The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-11-26

| teel It's way Cauuousiy IN regard TO s'n'
United States. For some time past the tone. !,
the press of Great Britain and OF the leadiny
British statesmen has been remarkably cor
dial; but now the wind has shifted and there
appears to be a disposition to sail upon the
opposite tack. Simultaneously we learn from
the London Post that ''the relations between
England and the United States will soon be
CRITICAL" from Earl Derby that "a spirit OF
mutual iorbearance and kind Cancellation" is
needed to smooth away the difficulties con-
corning the Alabama claims; from Canada
that "the possibility of trouble with the United
States renders increased vigilance necessary
on the part of the Canadian authorities;" from
Washington that the attention of our govern
ment has been called to the ominous concen-
tration of British troops upon our Canadian
frontier; from France that the engagements in
regard to the withdrawal Of the French troops
from Mexico this month will not be observed.
and from the organ Of Secretary Seward that
the United States will not assume the Mexican
debt to France. These reports and rumors,
coming all together, certainly make out a case
worthy Of serious consideration. When cloud
appears in a clear sky and the barometer
begins to fall, careful captain commences his
preparations for storm; and it behooves us to
glance critically over the machinery, hull and
rigging of the Ship of State, and see what the
prospects are of safety or disaster.
In the first place, no matter how "critical'
our relations may become with England, there
is no chance for the Emperor Napoleon to re-
new bis schemes in regard 10 Mexico. General
Dix will make this clear to the Emperor at his
first interview. If the worst comes and we are
obliged to go into war with Great Britain, we
can easily spare twenty-five thousand soldiers
to settle the Mexican imbroglio. Indeed Sheri-
dan already has troops enough upon the Rio
Grande to deal with that matter, and Sherman,
who is host ia himself, is by this time on the
field of action The United States have treated
Napoleon most generously. Taking an unfair
advantage OF the internal troubles of a friendly
doctrine and establish a foreign empire upon
our borders. Had we turned upon him the
moment our rebellion was suppressed and
driven the French from Mexico by such thun-
derbolts as Grant, Sherman, Thomas and Sheri-
dan, he would have had no right to complain.
Maximilian's monarchy was a part Of the
rebellion and fell with it. jeff Davis
and the Austrian adyenturer were in the same
boat and were wrecked in company. Had we
pressed the point the surrender of General
Lee would have been followed by that of Mar
shall Bazaine. Instead OF proceeding to this
extremity, our government acted most mag
unanimously. Our armies, flushed with victory
and ready for another campaign, were quietly
disbandcd. The friendship Of France during
our Revolutionary struggle was remembered
as an offset to her enmity during the Southern
rebellion. Our moral power alone was brought
to bear upon Napoleon, and he was permitted
10 retire gracefully from his untenable posi-
ton. Now that Maximilian's empire is in
ruins, il is too late for the French Emperor to
break all his promises and undertake to recon-
struct his exploded projects. If he fails to ap-
preciate generosity, we win convince him by
the logic Of the bayonet. His troops must
leave Mexico voluntarily or remain prisoners
of war. We are ready for all eventualities,
even including . war with England. The
Spencer rife is as able diplomatist as the
Prussian needle gun. Russia and the United
have served Austria. II Ia the fixed resolve of
the American people that the French and Maxi
milan must retire from Mexico and the repub-
lie be re-established. We want this done
peaceably, II possible, but forcibly, If neces-
gary. Napoleon may take his choice.
In regard to England, but one course remains
for the United States government, and that is
TO insist upon the immediate settlement of The
Alabama claims, without the delay of COM
mission or the reduction Of a single dollar.
The talk of Earl Derby about "mutualr for
bearance ard Cancellation is oil nonsense.
Hitherto we have been too forbearing and too
conciliatory, while England has been aggres-
sive and practically hostile. The time has
now arrived for strict and impartial Justice
During The rebellion we fought against British
privaieers, British seamen, British arms, am
munition and provisions, and British advice
and sympathy, and we conquered in spite of
these. To the victors belong the spoils.
British neutrality was farce, and any display
OF British braggadocio viii be q failure SO far
ne we are concerned. Between the United
States and Great Britain all the advantages of
war are in favor OF the former Power. We
have everything to gain and England has every
thing to lose. The war would be maritime
one, and the English seaports are at the mercy
OF our iron-clads The Fenans and reformers
only need the countenance OF our government
to succeed in Ireland and 10 start formidable
revolution in the heart Of England. A war
with the United States would be most unpopu-
lar in Great Britain; war with England would
be most popular in the United States. We
have but comparatively little shipping left to
suffer, thanks TO the British privatecrs, while