The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-07

Uxs
COERCION AND ITS ConoIIARY, FonnIaN INTER-
vESIIoK-The republican organs are endeavor-
ing to create an impression that the overtures
said to have been made by South Carolina TO
England and France have met with rebuff
There can be no stronger refutation of this as
sumption than the language Of the London
Post, Lord Palnsrston's organ, and Of the
Pays, which, though not official in the strict
sense Of the term, Ia known to receive its inspi-
rations directly from the Emperor. Both jour
nails indicate plainly what the policy of the
two governments will be in the event of repub-
lican obstinacy driving the Southern States
into the formation of a separate confederacy.
Admitting, however, that there were any
doubt as to what their disposition might be,
there are other considerations which would
control their action. The English and French
publics are becoming SO panic stricken at the
prospects which the interruption or failure of
the cotton supply from this country holds out
% them, that they would soon compel their
rulers to take active steps to remove the OBJ
structions to 1t. When the news Of the So
cession Of South Carolina first reached them,
the English journals, taking their cue from the
republican journals at the North, and believing
in the efficacy of coercion, discredited and ridi-
culed the movement. The withdrawal from
he Union of the other cotton States has alter
ed altogether their tone. They have become
nervously anxious that the separation, now
thofo so oh cho11 1a
BILE as possible. They sec in violent measures
only the paralyzaion for an indefinite
period Of their own industry. What sense is
there in assuming that the Eaglish and French
governments are less alive to this fact than the
commercial classes? They must perceive, on
the contrary, that in addition to the CONNER
cial distress and embarrassment which the in
terruption of the cotton supply will occasion
their people, they will have TO provide against
the political disturbances which periods OF
long protracted business stagnation are sure to
give rise to.
To us, then, the course that will be pursued
by the European governments, in the event Of
any attempt at coercion by the North, is plain.
Their interests demand that the outlets through
which they receive their cotton supply shall
not be obstructed by blockade. If they had
no justification for enforcing this, they would
endeavor to find one from the fact that whilst
Northern tariffs will be as unfavorable as pos
sible to their commerce, those ofthe South will
be as much the reverse. But they require the
aid Of no political casuistry to enable them to
make out case for interference. 1t has be-
come of late years the established policy Of the
European Cabinets to recognise dc .taclo
governments-that is, governments springing
out Of successful revolutions and in condition
to maintain their independence. No one will
assert that Southern confederacy will not
be in this position; and, therefore, we can pre-
dictate with certainty the steps that will be
taken by England and France, in tho event of
arepublican administration carrying out its
threats Of coercion and blockading Southern
ports. Thirty days viii not have elapsed after
that measure is resolved upon before we shall
have the English and French fleets off our
coasts. Thus the Obstinacy Of the republicans
promises not only to lose US half the confcdera-
ton, but to embroil us in hostiiities with the
maritime Powers Of Europe; and this with the
consciousness Of crippled resources and d.
vided allegiance towards the government on
the part Of our Northern people. If with such
prospects the dominant party persists in its
resistance to the reasonable concessions de-
handed Of it, it can only be said that it is
visited with the insanity that precedes self
destruction.