So far as this is an honorable sacrifice for the war, it is good.  But how long is it to last?  It will last until the whole country shall have lost a sneaking sympathy for the enemy and their institutions, and until every man and woman shall cease to openly approve of those principles which, as the secessionists truly maintain, constitute us ‘two peoples.’  With what consistency can any one avow fidelity to the Union and yet profess views according in the main with the platform of Messrs. DAVIS and STEPHENS?

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Divested of all other issues, the great complaint of Europe against our conduct of the war is our ‘inefficient blockade.’  If we are to attach faith to those arch-factors of falsehood, the New Orleans newspaper editors, a vessel leaves their port daily and securely for the Havana.  It was the same journals which some months since announced in each succeeding issue that ‘the fifteen millions loan is all taken;’ ’the loan is very nearly taken;’ ’it gives us pleasure to announce that the loan is now completed,’ and so on, backing up their assertion’s by a series of truly amusing details of ‘proof.’

That sundry vessels have broken the blockade is as palpable as that it was for some time most inefficiently conducted.  Yet, at the same time, let the enormous difficulties of the task be remembered, and our great want of means at the beginning of the war, when, stripped by the machinations of traitors for years, we had indeed to begin from almost nothing.  The coast from Maryland to Mexico is a different affair from that of France or England.  The great Napoleon himself, with all his efforts, could never keep his coast-line unbroken by smugglers.  Had foreign critics of our war made the slightest friendly or kindly allowance, they would never have spoken as they do of our ’inefficient blockade.’  But the great majority of their comments have been neither kindly nor friendly.

Meanwhile, the work goes bravely on.  ‘The Stone Fleet’ will soon have effectually stopped that ‘rat-hole,’ Charleston, and it is evident that, unless distracted by foreign intervention, the whole coast will be well walled in and guarded.  It must, will, and shall be done in time.  ’It is more difficult to move a mountain than a marble.’

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It would be interesting to trace the probable European results of a war between America and England.  Russia, threatened with a servile war, would find in a war with England the most effectual means of settling home difficulties.  Louis NAPOLEON, it is said, tacitly encourages England to get to war.  How long would he remain her ally when an opportunity would present itself of avenging Waterloo?  Or if Hungary and the Sclavonian provinces blazed up in insurrection, what price less than the long-coveted Rhine, and perhaps Belgium, would Louis NAPOLEON accept for his services in aiding Austria?  Or would he not take it without rendering such problematic service?  Let England beware his friendship.  He is a great man, and for his subjects a good one,—­but woe to those who trust him for their own ends or believe in his lore!  There was one VICTOR EMMANUEL who trusted him once—­with the result set forth in the following merry lay:—­