The New York herald., 1861-12-29
The English Peace Party.

The English Peace Party.
We published yesterday an address by the
Rev. Newman Hall, clergyman ofsome celebri-
ty in London, on the affair Of the Trent, and the
warlike attitude of England towards the United
States. Mr.. Hall is bc it known, one Of the
peace party in England, and represents pretty
fairly the general feeling of that section Of the
community His argument against Great Bri-
tain and the United States going to war because
of the alleged affront to the British flag is SEN
sible and impartial, and he does not hesitate to
rebuke the angry passions Of those who camor
for war; Some people, he tells his audience,
seem to imagine that Britannia has a right to
rule the waves; that the ocean is her freehold;
that she may do what she pleases there, and
that other nations must not be allowed to act
in manner which she considers quite justifable
in herself; and he very properly stigmatizes the
sentiment as unjust and monstrous. He also
deprecates the idea Of England taking advan-
tage OF the present position of this country
and finds parallel in the case of two
men fighting, one of whom, for some reason
shakes his fist at third party Would
~ ~ DAovCy A0 0ShCuy IOE tuc ldtltT
at once to fight hims No; bravery would say,
"Wait bit, my fine fellow; you've enough on
your hands at present. I'm too much of man
to accept your challenge just now. Finish af-
fairs with your antagonist frst-two at once
isn't fair" He scouts the idea Of fighting under
any circumstances, and says that, supposing
arbitration to fail, there would be the third
alternative Of forgiveness; and this last he
strenuously advocates, processing himself utter
ly sstonished at the widely entertained opinion
that England must have either redress OF re-
taliation. He recommends Cancellation, and
points to the exultation which the enemies Of
liberty would feel at seeing the two great
champions Of human freedom contending with
each other, and the British flag dishonored by
floating side by side with that Of q confederacy
of shareholders; and he concludes by saying,
I'VE will have no war with Americas pro-
phecy which he will find true, but owing in no
respect to his own instrumentality.
The efforts of the gentleman in question are
well intentioned; but his arguments would have
availed as little in preventing war between
this country and England as those of Mr..
John Bright and his colleagues with regard
to Russia, before the commencement Of the
Crimean war. 1t will be remembered that
these gentlemen went on special mis-
sion, as delegates of the peace party in
England, to the Emperor Nicholas, and
urged upon him the avoidance Of war with
Great Britain, picturing, Of course, all the hor-
rOrs which inevitably arise from conflict SO
gigantic. The Emperor told them he was quite
in favor of peace, but of course the conditions
were not to be overlooked. The peace party
returned to England without making any i'm
preston upon the Gar, whose desire for peace
and willingness to fight they could hardly re-
concile. Yet there are people who think mes
sengers of peace are to be found in such men
as Mr.. Bright and the disciples of Christianity.
They think that few missionaries sent into the
midst Of the hostile New Zealanders would pro-
cure peace; and they think many other things
on the subject which history has abund~ntly
falsi6ed. What did the missionaries do in India
before and during the mutiny to bring peace?
1t has yet TO be learned that the only messen-
gers of peace are riaed hundred Founders It is
evident that with all our civilization security is
only to be purchased by strength, and that the
nation whose peace is least endangered is that
which is best prepared to defend itself and
punish others. Arguments are impotent unless
backed by cannon.