The Northern press affect to believe that
England will yet give them her sympathy in the present contest, and that
France will aid them, not only by kind words, but, if necessary, by arms.
Their quotation of
European authorities to this effect is not to be relied upon.
They have proved over and over again that truth is no virtue in their code of morality, and the wholesale fabrication purporting to be an extract from a letter of
Mr. Russell, the
Times correspondent, shows that there is no artifice or deception which they will not employ.
Nothing is clearer than that, if the
South proves her ability to defend herself,
England,
France, and all
Europe, will acknowledge our independence.
The interest of
England in the success of our cause is plain and undeniable.
That of
France, though not equal to that of
England, is still very great.
Moreover, the
French alliance with
England is too valuable to the
Emperor to be relinquished, even were it to the interest of
France to preserve the
Union.
Louis Napoleon well understands that the
English alliance is the sheet anchor of his throne in
Europe.
He may desire that the
Union be preserved, in order to counterbalance the maritime ascendancy of
England; but this remote contingency is not to be weighed for a moment against the permanent and practical advantages of the
English alliance.
When the
Northern press asserts that
Napoleon will give the
North, if necessary, active aid, they forget that he is the last man in the world to proclaim his purposes, and that in the interview of M.
Thouvenal with
Mr. Faulkener, the declaration was made that, whilst
France would not act with precipitancy, the
de facto rule was one to which she had adhered in
Europe.
In the only interview which
Napoleon has had with
Mr. Faulkner, he desired to know if his mediation in this war would be acceptable.
That the
North, boasting itself to number three to one of the
South, should be so anxious to secure
European aid besides, does not speak highly for its confidence in its own capacities.
Of course, we cannot and do not expect
Europe to acknowledge us until we prove that we can help ourselves, nor do we ask or need foreign aid. But nothing is more clear than that the interests of
England are indissolubly united with those of the
South, and that she will rejoice to see us establish and maintain our independence.
