The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-06-09

movements against Canada they have at least
resulted in most convincing illustration Of
the wonderful difference established between
practical British and American neutrality. We
have already reproduced from the historical
facts OF our late Southern rebellion the scanda,
lous doings OF the Canadians a. friendly neigh.
bors and as professed neutrals and how they
aided and abetted In Montreal, citizens and
officials, the most infamous conspracies for the
destruction of our cities, our President and
Cabinet, government and country. This
Canadian neutrality, however, was only copy
of that Of the imperial government Of England.
To the utmost verge Of false pretences
during our late struggle to save the Union
from shipwreck the British government prac-
tised that system Of neutrality which Joab, the
general-in-chief Of Israel, practised upon Abner
in stabbing him under the flfth rib while taking
him aside under the pretence Of little quiet
friendly conversation.
This was the neutrality of Lord John Rus
sell. George Bancroft has fixed it upon him.
The many millions Of American property de-
stroyed upon the high seas by rebel cruisers
built, equipped and manned in British seaports,
and emerging thence upon one frivolous excuse
or another, were so many millions sacrificed to
British neutrality. The contributions which, as
political ventures in q Southern confederacy,
were furnished from England in the way Of
arms, clothing and munitions and materials Of
war would probably amount to many millions
more. The English blockade runners and their
cargoes captured or destroyed from the first to
the last of the late rebellion have been esti-
mated, we believe at some thirty odd millions of
dollars in value and those runners averaged
four or five successful trips each before their
career as carriers and fetchers of jeff Davis
was ended. Their great temptation was "Con-
fede rate cotton" the immense profits derived
from the exchange of it for English goods pay
ing for the loss of steamer after two or three
escapes But English sympathy with the re-
bellion and English neutrality had also much
to do with this blockade running, as well as
with the rebel cotton loan. Those powerful
Armstrong guns found on the rebel works at
Fort Fisher and labelled as presents from Sir
William, and various other offerings in the way
OF aid and comfort, justify the belief that but
for British sympathy and neutrality it would
not have required one-half Of the three hun
dred thousand Union soldiers sacrificed to put
down this late so-called Southern confede-
racy. The strong belief Of the rebels that this
British neutrality must end in an open alliance
with them was of itself equal to millions Of
money to the rebel cause.
We think it not an extravagant opinion that
at least one-half Of our present national debt
and federal taxation may be charged to the
account Of British neutrality, although under
the positive requirements Of law we may not
be able to enforce any demand for indemnity
except for those notorious Anglo-rebel spolia-
tons upon the high seas. In regard to these,
however, our government ought no longer to
delay positive ultimatum, according to the
example OF Andrew Jackson touching certain
French spoliations We have had quite enough,
If not little too much, Of the milk and water,
temporizing, shilly-shally policy of Mr.. Seward.
He is politician run to seed, or a desperate
adventurer who has lost his way, or the rider
Of hobby, "the irrepressible conflict" that has
at last thrown him. From the great apostle Of
the crusades he has fallen to the veriest diplo-
matte twaddler. His letter-writing, do-nothing
foreign policy II not the policy for the present
administration. He may stand still, but events
move on and we must move with them or be
switched OF the track.
A special ambassador should be sent to Eng
land by President Johnson with positive de-
mand for indemnity for those Anglo-rebel
spoliations upon American commerce. We do
not want another volume Of correspondence
from Mr.. Seward on the subject. Spare us that
infection. The government should now strike
while the iron Is hot from these Fenisn move
ments and this Canadian scare. We have shown
England an honest neutrality, and now we may,
with the applause Of the world, exact the pen
atty for dishonest neutrality. We have saved
her the Canadas and her contiguous possessions
from a revolution and the least we can demand
is the payment Of the debts she owes US on
the score of acknowledgements "cash down
on the nail"
Such a reclamation, closing the door at once
TO Mr.. Stewards letter writing, would he the
making Of President Johnsons administration
at home and abroad. We want something Of
this kind to bring US foremost in the front rank
Of the great nations where we ought to stand
automatically, as we'll as in our material pros
perity. We want something like this as
wholesome diversion against the everlasting
negro agitation. The offended public senti-
mcnt of the country demands il This public
sentiment revolts OF the idea of this reverend
ing, still-beginning flunkeyism to England.
Give US something better, Mr.. Johnson. Put in
your demand upon England in tho Jacksonian
style, and you will secure not little of the
glory and strength OF Jackson's administration.
You have only to say, "These indemnitics, IL
you please, or no more neutrality with the
Fenians," and the thing is settled and the time,
Mr.. President, has come.
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force under . government like ours, which
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