Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-05-09
From the Boston Courier, Ndy2.
NJ. Mercier-The DisuniOn Policy of
the Radical Republicans.

We have not thought it worth while TO
speculate, so long as the matter was in en-
bryo, upon the visit to Michmond Of NJ. Mer-
cier, the French Ambassador. The reason
commonly alleged seemed very inadequate
one, namely, the interest of the French Gov
ernment in the tobacco monopoly-all bust
ness in regard to which, one might suppose,
would come rather within the province of a
Consul than of a Minister Plenipotentiary
Aud the idea would seem to lose all plausi-
bllty u as has been reported, the Russian
and swedish Ministers paid a simultaneous
visit q e~Contederate capitol. Upon the
whole, npthing seemed more likely than that
theeXtfat rdinary journey thus undertaken
Ns ~ political object, and one which met
ta.a yi So Of the Government of the United
States, SINCE the visit could have taken place
only with its concurrence, and with that OBJ
ject known to it,
II is obvious, therefore, since there could
have been but one purpose, that mediation of
some kind was the inducement. That the
idea could be seriously entertained at Wash
ington Of the acceptance of any other propo-
sition than the acknowledgment of the Con-
fcderacy, would seem preposterous, if so many
extraordinary theories were not entertained
there. Indeed, so far as any of the results Of
this interview have leaked out-no idea was
INDUCED at Richmond, except that the war
was to be fought out until the Independence
Of the Confederaey was secured. We do not
speculate now upon the probabilities Of such
an event, but only state the facts of the case,
as they stand in the minds of the Southern
people.
Nor, looking at the matter in another light,
will the thought seem SO strange rs first il
might appear. The politicians at Washing
ton are only too evidently helping the sece-
ders to attain their eud. We do not mean the
President of course who is not TO be sup
posed capable of knowingly pursuing any
policy other than that openly ayowed by him
aud in conformity with his supreme obliga-
ton TO maintain the Constitution. Nor do
we think that the Republicans in Congress, as
party, mean anything of the sort. But zoe
do beleUe that there are only too many IN Con-
greSS Who are resolved thai The Union shall no,
be restored, II they can preUent il, and that men
in high Office at Washington fully sgmpathize
ruth them. The motive is a plain one. They
have brought things into such state, that
restored Union would be TO them constant
reproach, TO say nothing Of the insignihcance
to which it would consign them.
They thus force measures through Congress,
which must inevitably prove insuperable OBJ
stacles to the return Of the South to the Union.
We have heretofore expressed our opinions ia
regard to the emancipation act for the District
of Columbia for which, we doubt not, many
voted without full appreciation Of its evil con-
sequences; and even that might eventually
find q remedy, were other things agreeable,
IN the judicial disposition which would pro-
badly be made Of the question. BIT for men
10 talk about restoring he Union, wheR hey are
passing acts Of cogascdtioR and omld,cry against
those whom they profess 10 desire 10 bring back 10
Me Union, is so singular mode Of c6ecting he
object that ace can only repen 10 The other theory
namely that these politicians mean 20 prepent, not
10 bring about, he future union Of The States.
In this view only is their action to be ac-
counted for; and we fear there is only too
much reason TO believe that they will be sue
cessful, and that By their means the loosened
bonds Of the Union will become completely
discovered. There was much reasonable hope
for the country, when Congress came togeth-
er but they are fast falsifying every fair pro-
fession made by themselves, at an earlier day,
and are rapidly going on TO complete the ruin
of their country.