Intervention.
The foreign news published this morning assumes a very deep interest, because of its reference to the question of mediation by
France and
England for the restoration of peace on this continent.
Some of the statements of the press given assume a very positive shape relative to the intention of those Governments to interfere.
Yet the
British Ministers, in their replies in Parliament on the 13th inst., to inquiries propounded, stated that there was no purpose on the part of the Governments to offer mediation in American affairs
at the present time; and it was further stated, that the
Government of
France had made no communication to Her Majesty's Government on the subject.
Nevertheless, the very phraseology of the
British Premier, and the
Minister for Foreign Affairs, shows that they meditate mediation at some future day.
The temper and character of the editorials of leading journals in
Paris and
London, as well as the speeches of leading men, justify the conclusion that mediation in some form will be proposed at the earliest moment the two Governments deem it proper.
A great victory over the huge army sent to take this city may offer such an opportunity.
The public sentiment of both
England and
France, aroused by the overbearing and ruthless measures of the
Lincoln Government, will approve of mediation at any moment the Governments proposing it determine upon it. The earlier, no doubt the more agreeable to the popular mind.
It is a matter in which interest and feeling go heartily together.
The suffering in
England and
France from the existence of the war is great, and constantly increasing.
The termination of the war alone can give relief, and the conviction is growing stronger that there can be no restoration of the
Union, and that the war will be prolonged
ad infinitum, unless brought to a close by mediation.
It is this feeling and conviction that is stirring the press and the statesmen.
It is this which is multiplying the rumors and inciting debate upon the subject.
They are the advance of the solid movement that must follow.
The Northern press looks upon them as unmistakable signs.
The
Herald considers the intelligence published by us this morning as plainly foreshadowing the intention of
England and
France to intervene to stop the war and ‘ "enforce peace on the basis of a separation between the North and South."’ It says:
‘
"Taken in connection with the visit of
Count Persigny to
London, with an article in the
Paris Constitutionnel, with the tone of the
English press and Parliament, and with the fact of the invasion of
Mexico for the avowed purpose of changing its institutions and subverting its present Government, the news is of a most startling character.
The same pretence set, forth in the
Spanish Cortes by Calderon Collantes for intervention in
Mexico — namely, to 'prevent a fratricide war' is held out to the ear of humanity and civilization for intervention in the
United States.
But cotton and tobacco and hostility to free institutions are at the bottom of British and French philanthropy.
The London
Times, of the 11th instant, raves about promised cotton, and takes no comfort in our capture of New Orleans.
Their ruined commerce and manufactures, and the revolutionary tendency of their own population in consequence of prolonged distress, are the real incentives to the action of the Powers of
Western Europe, and not any sympathy for the sufferings of humanity in the New World."
’
The
Herald thinks that the programme, as intimated by the Manchester
Guardian and Lord Palmerston, is to let
France ‘"go forward alone, as in the case of
Mexico, and that if necessary
England and
Spain will come to her resene." ’ The thought of this intervention fires the indignation of the virtuous
Herald,--the ardent supporter of the vilest tyranny on the face of the earth, --and it utters the following terrible threat towards the three powers who have ventured to trespass upon a continent which
Lincoln deems under his especial province and guardianship.
When the three powers read this paragraph how can they think longer of intervention?
‘"But the
United States will know how to deal with these powers should they attempt to interfere in her domestic concerns.
We will soon have an army of three-quarters of a million of men disengaged after the suppression of the rebellion, and a fleet of iron-clad vessels which will sweep the combined navies of
France,
England, and
Spain from the face of the ocean; nor will we ever lay down our arms till we wipe out every vestige of foreign away in the New World.
Meantime we call upon Congress to pronounce against the infamous scheme of the
European powers to break up the republics of
America and erect out of their debris monarchical systems extending from Hudson's Bay to
Cape Horn."’
For us, of the Southern Confederacy, who are to be first swallowed by this irresistible power before it annihilates the three great powers named, the path is simple and plain to rely upon nothing but our own energy and bravery to maintain and make good our determination to be free.
This will make us independent intervention or no intervention.
Come what will, let us be true to ourselves and our cause, and we have nought to fear.
It is the only way to secure our freedom — it is the only way to invite intervention.
