The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-18
The Relations of the United States
Cove rnmenf with Eur0neau P0xxers.

The Relations of the United States
Government with European Powers.
A despatch from W Washington, published in
the HERALD Of Thursday, contained the intel
ligence, that President Lincoln had notified
the diplomatic corps, that If a commissioner, a
minister, from the rebel States, should be re-
ceived by any European Power, the United
States government would instantly break of
Minister, and dismiss the representative here,
of the same. This news has since been con-
frmed, and q moments reflection will show
that no other course would have been con-
sistent with the instructions of Mr.. Seward
dated May 4, to Mr.. Dayton, our Ambassador at
ed to Mr.. Adams, prior to his departure for
London. Mr.. Seward wrote
You cannot be too decided or too explicit in making
known that there Is not has there been, will
there be any-lhe least idea existing this government
OF suffering dissolution Of this Union to take place In
any way whatever. There will be here only one nation
and one government and there will be the republic
and the constitutional Union that already
vved dozen national changes, ard chances Of govern
ment in almost every other country These will stand
hereafter they objects OF human wonder aud
human affection. You have the of your de.
parture the elasticity OF the national spirit the vgor Of
the national government and the avsh devotion Of the
national to this great The thought or
dissolution OF the Union, peaceably or by force has
never entered into the mind Of any candid statesman
here aud is high time that II be dismissed by states
men in Europe.
There has existed in England from the times
of tory supremacy to the present day, an in
fiuential party, professedly opposed to repub.
lcan, and especially to democratic institutions,
which has continually prognosticated their
overthrow, and that they would eventually fall
a prey to anarchy or military despotism.
Journals like the London Herald still perpe-
tuate this feeling, and in accordance with their
natural predictions, incline to favor the In
surrection Of the seeding States, aad to force
the Brtish ministry into recognition Of their
independence. They see in possible dissolu-
ton Of the Union, the fulflment of their
wishes, and the practical realization Of their
theories. They would willingly wink at South
ern rebellion; and, under the pretext of keep
ing open their cotton trade, lend It their sane
ton. They neither hold office under Queen
Victoria, nor is there any likelihood Of their
doing SO; go that they can freely indulge the
disposition to annoy and embarrass the Pal
merston government, by insisting upon policy
towards the United States, which they would
be compelled TO repudiate, If they were them
selves in power.
Very fortunately for the continuance of
friendly relations between this country and
England, the Britiah ministry and Its organs,
contemplate American affairs from far higher
point OF view, and one which is based upon
those principles Of international law that are
recognized by all civilized nations. The recent
speech Of Lord John Russell contained q most
explicit disavowa Of any intention to interpose,
either "ohicially or oficiously," in the diffe-
rences between the United States, and the in
surrectionary part Of the confederacy. The
London Post goes further, and declares that
"in contemplation of the law, the secessionists
arc simply rebels" that "the President has
right both to declare a blockade Of the South
ern ports, and to treat Southern privateers,
when caught, as pirates" that "thc insurgents
have, neither de j,tre nor de fccto been recog-
nizs d by any Power in the world;' and IL lauds
"thc policy Of neutrality" which the Minister
Of Foreign Affairs lad "so forciby expressed
In adopting so wise course, England
is doing no more than following establish
ed precedent, and doing as we would
do, were there revolt in Wales or in Ireland.
Private Individuals might sympathize with tn :
insurrec!ionists; but government would abstain