The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-15 00:00:00

a considerable) army. It has released I- ome 20,000
Confederate troops against Shermen% rear. There
is no Federal arm: in Tennessee capable of reeisting
the light forces which have been sent thither by
the Confederates. Such is the position of affairs
after three years of war ; and, looking upon it, does
any man who values his reputation for sincerity
d.-.re to say that the subjugation of the South is.
still within the bounds of rational probability:
Every month of war improves the relative posts
tion of the Confederates. The worst is over for
them ; their severest sufferings have been endured.
the period of their extreme depression is closed;
they have passed the crisis at which the resources
accumulated in peace were completely exhausted,
they are now depending on those which they pro-
duce, and can continue to produce, in spite of war.
They have completely adapted their social, indo-
trial, and political organisation to their present state/
and find themselves able to provide amply for all
their needs. Their supplies of food,clothing, unpin'
nition, and arms are increasing—their losses in war
do not appear to be greater than the natural growth
of the population can replace, for of the wounded
only those who are crippled quit the army, and
these take the place of able-bodied men in civil oos
cnpation, who are thus rendered available for the
army, and the only permanent diminution of their •
force is measured by the number of killed—always
a small portion of the butcher's bill. The Federals,
on the other hand, grow weaker every day, Their
army is disbanding itself as the regiment a complete
their term of service, and they find themselves un'
able even to replace the retiring veterans by all
equal number of raw recruits. Their currency is
sinking with extreme rapidity,and a financial crisis,
which may occur to-morrow, can hardly be long
postponed. Their Government shrinks from $
conscription, and cannot do without it—discontent
grows every day, and a disaster in the field might
shake the power of the President to its foundation.
Under these circumstances, it seems perfectly
absurd that the policy of European powers should
be influenced by an affectation so palpable as that
of uncertainty as to the issue of the war. I°
sober politician considers that the independence
of the South has yet to be achieved—it is only in
diplomatic dispatches that statesmen speak of the
Confederate States as a merely inchoate nationality;
but, unhappily, it is by diplomatic language and
not by expressions of personal opinion that Europe
can influence the feelings or the conduct of America.
If Lord Russell would speak to the Confederate
Government as every nne speaks of it, he would
secure for England a warm and faithful ally, Whose
friendship would do more than an army of 50,000
men to protect the frontier of Canada. If England
and France would speak through their Governments
the opinion of their people—if they would accord
to the Government of Richmond that recognition
which it has received from the public opinion Of
Europe—they would do very much to bring the war
to a close, and spare the lives of tens of thousand.l
who must otherwise perish before the North will
consent to confess itself beaten. The ill-will of the
North towards this country is already so bitter that
we can hardly exasperate it. the United States
would go to war with us now if they dared ; theY
will not be the more likely to dare it if we prove
our contempt of their menaces by recognising t. 14
South. On the other hand, if we wait to recognis,°,
the Confederates till we cannot help it we shall
have no claim on their friendship and no right t°
their assistance when the North does find the con'
rage to quarrel with us. Recognition, then, so fat
from tending to precipitate war, is the best possible
guarantee for permanent peace between ourselves
and the United States ; and if either Parliament or
the Administration were capable of a courageou,
and far-sighted policy, Mr. Lindsay's motion naigl'"
have a chance of being carried, and of renderlog
material service to the country and to mankind'
But to submit such a motion to a house which bas
just approved Lord Russell's betrayal of DenmarV
and in which the authors of our Polish and MOO'
can policy have an obedient majority of eiglateat
is simply to invite defeat, to give an advantage t°
the Northern faction in Parliament, and to COurt'
teract, by an adverse parliamentary vote, whatever
effect may be produced by the manifestation cn
English feeling out of doors, in sympathy with al°
South and in confident expectation of her complete
and speedy triumph.