The New York herald., 1862-02-16

ing around the rebels, and, with their superior
numbers, superior arms, more abundant am
nunition, greater plenty Of provisions, better
generals, and more skilfu artillerists and ens-
neers, the result cannot be long doubtful, and
The best thing the insurgents can do is to lay
down their arms at once. In no other way
could they so annoy the abolitionists, whose
| sole object is the destruction Of the institutions
| of the South, and not iis restoration to the
Union.
The Rebel Commissioners in England
| Proposed Sale OF tho South, Slavery
and All.
| Among the most intercs ting items of news
from Europe by the Asia is the report of the hde-
| penddnce Beige "that the Southern Commission
ers have informed tho English government
that, in return for the recognition of the South
ern confederacy, they would establish most alb
solute free trade for fifty years, abolish the ex-
ternal slave traffic and emancipate all the
blacks born after the recognition"
We are strongly inclined to believe that Ma
son and Slidell were charged with that exten-
sve dscr elton which would cover these pro-
positions, and that JEFF. Davis and his confede
rates have placed all their hopes upon British
Intervention. AL their other calculations fail
ing, the conspirators who contrived this rebel
lion believed that Southern cotton and free
trade would infallibly bring England to their
rescue. The influence of these temptations
upon the British government-which had been
presented in every shape and form by indus
trious Southern emissaries-was betrayed in
the indecent haste with which Lords Palmers-
ton and Russell seized upon the Trent
affair as cause for war. But that cloud
having blown over, and King Cotton and free
trade having failed to silence the abolition OBJ
jections of the English people to war with the
United States in support of pro-slavery con-
fedcracy, we can readily believe that Davis and
Company, as last resort to save themselves
from the penalties of unsuccessful treason are
prepared to sell our revolted States, slavery
and all, for English in tervention.
There is something conceded to the anti
slavery sentiment of England in the proposition
to totally abjure the African slave trade; but
the offer to make free in Secessia every child
born therein, the offspring of y slave mother,
after the date of the recognition by England of
our socalled Confederate States" as an inde-
pendent Power, is positively sublime. 1t is a
sweeping proposition Of emancipation, but
upon plan so gradual that the present South
ern generation would not feel it; and what care
Davis and his ruling Confederates for the next
generation, SO that during the present Davis
and Company are secured in the spoils and
plunder, the government, the honors and emolu-
ments of Southern confederacy, instead of
suffering the pains and penalties of defeated
traitors.
From time to time, since August last, we
have had, from the Charleston Mercury and
| other Southern oracles at home and abroad,
| some glimmerings of submission to a Euro
pean master, or Of some vital concessions in the
matter of Southern slavery to England, in order
| to escape from the strong grasp of the sold
| Union" We are not, therefore, surprised to
hear Of these extraordinary rebel offerings of
Southern trade, Southern cotton, Southern sla-
very and Southern independence to England as
the last chance for the disruption of the Union.
| But these propositions come too late. England
| hesitates; and while she is hesitatng Lord Pal
merston will get such news of the doings of our
| fleets and armies as will convince him that JEFF.
Davis has been playing the part of an arrant
| impostor. This rebellion is falling to pieces.
The ''old Union will be restored, and Southern
slavery will be left to take its chances under
ton guarantees Of the constitution of the United
| States. The people of the South are returning
| to their sober senses, and this news from the
Independence Beige will be very apt to strike
the last nail in the political coffin of JEFF Davis
4 GENERAL JAIL DEIivERY.-The order OF
Secretary Stanton for the liberation of State
| prisoners. which we publish this morning
is very ably written and magnanimous docu
ment, rejecting great credit upon the Chic
Magistrate and his excellent Cabinet, as well as
the Secretary of War, and contrasting remarka
bly, with the recent proclamation of the latter
relating to the imprisonment of Mr.. Ives, which
was the only mistake the present head OF the
War Department has made. 1t was document
in which a good deal Of capital thunder was
expended to very little purpose. II was mucl
ado about nothing, and the game was certainly
not worth the powder
The Liberation of the State prisoners is a time
ly measure, which, besides restoring hundreds
to the protection Of their own flag, will have 9
good moral effect both at home and abroad. L
will show to foreign nations that we are pow
erful enough to afford to act thus generously
towards the rebels, and by the people Of thu
North il will be rightly interpreted as deno:ins
the confidence ofthe government in being abou
to strike the death blow of this rebellion. A
few days ago the rebels had two or three hun
dred more prisoners than we had; but since th,