Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1864-04-22

sank her at that distance from shore, and
their balls went crashing into the plantations
adjoining a popul0us village. In the case of
the Springbox, they condemned her cargo on
the ground that it was "~intcnded" for the
Confederate States when the vessel left the
English port, although che was trading be"
tween neutral ports, and the whole cargo
was confscated for o small portion Of contra
band. In a third case, o vessel was seized
for having teken alleged contraband to tho
Mexican port of Matamoras, and tho seizure
took place weeks after she had unloadcd, and
| the cargo was placed in the Mexican custom
house. The strongest case remains to be told
A British vessel, the Saxon, had completed
her loading at an island on the coast Of South
Africa, when the United States steamer Vans
derbilt sent an armed boat to her. The Off
Gial report states that the crew was ordered
to 60 below. GAS Mr.. Gray, the mate, was
going down the ladder, tho American officer,
Donovan, gave him o push. The mate wss
turning round to see who it wns, but was
making no resistance, but the American Off
cor drew his revolver and shot him dead on
the spot" We have only to add that all three
insults and outrages led the Government Of
Great Britain no further than to "Inakc com
plaint and demand reparation."
The truth is that the present administra
ton in England, more or less correctly repre-
senting public opinion, has virtually declared
that they look upon war as a terrible evil, to
DO encountered only on the ~sterncst necessity,
and that nothing short Of this will lure them
from the paths of economy and peace. Thcy
must, of course, with such policy, accept al
its consequences. And they are beginning tc
show themselves. They may be sumned up
in this, that England is thoroughly isolated in
Europe. She has virtually abdicated her Ell
ropean duties, rs understood heretofore, and
resigned the right of participation in Euro
pan questions as belts the dignity Of u great
empire. She stoops to interpose with moral
force only, and that boing, if not altogether
disrcgardcd, when not backed by physical
fDrco, certainly very inefficient, the result is
inglorious and unworthy off gr~eatnation. Noi
ore such circumspoction, such neutrality and
wonderful self.control, any moro palatablc at
homo. The people are keenly alive to the
fact, that in such o policy there is nothing
grand, brilliant or captivating. The govern
mcnt reply in vain that they havo learnt by
experience, that tho more dazzling and self
sacrificing policy bring heavy cost with it and
little gratitude after all. A great people pre-
fer not to count 80 closely, and would rather
sacrifice much money and many lives than
see the meteor flag insulted by the hated stars
and stripes. 1t is not that England is weak
ened or declining; far from it-sho is strength
ening her finances, expanding her commerce
and spreading her colonies over the globe: bu'
her star is for n time under 4 cloud, caution
and prudence prevail in her councils, and as
long as they control h"r foreign policy, H'
Confederate States can hope for no help from
her tlmll rulers. They have q botter and
safer reliance, than to trust in princes: they
look with just pride and safe confidence to the
living bulwarks that e~ncirclo her borders, and
feel in their hearts that thoy have the right
eous cause, which, with the blessing from on
high, is sure to triumph, sooner Or later.