The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-04-12
From Washington.

Observation-Disclosures
patches-Peaceful Separation the Pol
Icy OF the MISUNDERSTANDING
Diplomatic Instructions, etc.
Fom the Cincinnati Enquirer. -l. d, .f..,ss
WASHINGTON, March 20.
Rumors in diplomatic circles are abund-
ant. No doubt is entertained that England
and France will at an early day treat the
southern confederacy de faeto government,
to which they will be stimulated by the
Morrill, Tariff, though their well known
principles of public policy would compel
them to do 30 at some time. Another
rumor is that one of the Spanish Legation
should have declared that his Government
would not receive Carl Schurz, at the same
time disclaiming any intention in 80 doing
to be disrespectful to the Government that
sent him. 10 receive him, it is declared,
would be to encourage rebellion against the
legitimate governments on the Continent.
From the Cincinnati Commercial.
The ghastly spectre of civil war is not
likely to haunt the public mind much long
er. There is no flavor of saltpeter in the
whiffs of intelligence from the White House.
The drift of the Administration is evidently
towards peace, upon the basis of a peaceful
separation. O-c0axing nor compelling the
seceders. The idea of being able to coax
the seeded states back into the Union is
entirely abandoned, and still less is there
disposition to attempt to drive them back
al the point of the sword and bayonet. The
Administration of course cannot take the
initiative in the premises, but will continue
pacific attitude until either the proposed
National Convention or Congress will take
such actions as will bring about final par
ticipation on good terms. The revolution.
lists alone can plunge the country into civil
war, either by aggression or unreasonable
demands upon the Federal Government, or
by refusing to accede to final separation
on terms consonant with the interests of all
concerned.
The loyal North has been outraged and
Inundated enough during the last months
of Buchanan's Administration, and it can.
not we'll be blamed for expecting vindica-
ton of the honor and dignity of the Federal
authority from the Republican regime but
the arm OF the Government is completely
paralyzed, and it could not strike even we're
it so disposed. a,.-
1t can no longer treat the doings OF the
secessionists as rebellion, but has to recog-
nize successful revolution in them. Any
attempt to take the forts and other public
property now held by the rebels, or to rein.
force Forts Sumpter or Pickens, or blockade
the Southern ports for the collection of the
revenue, would Immediately open civil war,
and without doing the least practical good,
cause loss of life and property outweighiDg
the advantages that would possibly be
gained.
1t is true the Nation will be utterly hu-
inflated and debased in the eyes of the
whole world, by the virtual triumph OF the
Southern rebellion, but the spectacle of a
bloody strife between the two sections of
the country would hardly be more creditable,
and hence the Administration will choose
the least of the two evils.
These are the exact views prevailing in
Administration circles at the present time,
and they will be embodied in the actions OF
the executive during the next few weeks.
Special Dispatch to the Cincinnati Gazette.
WASHINGTON, March 81.
The Spanish Minister and Secretary
Seward had conference yesterday, on the
report that the Republic of San Domingo
is about to be attacked by Spain. The Sec
rotary of State discredited the impression
generally published that there can be any
serious foundation for the statement. The
Spanish Minister has no official information
of the colonization process, which it is al
legged has been carried on in the Island for
year past. Later and more reliable intel
ligence is looked for with great interest.
1t is we'll remarked that our domestic
dissensions render vigorous foreign policy
almost impossible for the present, and we
must expect to see but little Difference paid
to our wishes and interests by the naughty
countries of Europe while the Union re-
mains endangered.
Quite quarrel originated at the White
House, this morning, in the Presidents
room, between the rival applicants for the
offices at San Francisco. The President
found it necessary to interfere and rebuke
the Overheated patriots. He said be
thought they came there to advise him in
the selection of candidates, and not to as
sault him. The advice he would take, and
then requested them to withdraw. There
are three distinct cliques from California,
and the contest between them is very warm.
Information has been received here that
the Florida Legislature has just passed an
act which declares that on the event of any
actual collision between the troops of the
late Federal Union and those in the employ
OF the State of Florida, it shall be the duty
of the Governor of the State to make pub
lie proclamation of the fact, and that there
after the act of holding Office under the Fed
eral Government shall be declared treason,
and the person convicted shall suffer death
This act was approved by the Governor of
the State on the 18th inst. and is intended
to apply to the Judge of Admiralty, who
will soon discharge bis duties under the
Governor.
Mr.. Corwin left to-day for Ohio, from
whence he proceeds to New Orleans; to
take the steamer Tennessee, on the 10Th
proximo, for Vera Cruz.
l learn from an authoritative source that
out of the 400 officers of the army, only Al
have resigned or been dismissed, and these
probably included all, or nearly all, who are