Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-12-17
LETTER FROM WILLIAM PENN.
NUMBER THREE.
WASHINGTON. peeember 1O, 1861.


Since the publication Of the Diplomatic cor Il
espondence between this government and other y
atious, MIR. sEwAnD's despatch to Mr.. DAYTON
1 the French Court has become the theme of
eneral conversation. The strong nervous mar
Ter in which the Hon. Secretary yiudicates the
light of the American Union to settle its own
Internal affairs without foreign interference,
shows that he understands the temper Of the
people, and il fully able to discuss the princ-
pies which, as nation with whom we are at
peace, should characterize the Emperor of the
French.
1t appears that as early as June last, England
and France had il in contemplation 10 aeknow-
ledge the rebel government, and treat with it
accordingly; but Mr.. SEWARD, with the sagaci-
iy of shrewd and cultivated statesman with
great force of logic and dignity Of expression,
entered his solemn protest against any such in
termeddling with the domestic concerns OF the
United States; and called the particular ntten-
tion of Napoleon Ill to the seemingly forgotten
fact, that there were certain unaHuullcd treaty
stipulations yet existing between the iohoic Uni
ted Stdies-not n portion vi them-aud France,
which he must not ignore or set aside abruptly.
The Secretary reminds him also rf another lnct,
that he cannot imagine two governments to exist
in this Republic, while valid treaties expressly
recognise the American States ia including but
one Country, one Union, and one Constitution,
the honor and power of which are pledged to the
strict fulfment Of these treaty obligations on
our part On this point Mir, SEWARD we'll
observes;-
The Government insists that the United
| States are one whole undivided nation, especially
SO far as foreign nations are concerned, 0ui that
Franco is, by the law of nations and by treaties,
net q neutral power between Two imaginary par
ties here, hut II fteud OF the United States. In
the spirit OF this understanding of the cnse, we
are not only no, wishing to seek or to give Of
fence to France, but on the contrary, we desire
to preserve friendship with that great power, as
with all other nations.'
This language, clear, pointed aud unmislake-
able as it is, may have had It's desired effect
upon the Emperor, for it seems he halted there
after in his steps, aud if he did not entirely
change his policy, at least he dil not huiiicdly
execute it,
The idea that this government eau be destroy
ed has taken possession Of the minds of certain
European statesmen who neither understand
the character of our people the principles upon
which the government is founded or the geo
graphical impossibilites which lie in the way
of consummation go devoutly to be wished
by them. They look upon our democratic Re
publican institutions as so many loose screws in
the national fabric, which only need a little
| IA hq hfln oil fea f,, 4n1,
the ground. They caunot see the operation OF
that inherent cohesive national quaity--iudc.
pendence and et-goyerumcnt-snliio tl
unlearn their prciudices against republicauism
nor can they interpret how it is that, as they
suppose, we may yirtuuly overtum the govern
mental policy Of the nation at each Presidential
contest, and still continue to be a united, strong
and prosperous people, Hence it is they pre-.
dict the downfall nj the country, because of TIL
rebellion.
But foreign statesmen-as American poliii
clans have long since donc-will yet come to til
knowledge of the fact that the very violence Q
the treason now existing instead Of weakelu
the institutions of the uud will make thea n
! the more firmly rooted in the hearts of the pee
pie; and that, though it may cost blood an
treasure, the American stars will still glitter 10
> ages yet to comc, in IN unbroken consolidate
to illuminate the darkened path of millions t.
} freedom who are and may hereafter he crushe
down to the earth by the iron heel of despotisui
people who could rise in the scale of ua
tans in threetourths Of century to one Of In
grst Poieers Of the earth; who have succcssfu
! contcnded for the lead in tie march of hbert
and civilization; vino have given TO the worl
4 some of the most useful discoveries in arts nm
science who have reared some Of the mos
powerful iutellects and master minds of this 0
any other century are not a people who can b
annihated or blotted out from the scroll q
nations by any internal treason no mattcr ho,
well digestcl or secretly planned it may be %
No, no, they will rise in strength aa the fou
1 work progresses; and nerved by an unaterbl
sense Of right, they will come out of the conte.
Conqucrors. Tie extreme tension Of America
2 courage has never hitherto been fully tested
, is being tried now aud from the iesult of hi
most gigaDte experiment Europe may learn
valuable lesson WILLIAM FENN.