The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-12-25
rna che.apeako Plrate..

The City of Halifax has struck q Wig.
orous blow in vindication of monarchi-
cal institutions. 1t has proved the in
finite superiority of English authority
over the Democratic Government of the
United States, in the maintenance of law
and order. A gang of mutineers, who
had gone on board an American steamer
as passengers, rise upon the officers and
crew, kill some ana overpOwer the rest,
and take possession of the vessel. The
ship is recaptured in British waters and
the offenders handed over to the British
authorities, for such disposition as JUS
tioe may require. And q mob in the
streets Of Halifax roscues them from the
officers Of the law and sets them at hber-
w. So far as we can see thus far, the
authorities were utterly powerless, and
did not even attempt TO maintain them
selves against the mob. If an affair of
this sort had taken place in the United
States, We should have had no end of
British diatribes against 3 Government
which at any moment a mob could thus
overthrow.
The motive Of this demonstration on
the part of the Halifax mob, was hos
tility against the United States. These
mutineers were rebels, and were trying
in their way TO serve and aid the "Con-
federacy." That was quite enough for
the neutral Blue Noses. No matter what
crime these men had committed, their
being rebels entitled them to sympsthy
and protection. It's, of course, impOssi
bic for any Government TO recognize
them as prisoners of war, or 40 entitled
TO any of the privileges of belligerents
They embarked on the Chesapeake within
our lines, and without any recognized
public character. If they were serving
the Confederacy at all, they were serving
il as spies, if they had been taken
within our jurisdiction, they would have
been treated as spies, They were taken
in British waters, and of course, they
were in custody of the British authori-
ties.
Practically we see nothing 10 regret 10
their rescue and escape. We are not suf-
6cienily interested in British institu-
tons to care one straw for the disgrace
inflicted on them by so fragrant and |
shameful violation If law and order. |
That is = matter which those concerned |
may settle for themselves. II th5ss men
had remained in custody our Govern !
ment would have demanded their surren- |
der; and then we should have bad an
other diplomatic complication, breeding |
mere or less ill-Will, and adding TO the
public hatred which already menacss the /
public peace. If their surrender bad |
been refused, we should have had fresh 4
grounds Of quarrel with England, If il
had been granted, We should have had in
our hands half dozen more rebel Iuf-
fans to embArrass still more seriously
The exchange Of prisoners, and prolong
the terrible suaerings and privasions
which thousands Of our brave soldiers
sre now enduring in tho rebel States.
It would be very gratifying, doubtless,
to hang these pirates; it would meet AZ
once eur sense Of justice and feed our
natural desire for public vengeance. Bot
the pleasure would be tSo dearly pur-
chased; and Tor our own part, we feel
very well satisfied with their escape, and
quite inclined 10 hope that the excessive
and miraculous vigilance which the
British authorities will doubtless put
forth for their recApture, will not sue
coed. These scoundrels are evidently At
home, snd we hope they win stay there.
~ y. 7iases.