We put no faith in the rumor that
England and
France have been sounded by the agents of the
Abolition Government at
Washington as to their purposes towards the new Government at
Montgomery, and that these agents have returned and report that ‘"both of those countries have set their faces against the Southern Confederacy, and will in no manner recognize or assist it."’
Lincolnhas been in office but little over one month; there has been no time for agents to be appointed and ascertain the views of those Governments and return; and, besides, every indication from the press of
Paris and
London leads to the belief that the interests of both countries will compel their ultimate recognition of Southern Independence.
As to ‘"setting their faces"’ against the
South, if by that expression is meant active hostility against it,
England dare not and
France would not. When we say
Englanddarenot, we simply mean that her dependence upon cotton, which has always made her keep her peace with the
United States, will make her keep that peace with the
South; and when we say that
Francewouldnot, we ascribe to that great and gallant people a magnanimity and sympathy with the
South which we have never received from
England.
No one pretends that either power will take sides with the
Confederate States, unless some collision between their cruisers and the United States blockading squadron should produce such a result, but, active allies of the
North against the
South,--never.
If ‘"setting their faces"’ against the
South simply means the continuance of their anti-slavery sentiment, they may ‘"set their faces"’ against that or any point of the compass they please, without protest or remonstrance; but ‘"setting their faces"’ against their own trade and commerce, is a piece of absurdity they never have been, and never will be, guilty of.
