Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-12-24
THE GREAT AFFAIR I'm THE
NORTH.
OnEason. OF &c Pre,..

OPFs9eHs of Gee Pres.
We present below the spirit and tone OF IL
most prominent of the northern press:
From the New York Tribune
It is a question for diplomacy, not for wa
1t is a subject to submit to the arbitration of
court Of international publicists, and not to Sc
Element by hostile declarations. The case is
good one for such an arbitration and should nj
be lost. The question has vexed the nations fC
more than half a century let it be settled no.
and forever. With this view OF the case, we Sc
no possible difficulty 10 grow out of this affair
Great Britain asks for az explanation. VIII
should not our government, in making 1t, dt
clare, IS is unqueStionably true, that 1t disclaim
any Intentional offense, and that while 1t think
its act perfectly justifiable by the law of nation
and tho circumstances of the case, yet that J
will cheerfully submit it TO arbitration and abid
by the result.
If a court of publicits. appointed from differ
ent nations, with full authority from their gov
eminent 10 settle this. and perhaps ether ques
tons OF International law, shall decide that tn
act of Capt. Wilkes was irregular or wrong, TN
United States would lose nothing in dignity no,
in selErespect in abiding faithfully by tnat de
cisi,d, and even restoring Mason and SAdell
should that be required.
We deprecate almost beyond all things elst
any difficulty with great Britair, We ask peace
but we ought not, under thS circumstances, tC
be unprepsred for the complication OF events
that may render it impossible.
The news, rs was % be expected, created q
profound sensation The stock market expert
enced a heavy decline. OF course there was a
good deal of buster on the part OF the reckless
ana rnra8aAlng, and q disposition to defy Eng
\, bsr worst. lint II annparp1 70 no tha
sarti,sent of the "solid men, that if, after mature
examination, we find we are in the right, then we
aust maintain the course of Capt Wilkes at all
asst. II, on the other hand, we find we have
erred, then we should frankly and fairly say so,
and end the matter. The general opinion, how
ever, favored the retention of Mason and Slidell
It was urged that the government could hand
somely disclaim any intention of insulting the
British flag, and stand firmly, on British preee-
dents, against delivering up notorious rebels who
were taken whilo on their way to do us further
injury; and this they could do with good grace,
since the Trent was clearly acting in violation OF
the queens proclamation, and therefore laid her
self liable to search and seizure. 1t was report
ed that the Board of Underwriters and the
Chamber of Commerce were to meet for consult
alton upon the news. but no such hasty action
was taken. Both will wait official intelligence
from Washington before proceeding in the
matter.
In the Board Of Councilmen resoluti ms were
unanimously adopted urging upon Gov. Morgan
the p~ropriety Of taking immediate measures to
organize, drill, and equip the militia of the State
in the most efficient manner, and to take active
steps. in cooperation with the national author
tiles, for the protection ST our ports and frontiers.
The mayor also sent to both Boards his message
On our d~efenses, originally submitted five years
ago, in which be states that he has consulted with
bisjuT-General SANFORD, and other military au-
thsrities, whose valuable suggestions for the
detnse Of our coasts and harbOTs, approved by
General Scott, he embodied in his communica-
top
From the New York Heraldl
The Msson-Slidell affair in England appears to
have assumed a b~eligerent and menacing aspect.
The truth is, that If the British Cabinet have
been brooding upon the advantages of a war
with Us, it is only by an iuhexible adherence to
maritime rights that war can be avoided.
The evidences Of her unfriondly disposition have
been constantly betrayed at every stage in this
southern rebellion. Her ministry and her lead
ing journals have lebored to their uttermOst. in
g thousand devious ways, to uphold the sinking
cause of Davis and his rebellious Confedc1ates,
to misrepresent and disparage our army,
our government, and our prosecution of this war.
The rebel steamer Nashville is a piratical
according to the Convention Of Paris, to
which England was a party This piratical
ship, pTeying upon our commerce, and immedi-
ately after she has captured and burned one of
our merchant vessels is admitted into a British
port, and is there perBailted to relit and reyictuaf
for another p~jratical venture. This, too, in the
face of Her Majesty proclamation of neutrality,
ard in palpable violation Of the spirit of that pro-
Our Secretary of State, when waited
upon by Lord Lyons with his ultimstum in the
case of the Trent, can heavily overbalsnce his
account in demanding an explanation of the
very offensive case of the rebel steamer Nashville.
We are assured of the competency of our Secre-
tsTy Of State to produce a pause in the hasty aud
ill-c0nsidere1 warlike Examinations of the British
We expect that we will meet the requi-
sitIons of Lord Lyons, whatever they may be,
with such a budget Of British precedents, au-
ihorities and legal opinions, and with such a
catalogue Of positive of-nses against an imagin-
airy outrage, as will carry conviction with it to
every State ofEurope, and compeleve e England
10 recede from her weak and untenable neon
sistencies. In any event., the surrender of
those notorious traitors, Mason and Slidell, into
the hands of England is absolutely out of the
From the New York Timesl
Al oN4 uliuLohf GhHLHAu anu Az NOlAu ilhN
rely upon it, that in this matter as in every other,
the public peace viii not be disturbed or hazarded
by any persistence of the American government
in an unjust or unwsrranted public act. If the
act of Captain Wilkes was not in conformity
with public law, it will be disavowed. And in
deciding this point our government viii not be
affected, eithes by the unworthy sentiments so
lavishly imputed to it by the English press or by
the more ignoble apprehension lest doing right
should be imputed to wrong motive. We see it
rumored that the Emperor of France has tender
ed his mediation in this instance. 1t is a case
peculiarly fitted to such a mode of settiei1ent-
and we see no reason why, If offered, it should
not be accepted. But we do not believe it will
be needed. Wehaye fuli faith in the wisdom and
the Justice Of our government, and believe that
if wal with England can be avoided with honor
they will have no difficulty in finding the means
of doing it. Nor do we see anything in this
case. in its present aspect, to render a pacific
adjustment perfectly compatible with the honor
Of both nations,
Prom the New YORK WonaI.
If Lord Palmerston has already determined to
in behalf of the South, the intense feel
which this occurrence has aroused will
enable him to do so with the support of the
nation. If our government Is or opinion that
the arrest was legally justiiable, the country
=
will stend by il with perfect unanimity and i'm
movable strength OF determination in its decision
TO face any consequences that may arise. But,
on the other hand, these consequences may be
so grave that the nation expects the President to
be as careful not to refuse any just apology (f
any be duel as he is nrm in his refusal to make
one that England has no right to demand
From the Philadelphia Pressl
On this subject, one sentence Is as good as a
hundred. IF we know the feeling Of the Presi-
dent, the Cabinet, and the people, the required
anology and preparation" will be made-NEv-
Err What Capt. Wilkes did was justified by
the law Of nations, by the law of England, as
laid down by Lord 6toweli, and other OF her en-
inent ~jurists; and more than all, by the prac-
tice Of England. Under such circumstances,
hesitate not to say that, sooner than humble
the pa6on By yielding to tbs ~insolent demand OF
and faithless England, we shall yield
TO the last necessity, and battle with her on the
question.
Prom the Philadelphia Ledger.l
Whatever may be the intentions of England,
il is evident that her attitude is OF the most hos
tile character, and vi should, therefore instantly
prepare for the worst. Every ship yard in the
country should be put instantly at work build
vessels-ofwar. They viii be useful for
home service if they are not needed for foreign
war. Oar lake and nver defenses should be at
once seen to, and active measures taken TO put
them into the best possible condition. If Great
Britain refuses to sell Us ssltpetsr and arms, we
should prohibit the expectation to England Of
breadstuffs, which she win more need than we do
her war material.
Prom thu Philadelphia Inquirerl
Notwithstanding all this bluster of the news
ra,ara NO do NOT hol.ava shara "a anw p,nva nnr