Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-12-24
A Foreign War.


toward the great powers of Europe, was
Of concilatory character. In
fact, our diplomacy in several instances
has been marked with so much forbear-
ance and good nature as to have been de-
noupced by those most sensitive on the
polut oil national honor, as havepg been
submissive and devoid of spirit. The re-
pudation of the Monroe Doctrine in
tamely acquie cling IN the overthrow of a
neghboring Republic, The apologetic course
pursued in tile matter Of the capture of
the Trent, an the cautious treatment of
all rutjects calculated to complicate our
foreign relations, have deh onstrated an
intention on the part of the Administration
to permit no quarrel with transatlantic
polentates to impede the contemplated
march OF Soulhern subjugalion
Suddenly, as if by the touch of a mag
lean wand, the Administrative temper
has undergone change, and il is sigDif.
icant that it dates from the period of Mr.
Lincoln reelection. The atmosphere Of
the White House and of the halls o. Con-
gress is now pregnent with tho breath of
vlndlctveness aud hostility toward Great
Britain. The people rave caught the in
fiction, and millions of stern, impatient
glances are concentrated upon the little
cloud hat overhangs the Canada frontier
and throws a shadow between the Repub.
lie and the naughty Empire whose pride
ha, already been twice humblcd by the
armies and navies OF our country.
The popular sestlme ut Of defiance to
ward Great Britain is readily explained,
The American people are excitable, impet
uous aud into Grant of insult or injury and
are rarely apt to consider the consequences
oil action uuder provocat,on. Bat 1t is not
so easy TO explain the 'abrnpt transition of
the Administration from extreme reserve
and overstrained discretion to its present
spirit of mpativeDess. The Admipislra.
ton Is not particularly characterized by
patriotic ferSor or intensity Of national
feeling. 1t is too cold and carfty, aud
too much wrapt in the intent of its fanatl.
cism 10 yield spontaneously to those emo.
tons that control the more impassioned
public sentiment. There must be a mo-
tive pol'tieal design, diplomatic pur
pose, that has prompted The cautious in
trguers at Washington to such violent
exhlb tion oi a'tagoni,m toward foreign
Power. Those who are most sancuine of
the ultima subjugatlou of the South will
not pretend that that purpose is 50 near
its co0summation that another field is re-
quired for Ihr exercise 70 our warke in
y stnchs. 1t would be more reasonable to
believe that the Administration has realiz.
ed that The. conquest Of the South is an i'm. =.
possibility and Is about to kindle a counter
war fame, that, under the cover of its
smoke,a compromise may be offered, With
out too conspicuous retrogressiou f. on
the demand of unconditional surrender
or the purpose oil. determination. In the
heat OF new excitement, of such an in
tense nature as would be occasioned by
collision with our ancient enemy, and in
the glow of enthusiasm with which our
people would prepare to measure their
strength with the most powerful of the
, empires OF Eutop' there would be little
i"c lhaiio t. criucIse any change of poll.
cy toward the South, especially if the
change promised to unite tie section.
against the common foe.
Welcome war with Great Britain
welcome war whit all the Transatlantic
world, IT in that conflict We can find a
Lethe for our domes c animosities. Th,
hrrtroar OF American artillery agalns
'he flag of st. George would be only les.
grateful than the voice of the Angel O
Peace, II it would awaken the memories @
the old tunes oi American glory, whe,
u North and South lot front 10 front nm
sh"nldeI TO shoulder, swrpt and embattle,
plain of foreign adver.aries. There is n,
such canceler of hatred as cpmpahonsTil
upon the field of battle On. charge
:. against the ranks of England by the com
, timed heroes of the North and Sout!
), would be wroth in behalf of future section
al concord more than all the eloquence O
:. orators, the intrigues of dipIomac or III,
!. arts OF statesmanship. TO contend again,
r., the South and against Great Britain woul
y. be tack hey ond the utmost resources G
= the Federal Government. The first re
suit would be the recognition of the on
g federacy by Great Britain, the raising q
the blockade Of Southern ports, and tn
blockade of'the harbors of the North
The Emperor OF France would not besitat