Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-08-22
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Ii 1t should prove true that the battle Of Manassas
las virtually secured the recognition of our independent
nationality by France, and if following or accompany
ing France, England should join in the actual recog
milton at an early day, the moral effect would be very
decided in bringing Lincons Government into contempt
at homein discouragng the once confident feeling of
the North, by leading the people of that section to
early realization of the impossblity of the ultimate
conquest and subjugation of the South. There are
other important consequences attendant upon recogn
tion but nearly all morally rather than physically in
Huentia.
If, however, France AMI England should come to the
conclusion to declare the blockade Inefficient and there
FORE imperative, this with recognition, would give us
immense advantages which we do not now possess 1t
would give credit in the money markets of the world
1t would give US the means of amply sustaining that
credit by the shipment and sale of our products. 1t
would give US arms and munitions of war, and-if the
Lincoln government attempted to maintain its blockade
would, indirectly, give Us powerful allies
But let us never forget that these governments look
out for their interest, pursue their own policy, and
not ours So far that policy and that interest may
lead them they will 60 and farther Their prejqdices
are probably against The French SdUans may
write brilliant absurdities about slavery and Mr. Jeeby
and the Earl of Sharfsbury howl and cavort at Exeter
Hall in England but Louis Napoleon and Lord Pal
merston care for none of these things" except in
much as they elements of the national life and feeling
of the countries whose governments they preside
France has no Exeter Hall and nothing answering to it,
and therefore Louis Napoleon can take holder step;
but when step is taken, England and France will
move alike and together and this they will be apt to do
pretty promptly. Manchester will overpower Exeter
Hall and Lancashire take precedence of Borroboola
Cha.
But no outside circumstance possibly relieve the
South from the necessity of winning and maintaining
and demonstrating her own power to maintain her own
absolute, separate independence. The North will not
be satisfied until this is shown beyond the shadow of
doubt or peradventure. 1t must be shown that the
South can meade as we'll repel 1nUdSaOn-that this
thing of war is dangerous game at which two can
play-that frontier that be crossed from the North
can also be crossed from the South-tha fields and fire.
sides are no less sacred in Virginia than in Pennsy va
MIA, in Tennessee than in Ohio or Indiana-that if
Richmond, or Charleston, or New Orleans can be
threatened so can Philadelphia, New ork and Boston.
This being shown then may hope for peace and fair
intercourse 1t will DO to patch up peace with
the North under any such circumstance as will leave
her incendiaries and demagogues chance to impress
their people with the idea that if it had not been for
foreign interference, Why the case would have been diff
ferent, like the man who was imposed upon by
counterfeit note and paid any debts afterwards
charging all bis defacations upon the that passed
that note on him.
There is no 10 hoping for it. The war cannot
and will not end at once, very neither il
or will it be long war; or very exhausting one
One big rush will the Lncolnites make, and not more
on land. Their next attempt will then be to barry Ou
coasts. Once entanged with England and France thel
ships will hardly browse around at their sweet viii
without let hindrance. 1t is quite probable thai
their threats in that way will turn out to be brute
thunder. Still it may not. Nothing is certain will
which SO many unrealzed contingencies are connected
We ought to be prepared for anything that may be at
tempted.