The New York herald., 1864-10-25

to preach peace ana good will to men.
The Matds FROM the British provinces-
Vigorous Measures Resolved Upon.
1t will be seen by telesraphic despatch in
another column that there is no truth 10 the
rumor Of . difference Of opinion existing among
the heads Of departments at Washington in re-
gard to the manner in which the rebel forays
from Canada are to be dealt with. Not only
will the raiders be followed up wherever they
are to be found, but the most vigorous mea-
sures will be taken to prevent repetition OF
these acts Of rspine and murder.
We are rejoiced that tho administration has
come to this conclusion Were it to hesitate or
diplomatize about the matter it would exhibit
spectacle Of timidity that would disgrace it
in the eyes of the world. We have been made
to feel sorely the consequences OF its trucking
to the Brtish government in the affair of the
Trent. Upd Il shown firm bearing on that
occasion We would have been spared
much OF the hostility that ha, proved Of
such invaluable assistance to the rebels
The sympathy of the British aristocracy for the
South was kept within bounds until that act Of
weakness taught them that they were safe in
giving it practical effect. We're we to confine
ourselves now to such dilatcry redress for the
violation Of our frontier aud the massacre Of
our pesceshle citizens as the authorities OF the
British provinces may choose to accord us, we
would find the rebellion assuming fresh points
Of aggressive strength. In all such cases there
is but one law-which must override all
otLers-that of self-defence. Men cannot sit
down and debate about points OF International
delicacy while their homes are in flames and
the blood Of their kindred cnsanguines their
hearthstones.
There is the less reason for our being
overscrupslous in this regard from the
refusal OF the British government to take
precautionary measures to guard against
what has occurred. When the insurrection
of tho Canadian patriots movement in
which SO many of our people sympathized-
broke ont IN 1887, and threatened 10 assume
the proportions Of . successful revolution, our
Congress passed law to maintain neutrality
on our borders, and sent GIeral Scott TO the
frontier to see that 1t was enforced. That was
the act OF an administration determined to
prove 10 tie world that it's sense Of duty and
fair dealing was not TO be controlled by its inte-
rests. When onr own troubles came upon us
we had right 10 expect from the British gov
eminent similar treatment. On the breaking
out Of the rebellion Mr.. Seward, anticipating
the exposure Of this couqsry to border war,
applied 10 il TO pass q law analogous to the
one enacted by Congress, and 10 adopt such
other measures as might be necessary to main
tain peace on the frontier II would be sup
posed that after the example We had set it
the government Of Great Britain would have
made no difficulty about acceding to 90 prudent
and reasonable request. Forgetful OF the
past, and specuIating probably on the aavan-
iages that might accrue to 1t from the condi-
ton OF things which We were endeavoring to
provide against, it returned us fat refusal.
Having done everything in our power TO avoid
the difficulties which these raids may produce
between the two governments, We have no al
terDa.ive left us than to fall back upon the doc
trine laid down in Mr.. Foxs reply to Nr. For
syth in the affair Of the Caroline, quoted by us
yesterday. The further repetition Of these OUT
RACES will prove 10 ne that the British pro-
vncial authorities are either unable or unwill-
ing to prevent them, and We shall thus be in
the position of right claimed by Mr.. Fox, and
can follor ID punish the rnarauders wherever
ws ma. ! them. This is idontically the po-
sition assurced by General Dix, and the govern
mont would have failed in its duty had il not
endorsed IT,
ia driving us 10 such an extreme course,
however, il mutt be added that the British
government has neither manifested regard
for good faith nor for its own interests. Its
course in respect to il Is of piece with the
one-sdcd neutrality which has marked its
conduct throughout. It knows well, as was
shown in the affair Of the Chesapeake, that we
have nothing 10 hope for 10 the way Of redress
from the decisions OF tho provincial Judges.
The refusal, therefore, to provide. by the pas-
sage OF law, against such occurrences, looks
very like disposition 20 encourage them.
Such, certainly, has been the effect. We need
scarcely say that nothing can be more foolish
or suicidal as regards the interests OF the
provinces. Tbcsc forays are iDtolerable, and
viii! lead, IL continued, 10 high state ei exas-
peratisp among our people. The British gov
crnment must be laboring under strange in-
faSation not to appreciate the consequences Of
them. II does not seem to be aware that tho
United States are eager for an early end OF the
war, not for the suppression Of the rebellion
merely, but FOR the opportunity which Il viii
afford them OF settling these, with other foreign
accounts Of long standing ia the meanwhile
a Congress will assemble that will be 'sss dis
posed than any Of its predecessors TO take such
things falsely. One Of the nrst OF ITS dut.cs
will be to decide whether the reciprocity treaty
shall be renewed or abolished. How can tie
United States be expected TO divide their trade
With the British provinces IL the Britlsh gor.
crnncnt continues TO allow the shores Of the
I,kcs and the West rndIa Islands to remain lAs