Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-08
IMPORTANT pEvELoPMRNTs.
The Cause OF the Visit or the French
Minister 10 the Rebel Capital.


The Cause OF tho Visit OF the French
Minister TO the Rebel Capital.
THE REBEL LEADERS WARNED THAT THEY
MUST STOP THE REBELLION.
Especial Dispatch to the N. Y. Timss)
WASHINGTON, Monday, May 5.
The recent visit of the Frunch Minister
to Richmond has occasioned some specu-
lation on the part of the public, but moth.
ing like what its extraordinary character
would have justified, among a people
more skilled in Statecraft than ours
Such an event could not have occurred
under like kecircumstances in Europe, with.
out absorbing the attention of all the
Cabinets, and leading to immediate ex-
plantations on the part of those engaged.
Suppose, for instance, Ireland in state
of rebellion, and the French Minister ut
St James visiting the headquarters OF
the insurgents in the midst of the fray
Would mot England know why he went,
at all events, before he returned and re-
sumed his amicable relation to the Gov
ernnent? @
The spechlatiOns of your cotemporaries
on NJ. s.. Mercier's visit have, SO far, been
extremely superficial and absurd. His
mission had far deeper import than any
one has yet publicly indicated; and it is
well to let the people have correct idea
of it, that they may be prepared to meet
the political necessities of their positions.
And first, NJ. Mercier did not visit Rich
mond to look after the French Govern
ments tobacco, for he is not a CONNER
cial agent, but q diplomatist
Secondly, NJ. Mercier did not go to
Richmond,in the interest Of the rebels
He could not, as an honorable man, have
gone through the Union lines on mis-
sion unfriendly to the Union; and he
could not, as the representative ofan hon
orable Government, remain at Washing
ton plotting adversely to the Government
to which he is accredited. ...-,.
Then what did the French Minister go
to Richmond for? The answer is this /:
To assure the rebels that the Emperor of
the French does not recognize them as a
Power among the nations; that England
and France, by recognizing them as bel
ligerents, did all that could be expected
on the part of neutral Governments; that
the blockade Of their ports is eftectual;
that they are fairly beaten in arms, and
their independence as nation impossi-
BILE; that continuance of hostilities, by
the threatened destruction of the cotton
and tobacco crops of their citizens, would
only be wanton injury to the commerce
of the world, injuring France and Eng
land even more than the United States;
and that n resort to guerrilla warfare, as
proposed, when their armies are destroy
ed, would demOralize society, and be SIM
ply q return to barbarism. .ua
The rebels have been admonished, there
fore, that cessation of hoSttLities is duty
they 0tOe to themselUes aud to the porld,
which all civilized nations will unite in re-
quiring of them.
AT the same time, to save their honor
and their existence as a free people. the
French Emperor has assured them that
civilized Europe will not approve the en-
fOrcement of any hard terms on them by
the United States; that their society shall
not be disOrganized, their industry shall
not be oyerthrown; their families shall not
be impoverished by general and indis-
criminate cnnfiscations of their property ;
and that Mr.. Lincoln's Administration will
be held to a faithful observance of the
programme with which he appealed to
Europe for forbearance ut the outbreak of
the rebellion, to wit: A TeStordtionpf the
/ Union on the basis Of the ConstitutioB, tOith
| the inherent rights Of al the States fTeserp-
ed. III
The adoption BY Congress of Mr.. Linz
coln,s- policy of voluntary and gradual
emancipation by /. the slave States 1hems
selves, With the cooperation Iofi the Ma
tional Government, satisfies the conscience
of European Governments, and the imme-
diate overthrow of the Institutions of the
South by National power Is condemned on
the same grounds as they condemn the
destruction Of the present crops OF cotton
and tobacco by the rebels themselves
1t is contrary TO the higher interests OF
commerce, civilization and true philan-
/ That NJ. Mercier would not make an
i important communication to the rebel
| Confederacy without instruction Of the
4 Emperor is certain. That the Emperor
would not have such Communication made
1 without the knowledge. and consent Of tht
President aud Mr.. Seward Is also certain
/ 1t follows, that the mission Of AZ. Mefciel
to the Confederate Government is a volun'
tary effortiof the Emperor of the French
for the restoration OF the Union, on The
basis laid down by the President; and Mr.
Seward, and gloriously Yindicated1by thi
4 armies of the Union. The PEesiden
could not but consent and approve Of N
MercieFs communication, because 1t inYol
4 we'd no armistice on our part, no abate
4 meut of the demands of the United State
Government for the unconditional submis
sion Of the rebellion. but sustained tn
President in his defence Of the Cohstitu
tion aud Union 10 their original spirit, let
ter aud integrity, z'i =. -. - Y
When NJ. Mercier returned from ma
king his communication at Richmon'
most significant events followed. HeWa
borne 70 Washingto on q French Wal
vessel, the decktof which is the 'soil Q
France" This is the first time in histor