The New York herald., 1861-12-19
OPINION IN IRELAND.

IRON the UubllH Freeman atholc)
Nov. 80
The question between the British and American govern
nent- has taken decided turn against the latter The
law officers were Immediately consulted, and they found
decision is adverse 10 the American government II lays
down, absolutely and without qualification that the osci
bc capture Of Mcssre. Sic and Mason unwarrantcd
by any principle known to civilized nations the prcce-
dents of international law The opinion OF the Attorney
and Solicitor General has invested the iseson with
s more important aspect Than it bore in the tumnt and
excitement Of the first account. The facts
for tho consideration Of tho law officers were
simple. They were comprised In a few sentence cs
Armed with the ophion its law advisers the govern
ment viii proceed to demand repaiation. ,abinc,
Council sat yesterday TO consider the best mode o. sub
mitng the question to the good of the American
government II is hoped the Washington Cabinet viii
not push matters 10 cStremitics. Mr. Seward, Jioa
he brant Of British indignation fa is not quite 50 rcck
less nscnsble to the consequences of s rearaton
where act Of injustice has been committed, 10 load
his already hcncd shoulders with far for
midablc than the dispute with the South. We do
not believe that he contemplated the suicdal alb
surdiy Of forcing quarrel with England to escape from
the other
could omit such fine opportunity 60 make character
and capital by taking armed possession Of British ship
and violating the British Tag what hero VII be he
captain Of the Jacinto when he lands at New York the
rebe commissioners whom he tore from the protection Of
the British flag! Nor is the captain Of the Trent wholly
blaneess he kns,c e the character of The to passengers
,rhe,, he yecei,d them on board. 1t wei known they
eminent S0utlcrns and on an crrapd to England
TO procure armed supplies. IVmt t& LnocelGe Ctp-
proclamation enoiaag neutrality, lecause IN teonaing his
passengers 6y eye oirtady etHed 10 tie protection Qt his
R-d pr0teciln he had no tgdt right 10 grant, oecrnse u
iRr ired rtdlGtion of aeadify II, instead Of the ia
cino British ofwar had ovcrhaucd the Trent, IL
wonld have been the duty Of The British captain - warn
Captain NOR that in arborng the Commissioners h.
violating the proclamation " his own sovercgn aud plac-
ing himself outside tho pale Of the law The boarding OF
British ship under such circumstances IS sufficient TO
excite public Indignation, and il has been loud and gene
raj But England herself has not been very nice in re-
spccng federal rights She has PERMITTED resse's laden
,cith coarabaad goods enormous quani 10 cear o Of
her ports for he Soth Of tch tie Eefmudd has
turned Nth caNo Of coton, after haring tcicc trofe
the MoIdde dt Chnrfeyen--frst in running III with
cargo Of sapetre and next running out with two thou
sand bales Of sea island. Now these things should be
taken into consideration, and Engshmen, when they call
for violent against the federal government,
should reflect that their countrymen have
been violating neutrality and provoking violence
against which they gh The feeling among persons
capable Of forming sound opinion on the subject IS at
If the British Cabinet represent the faets calmly ana mode
rdy TO the american Tcpardon nH 6e mddc ana Messf*.
SijeH and Mason suJ7eadc,ei. Lord Palmerston knows
too well the Importance OIL the interests on boh sues 70
act without the fullest deiberaton Should the Ameri-
can government refuse redress II will perhaps be fol-
lowed by The action OF France and England IN rails
ing the blockade. England tc not declare mdr though
she tci ri,uHy tcaqeR Let the federa government
the responsibility Of procaimng war against Eng.
land and France.
MOVEMENT AMONG THE IRISH NATI0NALIsT5.
[From the Dublin Freeman, Nov. so.
An evening cotemporary states that meeting OF ma
tionasts' held at the European Hotel yesterday.
and that public meeting will be held on Thursday in
tho Rotunda 10 express their opinions the
be adopted the present crisis Of affairs that has arisen
between America and England Among those present at
the preliminary meeting Mr.. Punkett, 7. c.; Mr..
Underwood Mr. Denis Holland (Iishnon), Mr.. sullivan
Mr. p. J. Smith, Or. Waters. &C., &C.