Year: 1862

The London Times, while advocating the most
selfish or least scrupulous policy in foreign affairs,
is an ncorrigible Pecksnf in its pretensions to
purity of purpose. Speaking of the prevalent dis
tress in Lancashire in consequence of the rebel
lion in America, this sef-styled organ of British
opinion SAYS " 1t is for the honor of the natl n
that this distress be known, so that the world may
see the sacrifices we have made for neutrality"
The world will see that there is much suffering
among the operatives Of England as there is
among those of France The inference that will
most naturally be drawn is, that these countries
are largely dependent upon the United States not
only for supplies Of new raw material, but for a
market for manufactured goods. Because the
outbreak of rebellion has cut off these supplies
and diminished the scope of tAis market, does it
control, or deserve credit for generous forbear-
ance, by not violating the laws of nations and bold
ly attempting to gain the desired ends by a wan
ton resort to brute force ? Suppose the cotton
crop had been destroyed by any swift-sweeping
disease attacking the plant, and the suffering con-
sumers abroad should get the notion into their
heads that this failure of the crop was due to the
neglect and unskilfuness of the cultivators would
the consumers aforesaid merit any applause for
not violently interfering to punish the cultvators
or to take possession of the soil ? The cases are
not analogous But unquestionably our English
friends would have as much right to throw their
r1c s,,4 IL - tbo - tbo
other; that is to say, no right at all.


Americans are not likely to misconstrue the
spirit of England after the hasty and ridiculous
furry she made over the Mason and Slidell affair.
We know-we are thoroughly convinced that
the want of decent pretext to Justify herself in
the eyes Of the world, and vague fear of the
consequences, alone restrained this haughly and
unscrupulous power from intervening for the sup
port of rebellion and the destruction of the Amer
lean Union. There has been no period during the
war when the people of the loyal States INDUCED
in the slightest inclination to submit to British
interference in our purely domestic quarrel. The
spirit that animated the twenty millions of people
to the support of the Government after the insult
of Sumter, was one determined to defend that
Government and vindicate their rights against all
enemies, whether they came from the southern
savannas or from the shadow of St. James. Un-
questionably, we have known times of reverse and
weakness from want of preparation, when the ad-
dition of the British navy to the offensive means
of the foe might have proved disastrous to our
hopes of restoring the Union. But British states
men had already twice tested the indomitable
character of the inhabiting these shores, and
the loyal States were known to contain a far
greater population than that which rejoiced over
Saratoga and Yorktown, and beat back Yelling
toms veterans from New Orleans. We might have
swarmed the seas with privateers, and thus de-
stroyed in a great measure, that commerce upon
which England depends for both raw material and
markets. And one must be unaccustomed to
watch the policy of European nations to question
that we should have prompt and powerful allies
allies from interest," perhaps, but none the less eff
fectve. 1t was plainly seen, then, from the COM
mencement of the rebellion that British interven-
ton in America, far from relieving the distress of
Lancashire, would have prolonged the struggle,
brought on general war in tEe interest of hu-
manity and nationality, and added the suffering
of those dependent on British commerce to the
miseries of the manufacturing population. The
Slidell and Mason bluster and demonstration con
stituted about as much Of an American war as the
British nation cared to indulge in during this crit


ica period. That neutrality" for which the
Times says the nation has made so many sacrif-
ces, is well understood everywhere as purely one
of policy or necessity.-SocramentO Union.