Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-12-31

bu in one imro tant respect will be poFve adVan-
age il win tend, by creating demand for money!
bring down prices and thereby produce the effect re-
quired 1t is really necessary to create some real dis
trees for want Of money tie distress heretofore has
been for everything eIcep money. O. course taxation
should not be ruinous But apprehension ofits being
merely onerous should hinder The needed legklaton.
In adopting tax law 90 discrimination should be
made against the currency obligations of the Govern
ment Such an set Of reputation would not only de-
stroy all credit abroad bp would destroy it where it is
most nseded-at home, and would utterly alenate the
principle Of taxation should be sd palorem embracing
of course the Obligations at their true
affections Of everJ loyal man Injured BY the!aw.
The English Decision in the Alexandra Case.
The last European ,Ws, which up 70 the Oshinst,
gives no information of the result of the investigation
in the case of the Confederate States Steamer Alexan-
dra, which was fixed fer the 7h inst This case had
been previously decided against the English Government
aud now Genes up again for second hearing before
the same tribunal which is to be compo-ed of three
other Judges hesdethe Lord Chief Baron who render
ed the decision on the Hrst hearing.
The issue OF this clse involves the fate of the rams
now detained by order Of tie English Government
The Alexandra was detaiued just the are now,
on suspicion of being intended for the Confederate
States service, and the being Analogous the de-
cislon ia the Aexard a affair will be held to apply to
the rama
Not the least Important result Ct this decision will
BE- the influence which it must exercise the future
palcy of the English Government with reference 10
If tie decision is adverse 10 the Government right
in the matter of constructing vessels and taking them
unarmod from English portp will be fully established.
Such an issue will moreover be in direct antagonsn to
the proclaimed policy Of Earl Russell whose resigna-
ton, on the score OF consistency and honor will be-
come moral necessity. Such result would DO
source OF congratulaton every southerner, for that
bigo constitutes The Chief il not the only obstacle to
English inerposition, in cooperation with France, in
behalf of peace bet Feen the North and ourselves 1t
may be that Russell in pursuance of the purpose which
he avowed in his speech at Baigo Trie Scotland, would
apply to Parliament for additional legislation TO cover
tue case of the rams and thus intercept the application
to them OF decision favorable TO the Comic derle
cause Il he does he will place himself in the unequ
vocal attitude Of an avoWed partisan of the Northern
cause besides mourning the odum of seeking unconst
tuonal powers in the form of retrospective legislation.
TIE English people peculiarly jealous OF the integ
ry Of constitutional principles audit he ventuEesupon
such policy, he will, doub. not encounter such
storm Of public indignation, as Will necessitate his
withdrawal from the Cabinet. 1t ia hardly possible hat
he can be sustained by his colleagues in such course,
for they must that that issue would inevitably in
volve the defeat of the PAlmerstonian Cabinet.
Rlssell is peculiarly OF the Garrison and Wendell
nj; In hia fOr
the overthrow of slavery be would sacrifice party ITSELF
nay the best interests OF his country. He has all the
ant-slavery prejudice, of Lord Brougham but is much
more lanaticl and bgoted. Brougham is less out
spoken and more nsdious, because a wiser and ADLER
statesman he holds to Russell very much the same
relation tba. Seward does to Wendell Phillips. The fact
is that Russell having attained TO the zenith of his
biion by his elevation to the peerage, ia becoming in
different to the retention of official position, and he Is
nov in his old age q victim OF anti slavery prsudices
which he is ready to crafty at any sacrifice of position
or power. 9.
FanGticsm Yields to an adverse popular pres
sure. II is an Inherent quality of ones nature, com
pounded with religion, belief, which external infu
ence no force of logic, Ior motives of national per-
sonal interest can neutrslze Russell would willingly
est, and, and we doubt every CO, alteration of per-
sOnal oggrandizemeat. rather ttau,yield single
congestion involving any benefit the Southern
While be occupies his present position, may lookf for
uniform and bi ter opposition from him to every scheme
calculated to advance the Of the South however
just it may be.
1t ia WELL however, that English sentiment is not apt
to be wayed by the dosyncrasies ofany iaraca bgSt
ia power as Northern sentiment lie. The adverse pop
ulsr feeling of the English people TO the policy of the
government seems 10 increase in an EQUAL ratio with
tue hostility Of that government to u.s. aud the densu-
n,snt will inevitably be the resignation Of the peset
Cabinet without the hcpa of reascendaLcy through tie
medium Of popular election At early stage Of the
war; when Roebuck threatened 10 press his motion in
favor of recognition Palmerson threatened should the
motion succeed to appeal &c The English people for
expression of opinion with reference to policy. Lord
Derby was deferred by this threat from making Issue
upon the question of recognition, seeing that such
appeal would result in the endorsement of Palmessons
neutrl policy. The public opinion of England has
since, however, undergone complete revolution, and
we taxa it, tha defea! of the present Moisiry will
involve its final resignation, and the immediate
son to pc Of the Tory party without the test of
popular election upon the issue OfinteVentiOn or
nitiou TIE wi hdrawal of Russell would probably OBJ
viate the necessity of resignation Of the whole Cab
net, but the alternate policy Of recognition would have
to be adopted to savs them flOn defeat. 1t will be
fair TO infer that should Russell withdraw will be be-
cause he was at issue with colleagues the question
of recognition and the opposite policy it will DO pre-
sumed, viii be that which will govern the remaining
members ofthe Cabinet.
The silence of the Northern papers the Alexandra
case is unaccountable The hearing was fixed for the
7,h Instant AID though European dates to the 10th
have been received not in;imation is thrown out
with reference to it. Unlike courts, decisions there
a.. .n,r hnt in tha casa the rea1lf NAV he Inn nor