Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-01-13

Mr. CLINGMAN ON MEDIATIoN-Mr. Clngman,
the author of the proposed resolution requesting
the President of the United States to offer the me-
diation of this government to the beligerent pow
ers of Europe, addressed the House upon the SUBJ
iect on Wednesday. His remarks are entitled to
respectful consideration his theory is plausible,
and his reasoning fair. We do not think that any
one will object to Mr.. Cs desire to terminate the
war. We sincerely hope that it is universally re-
sponded TO in this country. It cannot be otherwise
with humane people. Civilization revolts at the
desolating carnage of the Crmes. And when We
as Americans reflect for moment upon the vague
unsubstantial and insignificant results which the
success OF either party promises to mankind at
large the wholesale slaughter of the contest scarcely
rises above the level of perrerse and wanton hom-
eide
Mr.. C. adverts to the good offices Of mediation
heretofore profered to the United States by Euro
pean governments and think they should be re-
ciprocated. Very good But we can easily sug-
gest case in which such good Offices would be
promptly rejected. Does anybody believe that the
mediation of any European power between the
United States and Mexico would, under the most
gallant success Of our arms, ever have given to US
California and New Mexico?
Would European mediation between US and
Spain, in the event of difficulty give Cuba to the
United States2 Now, suppose case. Were the
United States at war with any European nation,
and our influence was such Ps to arm the democ-
rscy of that nation against the reigning power,
with the prospect of establishing republic, would
European mediation from any quarter assent to
such change in the government as condition OF
peace? We know instinctivey, that in all these
things mediation would be sganstNs. Yet, in any
odsus bei or in active hostities between the Unit
ed States and any European nation, 1t would be
becoming and proper on the part OF any other Eu-
roneHn nation to offer mediation while it would
be ours to accept or decline, as circumstances ght
dictate But in case of war between the United
States and any other American power supposing
the existence of half dozen different republican
nationaliLes on this continent, we no propriety
in all offer of mediation from any crowned head of
Europe They would be governed by principles
ard sentiments altogether at variance with ours;
and such would be the case with republican me-
datory commission between the worthless and de-
testable royalties of Europe
1t is manifest to any casual reader of the diplo
matte correspondence between the parties to the
present war, that they are contending about
things with which we have no estimate in common
with themselves And for American citizens to
affect their point of view, and tolerate their sys-
TEN of national intervention, is to degrade the
high character of our government and its nstltu-
tons, and to compromise the great principle of
popular sovereignty.
We appreciate Mr.. Clngmans motives, and re-
spect the humanitarian and genial courtesy which
actuates him: but we dissent from his policy. We
agree that mediation is not Intervention" but It
nav be something worse. 1t may be humiliation.
The instant that an American commission assents
TO the bases OF negotiatiou tissue between the
belligerents, we assume before the people of Eu-
rope national connvance at their gross usurpa-
tons and frightful despotisms Baltimore Sun.