Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-29
The Remarkable Position of Eng.
land and France towards the Uni.

Our dispatches from Washington to-day, con-
vey intelligence of the most important and relia-
bic character with reference to the intentions of
the government in case any foreign Power what
ever shall give aid or comfort to the rebel States.
There will he mincing of matters in such an
event, whether the assisting Power be England
or any other Nation. Measures of the most un-
mistakable kind win be adopted towards any
country that may assist the seeded States in this
contest, even though they were to involve every
Power in Europe in war. Upon this point we are
informed that the President and every member Of
the Cabinet entertain but one view, and are ami
mated by but one sentiment. Confident of the
support, and relying upon the energy and courage
of the people, the Government at Washington
have decided not to hesitate an hour as to the
course they will pursue should England in any
way render aid to the States now in rebellion
against the lawful authorities.
Vhe late news from Europe show that the po-
sitlon which England and France occupy towards
this country is very peculiar one- 1t is clear
that the British Cabinet is wavering between the
sentiment of the people and the interests Of GER
tain classes. One portion of the Cabnet-the
Russell wing-is inclined to sacrifice all its for
mer principles for the sake of its pocket, while
another portion-the Palmerston wing-is dis
posed TO stand by principle at any sacrifice. The
part which the organs of the opposition are play
we Judge from the declarations of Lord John
Russell, that no definite policy with regard to the
recognition of the South, the legality of letters
of marque, has yet been decided upon, and we
conceive that there is wide difference Of opinion
upon the subject existing in the British Cabinet,
whica may ultimately lead to serious split The
comparison instituted between the rebellion at
the South and the instruction in Greece
in ls25 is not pertinent by any means, and
n
cove for the cotton interest. By the distinct
declaration of the Convention of Paris in 1856.
privateering was pronounced to be piracy, and
England was party represented in that Conven
ton. 1t becomes difficult to understand how
the law officers of the Crown. as Lord John Rus
sell states, can have come to the opinion that the
Southern Confederacy must be treated simply as
belligerents. 1t appears, however, that a month
ago all the Powers represented at the Paris Con-
gress were notified by the State Department that
the government is willing TO accept the code they
adopted at that period. which declared privateer
ing TO be piracy-a measure which is calculated
to IKE the British government little aback. 1t
is evident that there is now a terrible struggle
going on in the public mind of England between
sentiment and interest between principle and
pocket between philanthropy on the one side
and the cotton interest on the other.
Meantime Louis Napoleon will manage to urge
on England into taking sides in our difficulties.
France as NJ. Thouvenel said, does not act hasti-
ly in matters of this sort, ler conduct towards
Italy demonstrated; but France is not hurried
on by the imperative necessity for cotton sup
ply No doubt Louis Napoleon would not re-
greet tc see England aiding and abetting the South
ern States, course which might involve her in a
with the United States, her great commercial
rival-ai,d which according to the decision come
to by the Cabinet at Washington, it assuredly
woodland thus compel her to send her fleets
over TO this country, weakening her power in Eu-
rope, and enabling the ruler of France to carry
out his complicated policy with Russia, Italy and
the other Powers, leaving poor England complete
" in the lurch.
The rebellion in the South is destined to affect
the interests of more nations than our own. We
are now entering upon new era in the progress
of the world, more fruitful. perchance of change
than any which has preceded tn. Y. Herald.