The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-01


huTs.,
Events between this country and England
are becoming graver In Importance every day,
and it therefore becomes the administration
to Immediately assume definite and decided
attitude towards the government Of her Bri-
tannic Majesty. 1t has become evident, not
only from the proclamation of the Queen, but
the various acts and spec ches of her ministers,
that England has placed herself in q position
unfriendly to the United States. This uuwise
course, 80 antagonistic to her real interests,
may be attributed: firstly, to that almost inc.
radicable prejudice against republican institu.
lions and the republican form of government
which has so long and so conspicuously distin-
guished her aristocracy and government; and
secondly, to her dependence upon the sup
ply Of cotton from the Southern States of
America, and the mistaken, contradictory and
confused ideas which prevail in the British Csbi-
net as to the most polite measures for insur-
ing continuance of that supply, notwithstand-
ing the rebellion and the blockade of the
Southern ports
The prevarication, uncertainty and weakness
of the Palmerstons and Russells of Great
Britain in the present critical state of affairs
between the two countries would, in the eyes
of justice, simply inspire contempt; but as
the policy of these men is capable of
exerting vast influence for veal
or for woe, it cannot here be dismissed so sum-
marily. This hesitation, this indecision on their
part, arising from their jealousy towards this
government, which Sir Henry Bulwer long
ago, while Minister at Washington, did not
scruple to libel, by calling it in the most CON
temptuous manner q weak one, and the uncer
tainty they feel as to the issue of the Southern
insurrection, has been greatly increased by the
Misrepresentation of no less parsonage than
Lord Lyons. This is decisive word to use;
but this is time when decisive language. as
well as decisive acts, become necessary. The
substance Of certain portions of Lord Lyons
dispatches to Lord John Russell, on the sub
ject of the blockade and the proceedings of the
federal government in enforcing the federal
laws, has been announced by the latter in the
House Of Commons; and certainly those de-
spatches appeared to emanate from source
anything but unbiassed-nay, more; for they as
Enthusiastically expressed Southern sentiments as
the speeches Of Lord John himself have done
Moreover, the whole conduct of the Palmerston
administration bears out the idea that the
British Minister at Washington is largely re-
sponsible for the shutting and insincerity of his
government at home. An impression has been
conveyed to the Cabinet of St. James that the
North will fail in the struggle now going for
ward for the preservation of the integ.
rity of the Union, and we therefore
think that the administration should adopt sum.
mary measures towards those who thus misre.
present us by taking the part of the rebels, and
that the British Minister at Washington should
have his passports sent to him at once, so that
he may 90 home by the next steamer. We
cannot permit the diplomats of foreign nations
at our seat of government to connive directly
or indirectly with the disloyal and piratical
and, for the qualification of their own preju-
dices, to embroil us in European warfare and
inspire the secessionists with false hopes. which
could only result in prolongina the war isdef-
nitely, but not in altering the final resultoi the
contest.
The report of the debate in the House of
Lords, brought by the America, shows that
tn, government is disposed to play a double
game towards this country till such time as
events determine the side it is to take. If the
North gains speedy victory, the British Minis
try will incline to its support; but if the South
were to gain any considerable battle, their poll
cy would be exactly the reverse. In vulgar
rarlance, this may be called humbugging, and
as such we must treat it. What, for instance,
can be more evasive than the reply Of the Earl
of Granville to the question of Lord Ellen
borough, respecting the Interpretation the
government put upon the words 'lawful
blockade" used in the recent proclamation?
His lordship said that lawful blockade must
be maintained by sufficient force, but it
was not absolutely necessary to render all in
gress or egress impossible; it was enough to
render it extremely difficult If we mistake
not, this studied ambiguity Of expression was
intended to be non-committal, so that the 90.
vernment may be hereafter at liberty either to
regard or disregard the blockade, according to
expediency and ultimate decision
1t is obvious that whoever misuses his influ-
ence by conveying false Impressions to quar-
ter where they are likely to be acted upon
places himself in very culpable position, aud
one as injurious to himself as to those who are
led by his representations. The evil is always
great, even in the private relations of every
day life, but it becomes matter of much
graver import when the case is one like that in
which Lord Lyons and his governmental are con-
cerned at such critical time as the present,
and therefore it is that we say, by all means,
let us send the British Minister at WASHINGTON
his passports without delay, and show Great
Britain that we are determined not to tolerate
her interference in any way, whether diplo-
matte or active. We have the power to assert
and preserve our dignity as we'll as
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