Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-01-08
Poltroonery of the Rump.

There is very little doubt that the Lincoln
government has released Messrs.zMason and
Slideli together with their Secretaries,
Messrs Erlstis and mcfarland, and that all
these gentlemen are now on their way 10
Europe in the steamer Europa, which stop
ped at Fort Warren on her way to sea, DOUBT
less for the purpose of taking them on board.
This mode of delivering them up Is cnarac-
teristic of the Rump. 1t was not an open,
frank. straightforward compliance with the
British demand, but a secret, sly and sneak
ing evasion of a formal surrender. mere
has been no Official annunciation OF the re-
lease of the ~captives to prepare the Einghsn
public for their arrival, but they have been
embarked clandestinely, as 1t were, anu the
steamer which is bearing them onward 70
Liverpool will in landing them give the hrst
information on hat side OF their. changed
position. i We doubt not, that the English
government and people viii De greatly sur
prised at the turn the affair has taken, and
more particularly at the sudden and anex-
pected appearance of the Commissioners on
the British shore.
Thus ends the memorable Mason: Sfdell
affair. IF Lincoln and his Yankee subjects
can think of it with any kind of satisfaction,
they must be dead to all sense OF national
dignity aud honor-dead to all emotions OF
shame, and dead to all regard for the worlds
contempt. But there is no room for an y IN
the case. The Washington Government has
proven itself to be just the kind of concern
to think with satisfaction upon such a dis
graceful transaction as this has been to it.
i 1t cares not for the worlds scorn if7it can
escape the wrath of the Lion it has so inso-
lently, provoked. Henceforward it will be
historically embalmed in infamy.
But will this dastardly act Of the Rump
save them from the British clutches ? Will
it restore the friendly relations with that
Power which has been on the very verge of
a rupture ? Our opinion is, nowit that they
have shown themselves in their true celors
now that they have notified all Europe
that they can be kicked and cuffed withper-
feet impunity--that there is not the slightest
danger Of their attempting to resent any in
suit, where there is a spirit and power to
strike heavy blows upon them-ouro opinion
is, we say, that England will cease to respect
! them, and also cease to tolerate their COW.
| ardly Blockade of our coast, by which she
: is so heavy a sufferer A, Government and
!. people that have no respect for themselves
; or regard for the interests and rights of
others has no, claim TO the forbearance Of the
latter. Now is a good time for England to
r have settlement with the Yankees-more
f particularly as the condition of her commerce
e calls loudly for her to do something to re-
lieve it of the severe distress into which the
e Yankees have plunged it by their wicked
: and insane attempt to subjugate the South.
e. We can hardly suppose that she viii allow
the favorable, the inviting opportunity to
r pass unimproved. The blockade has been
declared by her time and again inefecttce.
t Lincoln himself has declared it to be SO by
resorting to the unheard-of expediente OF
= sinking vessels loaded with stone to block
g up the channels of Southern ports. If the
d blockade had been effective, he never would
K have done this vandal deed, for there would
have been no occasion for it. Obstructine
e harbors in this way is an offence against the
: whole commercial world, which is as much
IS interested in the navigation Of our coast as
al the. Yankees are. 1t isIa spitefh, maleyo
ID lent war against Nature misunderstanding,
y it is as unnatural as it is an ~niquitoas and
III dastardly proceeding.
That this will be the Judgment of Europe
t. upon the sStone feet devilistn, is sufficiently
evidently the tone of a leading Englishiour
x nal. of a late date, upon the subject Whose
:. Il article was published 10 our columns a. few
i days rsince,-Pet. Express. r. ,tg.T Ia