The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-23
BALTIMORE.
THURSDAY, MAY %, 1851.

The extracts which we quote to-day from the
English journals ought to suffice to open the eyes
of the Northern people in regard to the future
course Of the European Government in connection
with American affairs. During the earlier stages
of the Southern revolution, the adherents of the
Administration confidently predicted that the
South would receive neither countenance nor re-
cogniton OF any sort from foreign powers They
referred TO the known hostility of England to the
institution Of slavery, and blndy supposed that
the people and rulers of that country would in
obedience 10 this feeling, witness with great COM
placency the blockade of the Southern ports the
ruin of the material interests of the South and the
subversion Of its political system. They fondly
Imagined that, for the advancement of what the
North terms the 'cause of civilization and hu-
''manity," England and France were perfectly
ready to sacrifice their own trade and TO tisre-
gard the plainest principles of international law.
That this notion was but one of the manifold de-
lusions under which the North has labored ever
since the commencement of our troubles, we were
always vel assured; for we could not see how in
the face fall the presidents to the contrary Eng
land could refuse to recognize a de fdcto Govern
lnent such as has been established in the Confed
crate States; and we were thoroughly satisfied
that she would not allow one of her most import
ant markets to be closed against her, if she could
by any means whatsoever obtain direct or ind-
rect access 10 it. The correctness of these views
Is becoming day by day more apparent. The in
dications which the proceedings in Parliament give
OF the intentions of the English Government, are
TOO clear to be misunderstood The announce
ment OF Lord JOHN RUSSELL, that privateers of
the Confederate States will be considered as
the lawfully commissioned vessels of a belli-
gerent nation, is pretty conclusive evidence that
the European Powers DO not intend to take Mr..
LlNCoLN's view of the "artiicial crisis'' in this
country. The mere fact that the privateers Of the
South are to be suffered to reft and TO sell their
prizes in the English ports, important as it is, is
sigpihcaht OF still more mOmentous things. The
declaration OF Lord JOHN RUSSELL is the first
step towards the recognition of the Confederate
States. They have only to show now that
they are able to carry on this war for some
time 10 come in a manner that gives the world
any reasonable assurance of their discrimination
and power to maintain their position and their
accredited agents abroad will very soon be re-
ceiVtd as The ambassadors of an independent ma
ton. 1t was not to be expected that England
would break with this government BY precipitate-
ly acknowledging the Southern Confederacv.
She was bound to wait until she could determine
whether there was in reality a revolution in the
South, or only widely extended instruction
which could be speedily suppressed by the Gus
tomary machinery of this government. But it is
now manifest that she comprehends how the case
stands, and Lord JOHN RUSSELL, in taking his
Sresent ground, knows perfectly well that the re-
cognl'ion of the new Confederacy must sooner or
later follow.