Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-01-04

The sinking OF the Efortdo-Britisb
view OF the Matter.
The London Times OF December 18th contains
the following:
Let Us assume for moment that the disap.
pearance Of the notorious Florida was the result
not OF accident, but Of design in fact, that it wa:
the fulflment of a little plot arranged by Mr.
Barnum or some other master of patriotic smart
ness Upon this supposition what ought to bt
our feelings aboutit? Perhaps it betrays a wani
of sensitiveness in the conscience. but the truth
Is, that are not disposed TO waste much iudig
nation upon the subject Granted that il was d
Yankee trick. of no very legitimate kind. &c
make specific performance of an international
duty impossible by destroying the property in dis
pnte. what are we to say OF the proceedings &c
10 which the Florida owed her existence! Ii heI
capture was lawless violation of neutrality
what was her equipment; If underhand mean:
were employed TO get rid of her, what sort Of
meaus were employed To procure herr Far be il
from Us 10 justify or paliate one wrong act by
another: but the question here turns. not on the
morality Of those who contrived the " accident.
but on the claim of those who suffered by il, &c
our sympathy.
"Quis tulerit Gracchos de sedtione querentesi'
Those who sacrifice means to ends in the pros
ecution of their own objects cannot be pitieC
when the tables are turned on them equally
unscrupulous opponents. The party whose
rights have really been outraged on our present
supposition is the Brazilian government, anc
from this point of view the original seizure oil
he Florida was a more lawless act than her "ac
cidentsl submerson What apology or atone
ment Mr. Seward will think il consistent with his
dignity to make remains TO be proved bet We
venture TO anticipate that it will be ample and
even profuse. II costs nothing 10 confess fault
- =. H. -
when the blame of il can be thrown on a subordi
nate and the only reparation that would be diss
greeable to make has ceased to be possible
American pride will not be offended by volun.
teerng the assurance that but for this mishap the
Florida would have been restored. for between
saying that in given contingency one would
have submitted TO humiliation and actually sub
hitting 10 it there is much the same difference
as between considering oneself sewhipped and
being horsewhipped il ;sct.
We cannot suppose that the Ingenuity which
has sufheed to play the game so far will be IN
equal to the successful termination of it; indeed
foresee but one serious difficulty 70 be over
come That difficulty is. how to avoid censur.
Ing or Furnishing the captain OF the Wachssett
in case Brazil should require il II will obyi-
oGsly De EASY enough 20 reprimand the maste. of
the transport for bis uOseamanlke conduct,
whereby the United States has been compromised
and their honorable intentions defeated But the
night attack upon the Florida in the harbOf Of
Bahia, and the towing her out 10 sea under the
guns of the Brazilian forts. does not wear the
aspect of 81 accident and the attempt 10 reore
sent !, in that light may. perhaps be met a. San.
cho Panzt met the assertion that he had been
himself tossed in the blanket by fairy hands
More delicate handling viii here De required thar
was exhibited either in capturing the Florida OF
ruHning her down. but TO doubt that il will b,
forthcoming At the right time would be an insu
to the a mercsn character.