Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-01-12

h.l~ w lnltul, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY sll
Hanover, Monday, February 18th.
! will address other couMtitt GA the way, as l TIM
it convenient 10 give tinely no,ic. 80
NORFOLK, JANUARY 3, lSjo.
--->S--
MEDIATION OF HI UNITED STATES.
We had hoped that, after the declaration of Nh
Bayly that our government, had already made an in
edectual overture Of mediation TO the contendinl
parties in the present intcrnccine war, the suffice
would have been finally dropped. But it has recent
u been stirred again in Congress, and it may not bt
amiss TO define our position. In doing SO we ranuo
do better than adopt the language of the Charleston
Standard, whose views we fully endorse. Ii the peo
pic Of his country are interested in the discontinue
unce of hcs,ilities in Europe, it would seem nutura
aad proper that they should express that interest; unt
i! the questions. a, issue are susceptible OF amicahle
solution, it would seem commcndable and proper tina,
IN, government OF the United Suites should tender
their mediation for this purpose. On the other hand
!. is 70 be remembered tba; the sphere of this govern
meati. is 3, home; that it has been lis policy and rrac'
,ioe to keep as free a, possible from extra territorial
action; that in the theory Of its Constitution there ISL
design 10 raise q structure within which individual Ii
betty may fud development; and that It's influence
upon foreign countries, and its coptrol and direction
o.. the fortunes oi QldDhlDu, silaIi oc AS.pe t"toei
through tho moral influence OF its example, than by
the di.cc. and immediate agency Of lis executive
power.
In this aspect of our posi,ioni it may be cravelyques,
toned whether the action solicited is unohjectionable
it may be doubted whether il will not establish q pre-
oeden,, which i, will DO difficult 70 override, and lead
20 q course from whose further prosecution it will be
impossible to recede, without q more direct participa-
fion In the contest between the parties. OF the latter
difficulty there may, ~perhaps, be no serious cause for
spprehension; the action Of our government may be
stictly limited TO a course of friendly conversation
and advice, aud its interference may be so guarded as
thu; i; ;s counsels are UNDECIDED. II may be constraln-
ed TO retire 10 us present condition of neutrality and
indifference. In this even, there may be bur little
harm, If little good should happcu 10 result from it,
Ye, If It's propositions shall chance 10 be accepted,
and. presenting the basis OF Il peace, II It should
chance that either party should prove iaI,lhicss to lis
stipulations, it may thus become possible that or
friendly relations with some one or the Other OF the
powers may be seriously compromised, and tho couse-
oueuce., therefore, OF such all interference, even In
this present instance, m,y possibly become embar-
RAISING.
pus Ito pIrv-ueu, .nus ~ uc established ~ that
which we regard with the greatest apprehension. IL
mus, ever be remembered ;ha; the government OF
these States is not the State. IL is our agent and u
very proper aud convenient agent for our necessary
intercourse with foreign countries, but it is not the
social and political exponent Of the country or of
any particular par, Of this country. II Is II naked
political fabric, properly Justine, with cniy thar life
wa!ch sovereign States haze seen proper To breathe
into il. Its interests are not only hot necessarily nc
oordan, with the interests Of the several members
which have contributed 10 its composition, but they
nav be, aud so tar as it assumes tue functions ot q
separate and distinct existence, they must be, very
much in opposition 10 them. and while, therefore, up
o.. extraordinary occasi ons, II might be vol TO ca
press the sentiment of tho people of these United
States upon questions which come to the a~rbitranent
Of battle between foreign powers, wo yet would have
that sentiment 10 como through States, but not confer
that extraordinary and dangerous function upon the
general government. II 10 not. n our conception,
wise and proper that it should have the liberty OF!
voluntary association with foreign sovcrcisn,ies-that
It should be permitted Is cutch the tone and take the
habits which have become familiar 10 independent;
powers. Within its sphere it is harmless and emf
aently servicaolc, but if accustomed 10 n magnificent
sphere of international intercourse, and entrusted with
the exercise OF enlarged discretionary powers, it may
acauire q strength Of Individual constitution aud be-
come encased in IN arnor Of defence 50 strong, that il
may lay its iron hand upon the States themselves.
FROM these considerations, therefore. We do not feel al
liberty TO commend tho movement We respect our
government within It's sphcre-wo hope ,ll"t it will
give TO this country the position, among the nations
Of the earth. TO which it is properly entitled. We
would be glal to know that its influence is know and
fel: by foreign countries. We would even be pleased
10 too,v ,hn. ,hey looL uupu ia fran lirpnd with Qwc
and admiration, but, no, to gain that end, would we be
willing thut ou- government should start from Its
sphere upon u wild and random oroi: of international
adventure.
The y. o. Picayune shows that The present. pro-
possd mediation is entirely different from the media
ton proGe!ed to us BY Russia in the war Of lsl2. In
that case the controversy involved points OF ulari-
time rights 10 which all commercial nations are con-
eerned. Not 80 with tue oftor OF American mediation
in the war Of Grent Britain and her allies with
Russia. II is q war altogether for European Objects.
/, 10 war altogether for European Interests. 1t is n
war altogether for European principles, with which
our Government has neither analogy o. conseninli'y.
The degree i'll which our interests as u commercial aud
trading ua;iou are constrained To suffer, is q conse-
cucnce OF similar suffering TO which the belllSerents
have submitted themselves os the price OF some other
goou, wuicn tney mink oil paramount Importance, anu
therefore i, is a plea not 10 be urged rs giving us a Ii
.e 10 interfere. The plea Of humanity is az strong
fr thoee whose own bloc! and treasure ue poured
OFT 70 waste 10 these dreadful scenes, as it can be to
20 ct a distance, aud .ae prayer from Us IN them that
they should for the sasc OF humanity spare their own
Lvse and substance from this horrible waste would
DO o mockery. There is no title Of community of
opinion or community Of interest which We eau show
20 authorize us to give al opinion upon the questions
approval Oh principle any settlement they eau posi-.
bly, make 10 arrest hos:ilirics. As cain observers, w,
may be glad il they snal! find II Way of mutual nc
e,umoda,iou among themselves but this republic
has no proper place rs umpire, arbitrator " mediate
upon question. which belong exclusively to a system
OF governments more or !,s. de>po.ic i'll their charac
Tor, but all mpnsrchical, aud which relate to thci
several proportions in balancing the system wlirl
cor principles reject altogether.
- 49,
JOHN MlTcHEL'S JAIL JOURNAL"
We have too loDg omitted to notice the receipt Of
worry handsome Jul interesting volume with tn
shove title. being a collection Of papers that huv'
appeared from time TO time in the Citizen" w
agree with the y. Orleans Delta that much interest at
tscbes 10 the work Us "the record Of I'LL Intelligent IN,
educated observer, WHO has seen many countries mt
peoples, not without profit, aud described what H.