The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-14
Russell ON the Surrender OF Sliden and
Mason, and the Union Army.

From the letter of Mr.. Russell to the
London Times, dated at Washington, Dec
q, we take the following paragra phs f:
EFFECT OF THE SURRENDER F MASON AND
SLIDELL.
The effect in this country, when it is
known, will be exceedingly great, for such
dish OF humble pie cannot be taken into
stomachs which have been disOrdered by
cock tail taking without a great deal OF
nausea. Do not imagine that the real in
telligence aud worth OF the people will dis
approve the act. The men | allude to are
writers in the sensation" press and the
bunkum orators, as we'll as the more violen.
a olitlonists, who by insulting menaces
and Incorporate pledges, have pound them
selves to Oppose the concession, no matter
how just it might prove to be.
AMERICAN HOSTILITY TO ENGLAND.
The Union can get more than halt mills
lion Of men to fight for her, at a considera
ble expense, il is true, but moved in the
main, let as admit, by love for the Union;
but she could, am assured, raise million
to fight against England. That is, the hate
of Great Britain is at least twide as strong
as the love of the Union among many mil~
lions OF Americans. They will be disap
pointed this time. Ii Mason and Slidell
are surrendered without any extravagant
threats in the press, or without any indig
nation meetings, we may hope that friendly
relations will be preserved for years to come
as it will be q token that in crisis the
sound sense, patriotism and desire to do
what is demanded by justice and right pre-
dominate in the United States over the vi
olence of popular passion. Let us stand by
and see if it will be so, and let us be thank
full meantime that we are spared the war
which would have been forced on US in vim.
dication of our honor had the Government
here been deaf to the voice of reason.
THE POPULACE AND THE ARMY.
The respectable public will find itself
quite mistaken if it supposes itself master
of the situation. 1t is in for the war for
the Union, and it must abide the consequent
ces and submit to all the agencies it has
evoked. Perhaps it rubbed its eyes little
goons with drawn swords at all the angles
of the streets to keep order in Washington,
where the sight of soldier year ago was
a strange phenomenon. The dragons are
there still, and l was reprimanded by one
of them yesterday for cantering down the
street. They are nominally to keep order,
and perhaps they may be withdrawn when
the holidays are over; but it is certainly such
a spectacle as never beheld elsewhere in
America. The people take to it quite nat
urally. Then there are heavy patrols
through the streets, just in the old Austrian
fashion in Milan not long ago.
SUPERIORITY OF THE UNION ARMY.
The action at Drainesvile has given this
army more confidence, and has been admit
ted by the Confederates to be serious dis
aster for their men. The superior arms o
the Federalists must in the long run tstab-
lish moral as well as physical advantage
over their opponents. A fowling~piece is
but q poor match for an Enfield rifle
While the South is cut of from Europe,
unless by the chance passage of a vessel
through the blockade, the North is imports
ing arms by tens of thousands, and the
Hamburg steamers each week are freighted
with munitions of war for the Federal
troops. All that ought to give victory
in numbers, wealth, and resources on
their side, and still their progress Is not
sure, and is very slow. But of its ultimate
rapidity and success I have no doubt, and
never had any, with the important proviso
that the people pay taxes and give money
to the Government to carry on the war.