It is rumored here that a near relative of a leading British statesmen at
Paris has written to his friend in
Washington to the effect that
France and
England have agreed as to the policy to be pursued by both Governments with American affairs.
The same authority on which this rumor is given adds that ‘"it is pretty generally understood that the blockade will be raised are long; and, for certain political reasons, it is considered that
France will take the initiative in this matter."’
We give the rumor for what it is worth.
We have little doubt of the recognition of the
Confederacy and the breaking of the blockade.
As for the matter of the
French taking the initiative, that may or may not be; but it may be assumed most reasonably that whatever is done by one of the great powers will be concurred in by the other.
Nevertheless, we must fight our battles and depend alone upon our own strength and resolution.
We can conquer a recognition and we can conquer an honorable peace.
Unless we conquer, we cannot command either, and neither will be conceded to us. Let us be true to ourselves and we need not fear the policy of commercial nations.
We present the greatest temptation in our own commercial resources that can be offered by any nation to invite the trade of the world, and we may be sure that as soon as we prove that we can make good our resistance to oppression, the more powerful nations will not be slow to take such steps as can restore to them a share in that trade which has been so profitable to them — which has furnished occupation to so many millions of their people, and which promises after our separation from the
Yankees to be greater than ever.
