Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-05

selfish shoTssighted, TetFogade policy, aad the
Western States ought to be thankful for any event
likely to break down 8 system 80 utterly opposed
to their interests. When the commercial treaty
with France was discussed last year, one OF the
points mainly insisted on by Mr. Bright and the ad-
yOcates Of that measure this: that every order
for French goods was an additional Ii K in that
chain by which commerce was TO bind the two
countries in constant amity and entirely aud cor
daily concur with Mr.. Bright in that opinion
There are but two countries likely to come into col
hsion with England-FFance and the L nited States,
Win France we have done our best, hy means Of
Increased commercial intercourse, to promote and
establish peace Hitherto the vast mercantile tran
sactions between England and the United States
have, in spite Of perpetual subjects of dispute be-
tween Us, rendered war impossible but Morrill,
Tariff will sooH change this state Of things.
/ have here endeavored 10 give sketch of the
objects had in view in urging the recognition Of
the Southern Confederacy. l should have done
this with perfect good feeling towards the North,
and with the most hearty desire for its prosperity.
| should not have recommended isolated action on
the part Of England, but that whatever step we
take should be, as far possible, in conjunction
with the other great Powers of Europe.
The misery Of Coventry last winter, owing to
the change OF fashion, must warn us Of what
may happen If five millions Of our fellow country
men are thrown out Of employment by the short
supply of the raw material for our cotton manu-
faeturers The revenue from tobacco is very large;
the supply may be stopped, and we may then re-
greet the loss Of the paper duties. There are held
BY our countrymen sixty millions sterling Of AmeFi-
can securities if this war be protrscted, can they
expect to receive either principal or interest?
And if in this particular instance we depart
from our usual practice of recognizing indie
pendent State possessing a de fdctO govern
ment and all the elements Of permaneucy
and progress, can we suppose that France will fol-
low our example and become dependent on Eng
land-for such would be the case-for every pound
Of cotton she requires! l cannot but believe the
interests Of France and England to be identical in
this American question, and that the recognition
by these two great Powers of the Southern Confed
eracy, would cause the war party in the North to
pause before plunging their cOuntrymen deeper in
10 the sad struggle. ] am confident however, that
when calmer reflection shall have succeeded to
that storm of passion now sweeping over the North
the citizens of the United States will see that those
who, like myself, advocate the recognition of the
new republic, do not from any hostility towards
them, nor from any advocacy of slavery, but from
love of peace and unrestricted commerce, from
horror of civil and future years of deadly ha-
tired; and whatever hard words may be used to-
wards us at present, am convinced hereafter that
we shall be considered their sincere friends.
June 49, 1860 w II. GREGORY.