The New York herald., 1865-02-20

very important news from Europe relative to
the affairs Of this country, all Of which we give
in our columns to-day. The opening of the
British Parliament, the Queens speech, and the
debate in both houses, elected by the reading
of that document, together with the result
Of the meeting of the Privy Council in
Paris, form the leading features of the news.
The debate was most significant and in
teresting one, exhibiting material alteration
in pa'lc opinion, not only OF the people
but lv statesmen Of Great Britain, since the
receat great military events which occurred in
this couary. The capture of Atlanta, the
march OF Sherman through Georgia and the
fall OF Fort Fisher have had as telling an effect
upon the opinions and hostile feelings of E,,-
rope, with regard to the United States, as they
have been destructive to the rebel cause.
altered tone both Of ministers and opposition
lists in the late debate in the British Parliament,
as well as in the fears expressed in the French
Privy Council of our future foreign policy.
They are beginning to recognize the power and
permanency of the North; its vast resources;
its military, naval, commercial and producing
capacity, which has accomplished things under
the stimulus Of this war that the world never
believed the country was capable Of
This it is which has changed the opinion Of
Europe from hostility to friendship. The won
derfdl talisman that has wrought this conver-
sion ID the news Of Sherman's victories, and
Porter's irresistible naval dash, and General
Grants sound and certain plan Of war
fare. When the news Of the capture
of Columbia and the fall Of Charleston,
which went out by the steamer from
Portland yesterday, arrives in Europe, the
conversion will be complete. The story of
Sherman's almost unimpeded march through
the heart Of South Carolina, the seizure of its
capital and the downfall Of the most pestilent
rebel stronghold, will work like charm on the
opinions of both people and publicists in En-
rope just as surely as it has crushed the rebel
lion here.
Earl Russell, in his speech, admitted that
the people and government of the United States
had just cause of irritation in the conduct of
England. He said that 1t was natural we should
be indignant at the Canada raids, and not
unnatural that our government should have
adopted the course they did with regard to
putting armed vessels on the lakes. Another
cause Of irritation the British Foreign Secretary
acknowledged in the fitting out Of privateers in
Europe to prey upon our commerce and assist
our enemies in the South. Such admissions
rom such quarter would be regarded as
strange indeed before Atlanta was taken, and
savannah occupied, and Fort Fisher captured. |
Nor are these sentiments confined alone to |
Lord Russell. Similar views were expressed
1y other members of the ministerial party as
we'll as by many others on the opposition
benches, who are trying to pull the ministry
down.. The change, then, appears to be as
radical as II is sudden.
While admitting that we have just cause for
Earl Russell indeed questions the
business Of our claim for indemnify for the
destruction Of our merchant marine by the
Alabama and other privateers, and he cites
precedents from certain dealings with Spain |
md Portugal in support Of his objection; but
hese precedents amount to nothing, for England |
lerself has never yet accepted for the guidance
# her policy the precedents set by weaker ma
ions, nor arc we much controlled by them our
elves. Our business now is TO make prece- !
lents, not to follow them. However, we can |
wait for change Of opinion upon this question |
llso. When Lord Russell and the other states
men OF Europe learn that Richmond has fallen ,
md the rebellion is no more, ss they soon will,
his and all other claims we may have to make |
will be very agreeably adjusted. There will be |
'ery little cavil or dispute about them then. |
We win have proved ourselves nation so
great SO strong, SO powerful that it win be-
come polite to conciliate, and dangerous to
resist us The statesmen OF Europe were
waiting for hard facts-to convince them Of
the power Of this republic to crush Its enemies,
enforce its policy, and maintain its dignity as
great military and maritime nation before they
would admit its capacity to establish our demo-
cratic institutions as a permanency, and they
have them now to their hearts content. We
commend the report OF the debate in the Bri-
tish Parliament and the French Privy Council,
to the special attention Of our readers.