, 1862-12-02


The Peri5 Ratrie, OF the 10tr, asserts that
an attempt at mediation in America has been
projected by France and Russia, and has been
submitted to England, with . view to the
joint action Ct the three powers. This jour
nal further states that this proposition,
Eliminating from France, and Immediately
accepted by Russia" con.e.np1ates an armis-
lice Tor six mcnths, and the suspension OF all
operations by sea or by land during this
period.
Wtereupon The London 1imes Of the E,th
u1t., saya:
Our information Is not to the same effect as
that Of our French contemporary, and we are
nos Convinced that The government Of st.
Petersburg is prepared to 20 with France into
tie very dangerous and Tar drifting policy Of
American mediation.
Russia has no special interest in this ques.
| tion. She wants no cotton; her great staple
| is flax, aud she Is Is ther benefited by the
| scarcity Of cotton in the markets Of tile
world.
What does France desire that Europa
| should PROPOSE to these belligefcnts? What
htpe can VIC have that the Federal govern
melt would submit to . suspension Of arms
b: Eea and land tor SIX months? Such an
nient 70 the South. very convenient to Eng
/ lard, end very convenient to .Frauce. The
| South, relieved from the blockade Of their
| coaet, would be able to exchange their noW
Valnel.ss millions Of cotton hales for sugar,
salt. tea, cufee, calico, broadcloth. leather,
and every other article not contrahand Of war,
under the want of which they now 80 des-
rerately suff4r. England would be able TO
Get her mills to work. France would recover
her lost customers for her silks and wine; and
cotton which she now buys through US at
4 fabulous prices. Both the +med1ato.s would
find tleir account in such mediation.
But what would the North get By it, To
her it would be request to allow Us to tie up
her right arm. We are to ask her to allow
;les enemies to reproyi.ion themselves, aud
TO restore their crrdit by the export OF their
cctlon: and We are to ask her st tue same
| time to cut herself off from her most promis-
ing field Of operations for a whole year Tho
eeason tcr tie employment of the Northern
| guDboat6 is abb ut to recon1me1ce; the
String sill bring the possibility Of second
invasion Of the South. Yet we are to ask the
North to foreso their best opportunities, and
to remain inactive I'LL the heats Of summer
Is assindaiEe their armies northward aud render
1 tic banks Of the nyer Inaccessible to their
gunbos1e. Il tho North is determine to make
peace ard is anxious only for On excuse, then,
indeed, this or any other mediation Non1d be
kfeasible+ But there is no evidence that the
[>shEgg1e is set arrived at that point. If nc
, | 20 intoahis F=aster as = European league, and
aEaN upon ourselves Insult. we shall be COM
I PEELED to vi1dicate our honor. We cannot
back out under such circumstances, and We
cannot tel how far events may Garry rs.
: Ali this and much more has to be consider
} ed, and we hope will be very carefully con.
sidsred before ne join any league such as that
nov proposed. At present We are quite free,
S and We hare done Eo harm. Tomorrow We
may be closely bound and may do no good.
!, OF course, 20 one can tell what private 1HfDr
Il ma1ion our government may hare recefvsd
c but re carnol Fee any public ground tor grea
expectsticns Of immediate results. It tht
: Moth arc ready to give up their blockade
' they would undoubtedly rather give it up tu
!, | France and Russia in conjunction with. u:
,1la1 10 US alone; but if they are to be torcet
= to give it up, we hope &c seau rot be oae Q
the pa1ty which is to compel them. Thit
French note is matter for serious considera
ton, but We caCnor think that it offers au,
good ground for eeEgune expectation of Al
: !n,1uecja.e return OF prosperity to our u,auu
9 fsc:u.es, or Of the sudden resumption Of GU
e old commercial intercourse Rita the two na
> tioLs which once formed tic United States.