rebellion.
The HIsToRroAL MONTH OF NOVEMBER, 1891
The month Of November of the year of grace
1861 is destined to become a remarkable
epoch in the history Of this country. 1t marks
the beginning of the ebb tide of this rebellion.
and an ebb which will leave it high and dry for
ever The recovery by the government, and
the reocoupation by the old flag, of the beauti-
full harbor of Port Royal, and the wealthy dis
trict of Beaufort, South Carolina, may be truly
set down as splendid success; the expulsion
of the rebel armies from Missouri is not small
matter; the onward movements of the Union
forces of Kentucky, and the uprising of the
Union men of Eastern Tennessee, as ac-
tive guerrillas, against tho rebels, must
also be embraced in our schedule
Of the encouraging Developments which
this month of November has furnished
in behalf Of the Union cause. On the other
"
Richmond, the unparalleled straits and suffer-
ings of the people Of our rebel States, the pitt
full statement of facts and grievances, necessities
and deficiencies of South Carolina and Of the
Confederate rebel government, as presented to
the Palmetto Legislature by Governor Pickens,
month of November, all go to show that this re-
bellion needs but another sturdy blow or two
to break it all to pieces.
Lastly, the capture of Mason and Slidell the
special rebel ambassadors to England and
France, spoils the calculations of jeff. Davis
and his cabal at Richmond, and their
hopes, whatever they may be, Of o
desperate bargain and sale Of the States under
their usurpation for the armed Intervention Of
France and England. At the same time the fall
ing Of those two head secession conspirators-
Mason and Slidell-into tho clutches of the gov
eminent will produce a dispiriting sensation
throughout all Secessiondom hardly less pro-
found than that resulting from the restoration
of the old flag to the sacred soil Of South Caro-
lima
So much for the first half Of this memorable
month of November. We are sanguine that be-
fore the expiration of the other half this hisori
cal month will be signalized by still more re-
markable and decisive achievements and de-
velopements in the good work of the suppression
of this sinking rebellion.
THE Loss or THE NORTH BRIroN.-A strange
fatality seems to attend the steamers of the
Montreal and Liverpool line. The North Briton
is the fifth vessel belonging to it that has been
lost, and the second that has come to grief in
the st. Lawrence. 1t is only few weeks since
the Canadian foundered in field Of ice off the
coast of Newfoundland; and the wreck of tho
Hungarian last year on Sable Island, at the
western extremity of Nova Scotia, is still
fresh in the public mind. The North
Briton, it appears, struck on q reef Of
the Mingan Islands, group of eighteen,
near Anticosta between which and the latter
lay the vessels usual route, and she soon be
came total wreck. The disaster is doubtless
attributable to the violent storm which was
then prevailing from west to east; but had it
not been for the dangers Of navigation at this
point the steamer would have escaped destrnc-
ton. As it was, had it not been for her great
strength and water-tight compartments, she
would probably have filled and broken up be-
fore any Of those on board could have reached
the shore. 1t becomes a matter for serious con-
sideration now whether the Canadian route by
the ST. Lawrence, should be continued as late
as the month of November, or even beyond a
fnyr nf II Sc Ok hat 50
any case, the voyage to and from Quebec is one
Of unusual risk, and the public is not likely to
place confidence in what has proved 80 very
precarious. If the company owning these steam
ships wishes to escape utter ruin, we should
advise it to change the port Of departure to
New York or Portland, where diminished risk
would be added to other advantages. Although
the vessels and cabin arrangements of this
line are Of undoubted excellence. people in flu
ture will be found unwilling to travel by them
via the st. Lawrence. 1t is indeed surprising
that the company has been able to Withstand
such a succession Of severe shocks as it has al
ready experienced; for, apart from the loss Of
ships, it is well known that the Cunard line is
the only one in the British and American trade
which yields any profit to its proprietors. 1t is
profitable in consequence Of the remarkable
economy and regularity with which it is con-
Quoted, as also the heavy subsidy it receives
from the British government, and the great
confidence which is felt in it on both sides Of
the Atlantic. To the active competition main
tanned is doubtless due the result alluded to.
In the loss of the North Briton we see but one
cause for congratulation-the saving Of the lives
of all on board.
Mason AND SIIDELL-WHAT WAS THEIR MIS-
sIoNf-The newspapers Of the rebel States have
been Boosting very extravagantly Of the great
things that would surely be achieved in Eng
land and France by Mason and Slidell, the
rebel ambassadors appointed to those countries.
What was their mission? Some suppose that
they were empowered to negotiate treaty or