The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-09-18

The Herald nnd Its Foreign R0llcys
The readers of this journal will recoilec4
with what an exact prescence Of events we in
the spring and summer of 1861 denounced the
treacherous and unprincipled course upou
which England and France, but more particu-
lasly England, were then preparing to enter
in our regard. They will also remember the
charge brought against us by the English
journals Of our putting forth these warnings
solely with the view of stirring up the elements
Of strife. Nor will it be forgotten that some
of our own journals, either blind to the signs
Of the times or interested in remaining %,
joined in this hue and cry against US. By ono
of them, indeed. the defence Of France was
gest very general suspicion that 1t was the
paid organ of the Emperor. whose movements
in regard to Mexico it defended to the very
last
What a misfortune 1t has been for the coun-
try that our warnings passed UNDECIDED. A
timely show Of flrmness would have saved u
from the dangerous complications to which We
are now exposed, and spared lie the losses inHict.
ed on our commerce by Anglo-rebel privateefs.
Had we boldly come to an issue with England
on the Trent question, aad refused to recede
from the position that we had assumed, tho pro-
liabilities are that she would have been still
our very good friend. and that the South would
have derived but little assistance from her. Nor
would France, with the example that she would
have had before her Of our readiness to face any
odds in defence Of our just rights and dignity,
have ventured on the mean and underhan4
policy she has since pursued towards US. So
true it is that weakness invites aggression, and
that bold front will often supply the place Of
actual strength.
We have never been able to understand tho
reasoning which influenced the majority Of our
contemporaries to counsel and the government
to decide upon the surrender Of the rebel COM
missioners. 1t was step that could be justi-
fed neither by legal necessity nor policy and
it was Of most unfortunate influence; for it
tended to create the impression that we did not
feel sure Of our ability to suppress the rebel.
lion, and consequently to resist foreign en-
croachments. The result, as we predicted az
infinitely worse for us than declared hostility
on the part Of the two governments which are
Sc ekiBg our destruction. Had war followed Q
refusal to deliver up the rebel commissioners,
it could not have damaged us more than have
the countenance and underhand assistance
which England and France have given the
South. We have been, in fact, paying all the
out enjoying any Of its advantages; for our
nominal relations Of amity with her have pre-
vented us from retalating on her commerce
the injuries she has inflicted on ours.
But we repeat there would have been
no question of war with her If our
government had remained firm on the issue
raised by the Trent affair. 1t is the cha
racteristic Of John Bull to bully only when he
thinks he can do so safely. A determined atti-
tude upon that occasion would have saved us .
world of trouble. History will do us individu-
ally the justice Of attesting that 1t was through
no lack Of earnest remonstrance upon our part
that the country was not spared an act Of hui
initiation which has served to aggravate instead
of lessen our difficulties
After more than two years experience Of the
policy OF endurance, what is now the sentiment
OF the country in regard to the two Powers that
have taken such shameful advantage Of us.
From the highest to the lowest, from Senator
Sumner down to the veriest copperhead all
have come round to the opinion OF tho
HERALD. And the strength of this feel
ing on the part OF our people and
government il evidenced by the Bit
ter resentment expressed against them by
all classes, and in the formidable naval and
defensive preparations which are being pushed
forward TO meet contingency no longer
deemed remote. In six weeks from this our
harbors will be in a condition to resist the
largest vessels-of-war that England and France
can send to operate against them, and we shalt
have ready for service by the same time feet
of monster iron-clads with which nothing that
has yet been built can cope Then comes
term to the policy OF endurance which has tried
the temper Of the nation so severely aud which
has entailed sacrifices that might have been
avoided By hrmer and holder course.
THE TINES AND THE Nyws-That uirperhead