The New York herald., 1862-01-23

sequences.
The English press, which, In its expressions
of bitter hostility towards this country, pro-
fesses to represent the British government, does
not appear to be satisfied with the prospective
surrender of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, but has
begun to discuss the propriety of breaking the
blockade of the Southern coast, within the
course of the next few months. The language
of the most influential of the London journals
and the known animus of q majority of tho
Queens ministers, render it evident that it is
the duty Of the United States government to be
prepared for such contingency. Should il
appear to the superficial observer that material
and commercial issues are more involved in this
projected interference with the measures that
are being taken to repress rebellion and restore
the integrity of the Union, than secret hostility
to our institutions and envy of our national
greatness, it is none the less manifest that it
cannot be attempted without a violation of the
law of nations, and the grossest of outrages
upon the usages of the whole civilized world.
With whatever impunity Great Britain, or any
other foreign Power, may suppose that Southern
ports can be prematurely, and without the per-
mission of the federal authorities, opened to the
trade of the world, the act Of so trampling upon
our rights would kindle a confagration of war,
throughout Europe and the world, OF which the
ramifcations and extent can scarcely at present
be either exaggerated or predicted.
Although the line of Southern coast to be
guarded, extends from Cape Henlopen to the
Rio Grande, there never has been, in the history
of warfare, more effective blockade created,
than that which exists from one extreme of it to
the other Like all other blockades it can
only be more or less perfect, and its OBJ
servance, like that of criminal laws, can only
be more OF less entirely secured. Penalties
against burglary, arson and murder seek to
prevent the commission of those crimes, yet
they are occasionally, at the risk OF summary
and condign punishment, perpetrated. Yes
sells, in the same manner, may essay breaking
the blockade of rebel seaports and harbors;
but they do so at the hazard of confscation
and such isolated, illegal endeavors confirm in
stead of weakening the strength Of the general
law. They are the burglars of the ocean
ever, like England or France, were to prosti-
tute their power, by disregarding the blockade
which the United States has established, it
would, of necessity, be considered casus belli'
and would be resisted by our COVER nment with
all the force it could put forth.
1t is sincerely to be hoped that Great
Britain will pause and ponder we'll the inevita-
BILE consequences of step which may react
fatally upon itself. Has it, has France, weighed
we'll the fact, that an attempt to avail them
selves Of our embarrassments, by interrupting
the effective and just system of repression of
an unnatural rebellion which we have adopted,
would kindle flames of strife throughout Eu-
rope and Asia, and upheave the very founda-
tiens of monarchical government. during per-
haps the period of whole generation! The
people of the United States are, it is true, con-
testing for the very life, the whole future exist
ence Of their nationality; but, if compelled to
protect themselves against foreign interference,
they will be able to put forth strength of re-
sistance Of which European Powers should al
ready begin to perceive that they are fully
capable. We have seven hundred thousand
men in the field; double that number could be
put under arms if necessary; and it would be
utterly impossible, whatever temporary re-
verses we might suffer at sea, for England to
prevent the overthrow of her dominion in
Canada, and wherever else she has possession
on this continent.
But this is not all. France now so urgently
instigating Great Britain to recognise the inde-
pendence of the Southern confederacy, and to
break the blockade, would Immediately avail
herself of the occasion, to secure, in conjunc-
ton with the kingdom of Italy, the ascendancy
of the Latin race on the continent, and to over
run the monarchies of Germany and reduce
them to a subsidiary position. OF course, Aus
tria would first feel their attacks, and, while
Napoleon III. and Victor Emanuel were en-
gagged in deadly struggle with Francis Joseph
H. and his Teutonic allies, and England and
the United States were exhausting their ener-
gies in infictng injuries upon each other, there
would be nothing to prevent Russia from en-
tering upon the fulflment of the predestined
mission, marked out by Peter the Great and
Catherine III. for the Sclavonic race, and accom-
plishing the subjection of Constantinople. 1t
may be considered as beyond a question that
the result, within year, of the breaking of the
blockade of the Southern coast of the United
States by England, would be the pouring into
Turkey, Asia Minor and Egypt of immense Rus
sian armies, and the cutting off Of the cOnnec-
ton between Great Britain and her East Indian
possessions. And, as there is no imaginable
conflict of interest to cause rupture between
Russia and the United States, what would there
then be to prevent joint fleets and armies from
California and Eastern Siberia, from San Fran
cisco and the Amoor river, from liberating Hin
dostan, and taking away from England the
richest of her colonial possessions?
Let the rash and bigoted diplomatists of
England pause. Let sober second thought be
abundantly consulted, before they indulge
in further manifestations of hatred of Amcri-