The New York herald., 1862-11-07


destroy the property of friends and enemies;
and, as they become moro practised and grow
more desperate in their foul trade, tho COM
merce OF all nations will bs everywhere i'm
Perilled, and the ocean will swarm with reck-
less adventurers determined only ON tho plum
der and devastation of the argosies OF the
world.
The action of our Chamber OF Commerce Is
very c0mmendable. They have held three
meetings, and spoken very plainly on this sub
ject, aud we are glad to know that they yester-
day resolved 10 deal with the Alabama in a
more practical manner than by mere words.
But these meetings Of the Chamber should bs fol.
lowed hy large public meetings of tho people
throughout all the States TO give a decided ex-
preston of opinion on the unpriacipied con
duct Of the British government. In the Cham
Der of Commerce the matter is only confined to
merchants aid shipowners. We must make Il
general by awakening the national Indignation
of the whole people.
Tkere is ono thing, however. that is very
surs. The rebellion is now rapidly drawing 90
close, and before many months we shall once
more have united and powerful country
All our iateraal divisions being act aside, We
shall be able 10 call upon our enemies for set
Element of their accounts. The case Of England
must be frat attended TO. France, which is
always watching for an opportunity to pounce
upon and demolish her ancient enemy will be
but too glad 10 take a hand with as IN tho game
Of tanning this savage and relentless old lion,
aad the Third Napoleon may be able to accom-
plish ali that tho 6rst desired, but could not
achieve With the.united iron nayies of France
aud America, tho whole empire OF Great Bri-
tain would ie at our mercy, aud could DO bat.
tered 10 pieces with scarcely chance Of de.
fence. England knows and fears this, and,
therefore, is doing everything in her power to
destroy our prosperity. But we will be even
with her yet; and If the present Emperor OF the
French be a. sstute as he is admitted to be, bo
will not lose so excellent an opportunity to
pefpetuste, solidiy and secure his own dynasty,
and to wipe out the memories of those ancient
outrages which England has so freely heapcd
upon the gallant people OF France.
Commander PrebIe s.Ad Secretary
Weiies.
Our readers will remember that about two
months ago the Anglo rebel steamer Oreto ran
into the 5lockaded port of Mobile. Commander
George Henry Preble, In charge OF the
blockading squadron off Mobile, immed' late
ly reported this fact 10 Commodore Far
ragut who enclosed the report, with COM
ments. to the Secretary of the Navy. With
out the least delay or inqniy Secretary
Welles issued an order dismissing Com
msnder Proble from the United States service
This summary condemnation was applauded
by an unreAeoting portion Of the press as an
evidence of unexpected decision ON the part
of the Secretary Of the Navy. 10 US. however,
that sort Of decision which results only in inius
tice seems anything bat praiseworthy, and we
insisted then, az we insist now, that Commander
Preble should have been reprimanded and re
turned to duty, or that court OF lnquiry
should have been granted him and his defence
heard before sentence was pronounced.
In our issue OF this morning will be found
Commander Preble's official report of the
Oreto's escape, with a chart showing her posi-
ton and that OF the blOckading vessels, and the
appeals which he now makes both TO the Score.
not design to defend Commander Prebles con-
duct In allowing the Oreto TO run the blockade.
All that is to be said upon that point he says
for himself, and says II we'll. Hundreds of
ships had e,uded the vigilance Of blockaders,
aud the Secretary OF the Navy had never
thought of furnishing the officers In command
of our vessels: aud was Preble tho proper Off
10 In do la Erct vic cr sh1k nf
decision which consists in striking out hap-ha.
zard and then relapsng into official somne-
lencyt Consider, also, the contrast between
the case Of Commander Preblc and that Of
Secretary Welles. Preble allowed one Anglo
rebel vessel TO surprise him and run into
Mobile, and was most severely punished.
Secretary Wclles allows the rebels to
scourge the whole Atlantic with a privateer
and devastste our commerce., and is yet
retained In Office, and not even reptimanded.
The Oreto came upon Preble unexpectedly
aud at night The Alabama was built and set
sail with Secretary Welles' full cosnizance, and
he has been reliably informed Of her every
movement since that time by the detailed re-
ports published in our columns. Commander
Preble did everything in his power 10 stop aud
capture tho Oreto after her real character was
discovered? Secretary Welles knew for what
the Alabama WAS intended, but did no.
thing to prevent her completion, nothing to
keep her from putting out to sea, and
has done nothing towards her capture. Preble
had command Of only slow .gunboat and
slower sloop, while the Orsto Is a remarkably
fast sailer. Secretary welles has control Of the
whole navy Of the country. containing vessels
which could easily overhaul and sail around
the Alabama; and yet he allows the Vanderbilt
to lie otf the Battery as rarse show, instead Of
sending her after the pirate, and either en-