The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-11-18 00:00:00

THE QUESTION OF MEDIATION.

France, anxious of an attempt at mediation in
the great American struggle, communicated a
circular diplomatic note on the 80th October to
the Courts of London and St. Petersburg,
inviting a joint action fee the purposei Of alert-
ing their influence at Washitigton, aii ri ell as
evith the Confederate States, to obtain an armis-
tice for six months, or longer, if necessary,
during which time every act of war, direct or
indirect, should provisionally dease on sea as well
on land. These overteres, it WAS proposed,
should be simply for snioothieg delft di:enables;
dad in Interfering only in measures determined
upon by the two parties—not to decide upon,
but to prepare the solution of, the difficulties
which hitherto have opposed a reconciliation
between the belligerent parties. The replies of
the two Powers, to whom the note was addressed,
have now been publiehed. The Rassiah ,Govern-
ment, after tecalling the constant efforts Of
Ituissia in favour of conciliation in America, says:
"It is requisite above all to avoid the appear-
ance of any pressure whatever capable of chilling
public opinion in America, of exciting the
susceptibilty of the nation, We believe that a
combined measure' of the Powers, however Con-
ciliatory, if presented in an official or isfficious
character, would risk trrititig at a result
opposed to pacification. If, however, France
should persist in her intention, and England
should acquiesce, instruetioni *ball be deisPatehed
to Baron &belie', at 'Waiihington, to lehdto both
of his colleagues, if not official aid, at least
moral support." It will thus be seen that
Russia haa refused to join in any formal offer of
mediation at present, although it offers to
unofficially support the endeavours of England
and France to obtain a peaceful termination of
the dispute. The general purport of Earl
Russell's answer' which will he Inductih
another eoliiniti, is, that the British Govern-
ment ireeognists the humane intentions of the
Ehiperor, and wbuld gladly join Win, IA any
course by which the war Might bA brought to an
end. Toilet in coneurrenee with France on inter-
batienal questions, and particularly in matters
relating to America, is, we are told, the desire of
the Government, since it is filled with grateful
recollection of the support afforded by France
in the affair of the Trent. But after due con-
sideration the conclusion of the Cabinet Is that
interference, to be sticcelsfel, Intuit be post-
poned. At present neither the temper of the
belligerents nor the opinions of EurOpean pOwins
are such Si to encourage the peoteettimi of the
scheitte. The Government will,, however, care-
fully watch the progress of opinion in America,
and if it should be found to have undergone a
change, is Lord Russell hopes may soon be the
ease, his lordship thinks that "the three
Courts May theii avail themselves of such change
to offer friendly counsel with a greater prospect
than now exists of its being accepted by the two
contending parties. Her Majesty's Government
will communicate to that of France any intelli-
gence they may receive from Washington or Rich-
mond bearing on this tubject." In penning these
words, tatl Rustell , had undoubtedly. in tits
midd the revulsion, if not revoletion, of feeling
that is now going on among many of the inhabi-
tants of the Federal States. Within the last
two months, in !spite Of tyraniey &led teriorieni
in every shapet a moderate party has raised itself
UP, and made its *mice heard in protest against
the lawless violence, reckless expenditure, enor-
mous peculation, and, above all, the infraction
of the Constitution. This is not avowedly a
peace party, but it is a party insisting on things
that must tend to peace as they do to all the
other interests of society. For the war must
soon cease if the tyrannical and corrupt induce-
ments to it are cut away. And the mediation
Whieh the Emperor of the French proposed hat
this recommendation, that althoagh it hi net"
been accepted by the Power% to whieh it Was ad-
dressed, it *ill encourage public opinion to views
of conciliation, and thus contribute to hasten the
moment for the return of peace. The words he
has written and sent forth will rally and bheer
the men of peace in the Northern States, and
dismay the bloodhounds, the exterminators,
and the party who if they do not approve, yet
suffer such enormities as those of General
McNeil, who has surpassed the atrocities of the
miscreant Butler, by murdering prisoners in (sold
blood. Llnfortnnately for proposals for peace
being likely to be acceptable, especially coming
from England, while the Republicaus are in the
ascendanty, th§ir ieason is &idly at fault amidst
their folly, madness, and wickedness. Probably
nothing would please them better, nor tend to
serve their interests more, than to be able to
raise a good anti-British cry. They would un-
doubtedly make a handle of our interference to
excite the passions of the people, and thereby
regain the power which is rapidly passing from
them to the Democrats. The best way to deal
with such people seem, to be to ad towards them
as the Irishman, irk ".me Miller," acted with
his pig, which 'could be made to go forward only
by pulling its tail. Their every word and act
shows how desirous they are to act in a hostile
attitude towards us in their perverse and pre-
judiced judgment Of all that relates to this
country. By the refusal of our Government to
take part in a mediation to stop the war, many
of them will probably say: "The Britishers
evidently want us to go on cutting each other's
throats for ever. They don't care for starving
Lancashire to ruin America; and will make
moneF of it itt the long rein, when they have
teen us all beggared. England declines to medi-
ate for peace, because she wants to see us ruined,
and therefore we won't fight any longer to please
her."