The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-02-03
CHI A R L ES TON.
MONDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 8, 1858.
War With England.

In our telegraphio columns this morning
will be found dispatch, in relation 10 the
Alabama claims, which is calculated to e1-
eroise a pernicious influence in comm srcial
and financial circles.
The question now is will there be war
between the United States and England
We think not. Certainly not because OF
the Alabama claims. There is no reason
whatever for believing that England desires
a war with the United States; and however
strong the war spirit may be in Congress
in the United States army and navy, and In
that other army of contractors and specu-
lators, which, having tasted the sweets OF
fat contracts desires repetition OF those
crumbs from the national tablet takes
two to make quarrel; and just as no war
arose from the "Trent affair."" because the
United States were unwilling to entangle
themselves at that time in such coraplica-
ton, 80, we believe, there will be no war
now, because it is manifesily contrary to
the interests of Great Britain at this time
to plunge into so serious national calam-
ity, when the same may be so easily avoided.
It is not necessary now to discuss the
merits of the Alabama claims. 1t is enough
to know that England hos her hands full at
present, with Fenianism, the Reform ques-
tion, and the Abyssinian war; and that the
mere rumor of war with the United States
would give courage to the discontensed and
cause alarm to the well-affected throughout
the length and breadth of her donlinions.
England wants peace, and will make any
honorable sacrifice to maintain it,
We are in no better position to &c to war
than is England; nay, in some respects,
our disabilities are much greater. Ne have
lust come out of long and exhaustive
struggle, that has taxed the energies and
resources Of the country to the utmost.
We have debt as large very nearly as that
Of Great Britain, but in o much less salts
factory shape; our finances are in muddle,
and business is PROSTATE. We are in the
midst of q revolutions; our internal dissen-
sions are of far more serious and radical
character than those of England, maugre
Fenians, JOHN Bright, Trades Unions and
King THEODORE. Still those who have con-
troll Of our government are rccE:eHs-quite
willing to run the risk Of war, in view of
its effe,t on the elections next summer and
autumn. Bullying Mr.. Bull is popular
card. First and foremost it conciliates the
"Irish element" 2. 1t grati6es long
harbored resentment because of lsngland's
sympathy with the 'srebels." 8. There
may be some silly enough to think that by
foreign war the home breaches can be
mended; and 4. There is the large class,
alluded to above, who are personally inter-
ested, and expect to vault into the gilded
regions of shoddydom by such turn of
fortunes wheel.
On the whole, we believe, that neither
nation has anything to gain, but much to
lose, by war at this time, and we there
fore cannot doubt that wiser cornsels will
prevail, and oonciliatory course make
such an alternative altogether improbable.
Every man in England is not a fool.
Every man in America is not linsve. As
long as there are men in both countries who
have sense enough to see what is right and
honesty enough to do it, there will be no
war between the moulting American eagle
and the sleeping British lion. But it will
not do to carry out too literally the tradi-
tions of Donnybrook Fair. "Will any gen.
tleman tread on the tail Of my coat!" is
more becoming the individual fre-eater
than representative or Congressional wis
dom. The United States can, Of course,
whip this world and the next; but mortal
struggle with England would certainly be
troublesome and might be rather dangerous.