Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-02-18
Mason and slidelI in England.
THE LONDON TIMES TURNS THE COLD sHouLDEE
TO THEM.

The LuNDuN IlhlHS AuRNS lAE NVAh
TO THEM.
The London Times of the Both contains long
editorial on the return of Mason and 5hdell,
which, after stating that the condition OF AFFAIRS
is lust now as two months ago-that both
sides have given brilliant proofs of what they
cannot accomplish that the commission
era can do as much now as if they had never
met the San Jdcmto-concludes as follows;
"We think, therefore, that the arrival OF
Messrs. Mason and Slidell is matter of but
little importance. The action of the two Gov
ernments is not likely to be influenced in the
smallest degree by the representations Of those
two gentlemen They will be objects OF little
curiosity and nothing more. They will, proba-
bly,, with the good sense that has distinguished
their section of the American people since the
war began, keep themselves perfectly quiet in
London and Paris, and wait the events that are
at hand. Inactivity is indeed, their most mas
tery policy. Better would it be for the Con-
federate cause that they were behind the gratings
of Boston prison than that they should mix
themselves up in tho discussions which will be
shortly arising in the Legislatures Of France and
England.
:. In this country we like to go our own way
and do things in our own manner That there
is large party in the House Of Commons which
will endeayor to urge on the Government policy
Of interference in the American struggle cannot
be doubted. The reticenoe of last year, and that
respect for the feelings of the North which has
been so il-repaid by Mr.. Lncoln's Cabinet, will
hardly be found in the coming session. The cry
of misery and anger from hungry operatives, or
mill-owners, scared by the prospect of insolvency
will he loud and painful. There may be temp
tatiOn to Confederate representative at such
time The self.restraint that has been such
contrast to the mingled querulousness and boast
ing of the North may possibly be abandoned in
favor of q more active policy but to yield to
such temptation would be the greatest mistake
that the ConiedeTates could make. Mr.. Mason
is an old politician and he will understand that,
in the position he now fills. he cannot serve his
country better than by insction and silence.
"Indeed, there is so little in the power Of these
gentlemen that we are disposed to look upon
them rather in their capacity as the victims Of
Captain Wilkes, than as the envoys OF President
Davis. Forgetting their diplomatic position,
and viewing them simply as the subjects of an
interesting narrative in the worlds history, VIC
are glad to announce the termination Of their
sufferings and wanderings The Odyssey of MIR.
AInBon has come to au end by his arrival at q
London hotel. In few short months he has
seen more of the dangers of the seas than many
sailors in the course of long life. First there
was the breaking of tho blockade. The Nash-
. ville's maiden exploit was to carry the commits
soners to sea through the opposing squadrons Of
, the Federals This, perhaps, was not very
. | -
the aid of science by sinking hulks full of granite
'checkerwise' on the bar. But still the Nashville
might have been chased if there had been any
thing to chase her, and the James Adger was
, actually despatched to British waters to inter-
( cept her on her way to Southampton.
"After they had escaped this danger, and were
i congratulating themselves on safe run to Ha-
i vana, and a comfortable embarkaton in British
, packet there came the seizure which has made
! so much noise in the world, and the captivity
which the sufferings of our countryman, Mr.
I Shaver, as detailed in our Canadian letter o.
yesterday, enable us to appreciate. The danger
Gus passage in the RinaldO, and the roundabout
: voyage from Boston to Southampton by way o
. Bermuda and ST. Thomas make up series o
d trials such as seldom falls to the lot of diplomats
0 gentlemen, even in times of national trouble
t The Confederate envoys ought certainly to re
ceive our congratulations on their safe arrival
Y but, now that their troubles are over, we hav
e little sympathy for them.