The New York herald., 1862-01-03

inere scope enough given by the LAWS tof ruthless
great and ought not 10 be permitted by the guar
dams OF the civilization Of mankind.
Mr. Llncoin's Message-Englani Does
Not Want War II ReParatfoa Is
Made for tho front Affair.
From tho London Post government 0rgan) Dec. Ill
inc Americans are strange people Their institutions,
thor manners and their habits Of thought all alike
peculiar They carry in q manner very different
from their neghbors and the means by which they seek
to preserve peace are equally eccentric Our readers
aware that the outrage committed board the Trent has
the Department Of the Navy at aud that The
oncers engaged on that memorable occasion are the
heroes OF the hour throughout the Northern sta.es
ne mass Of e people, ba BY their representatives and BY an
.sPorsaM apartment V the goue,nmem naturally con-
ctd<d On tbs side Of ne Aaaatc thai cree'y
prooohe cuenf. We knew full well that should not
aDate one ot OF our just demands and tho painful concl
sion wss forced upon BY the language and demeaaor Of
the federal States that these would not be acceded TO-
we were, therefore, and still are steadily preparng,
though more In sorrow than in anger, for conflict in
which nothing but an imperative sense OF duty could
But II 10 give credit to the intelligence brought
by the last steamer we have been mistaken all this
time II appears that President Lincoln has declared
"that 1t was his intention 10 preserve prudent policy in
regard to foreign roatons that there need be
Of war with Great Britain unless the latter should seek
preext for hostlitcs." II is further stated that
anxiety felt on this subject by 'he administration" "
Now, these statements true, arrive at one
Of two conclusions We mast either assume that President
Lincoln means to make the necessary repdyQ.ioa for the o
rage committed board he Trent that he is satisfied a,
soiu seek none. II could suppose that he speaks
from the first OF these motives should SINGER ely
Joice at the certain prospect OF peace But confess
that our msgivings upon this point very strong
Even though President Lincoln may be willing and
ious to do us act Of simple JUSTICE have dus doubts
Of his ability to do II abundany clear that serious
differences Of opinion exist among the chief members of
the the federal government II IT, is no less manifest from
to restore the "rebei envoys" captured in the Trent
would raise storm OF unpopularity against the Cabinet
at Washington which might be attended with tho most
disastrous results Is President Lincoln able to
these difficulties and prepared to encounter these risks
Is he possessed of political ability and Of moral courage
sufficient for tho purpose? Has hc in the Of his
official career given decided proofs eithor of the
or the other OF these quaes' No who has watched
with an impartial eye the course OF events in America
during the past twevemonth these questions
in the Affirmative On the contrary it is pretty evident
that President Lincoln is but senderly endowed with
those qualities and accomplishments which necessary
to form great statesmen He is deficient alike in natural
powers and IN education II is of the dcusions OF this
utlitarian age that SUCCESS in private business fits
for the conduct OF public affairs. President Lincoln had
been energetic and successful in the various call
ugs in which he had successiveiy engaged but accident
has now carried him beyond his proper sphere We doubt
his power, even il he has the will. to us justice.
We are inclined to think however that President Lin
coin takes quite another view OF the matter II is sud-
ciently notorious that the forbeaYance which England
has for years past exhibited towards America has
attributed by the politicians Of the latter country to fear
We need not use any eircumlocution in the matter.
tcct0n, strong measure; III, dissdi Of
ambassador during the Rtssstan and he seisure
Of San Juan. Yt none Of these affairs led 10 scoy; a,d
his affair Of the Trent ,cH bo,c lake nih0a
any such terrible result, Such, we nave every to
fear, were tho views entertained by the fede-
raj government when the last mail left Wash
ington. 1t is to these that inclined to
attribute the confidence expressed in the con-
tnuance of peace with foreign Powers. Wo
may be mistaken this point and we sin
cerey trust Every party, and we believe eve
ry individual in this country anxious for peace with
America Noiia0 but a sense Of absolute necessity s9H
dce have But the cabinet at Wash
ington knows by this time that resolved, 1T all
hazards msnt ain the national honor and that, if
pie reparaton is refused prepared TO uphold
just rights by force OF The indeed that the
nature OF the outrage committed board the Trent
considered the unwarranable appears Neither
history law furnish any precedent for exraordi.
nary violation OF neutral rights. Even during the hot
test period Of the great French cn n rights Of
neutral nations less regarded than any other Pc
rod Of modern history no parallel be found 70 the
OF the Trent. And the eTsycs, Of ti0sc po7'
stu remarkable on The cert Of nation tohich has
heretofore cont add that The rights u bet9r'n ogh.
tn bed au.iui sh,dJ nd 3lOt