The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-06-04
Imnortant Developments.
We find in the PcayuDe the following cores

some speculation On tiS Pait VI VIZ P'A''+0f -
nothing like what It's extraordinary character
would nave justified, among people more skilled
in state craft than ours. Such an event could
> nor have occurred under the circumstances IN
rope, without absorbing the attention OF all
the cabinet, and leading to immediate explana-
tons on the part Of those engaged. suppose.
for instance, Ireland i'll state OF rebellion, and
the French minister at st. James visiting the
headquarters of the insurgents in the midst OF the
fiay Would not England know why lie went,
at all events before he returned and resumed
bis amicab,e relation TO the English government
The speculatiOns OF your contemporaries on NJ.
Mercier's visit have SO far, been extremely SUI
perfciaI and absurd. His mission had far
deeper import than any one has yet publicly in
Dictated, and it is well TO let the people have
correct idea of it, that they may be prepared to
meet the political necessity Of their position
And, first, NJ. MERCER did not visit Richmond
to look after the French governments tobacco,
for he is not commercial agent, buta diplomatst,
Secondly, Mr. MERCER did not 90 10 Richmond
in the interest of the rebels lie could not, as an
honorable man, have gone through the Union lines
on a mission unfriendly to the Union; and he could
not, as the representative ofan honorable govern
ment remain at Washington, plotting adversely
| to he government to which he is accred ted
Then what did tie French minister 60 TO
Richmond for? The answer is this: To assure
the rebels that the emperor Of the French does
! not recognise them power among the nations;
that England and France, by recognising them
as begereuts, did all that could BE- expected on
the part of neutral governments; that the block
AIDE of theirports is eHectua; that they are fairly
beaten in arms and their independence as nation
impossible; that 4 continuance OF hostlllties, by
! the threatened destruction OF the cotton and
tobacco crops OF their citizens, w0ald only be
wdnton injury to the commerce Of the world
mjurng France and England even more than the
United States; and should they resort to guerrilla
warfare, as proposed, when their armies are de-
stroyed, would degrade society, and be simply
return 10 barbirism.
The rebels have been admonished therefore,
that cessation OF hostiiites is duty they owe
TO themselves and to the world, which all ciVilised
nations will unite in requiring OF them.
At the same time, 10 save their honor and
their existence as a free people, the French EN-
peror has assured them that cIyilised Europe will
not approve the enforcement OF any hard terms
on them by the United States; that their society
shall not be disorgaBlsed; their industry shall
not be oVerthrown; their families shall not be /
impoverished by general and indiscriuinate con
hscatIons OF their property, and that Mr.. Lin
coins administration viii be held to a faithful
observance of the programme with which he I
appealed to Europe for orbearance at the out
break of the rebellion, TO wit A restoration OF
the Union on the basis of the constitution, with
the inherent rights Of all the States preserved.
The adoption by congress OF Mr. LinconS
policy of voluntary and gradual emancipation by
the slave States themselves with the cooperation
Of the national government, satisfies the con
science of European governments, and the iuI-
mediate overthrow ofthe institutions Of the south,
by national power is condemned on the same
grounds as they condemn the destruction of tie
present crops OF cotton and tobIcco by the rebels
themselves. 1t is contrary to the highest interests
of commerce. civilisat0n and true philanthropy.
That NJ. MERCER would not make an import ut
communication TO the rebel Coutede2aey without
instruction Of the emperor is certain. That the
emperor would not have such communication
made without the knowledge and consent OF the
president and Mr.. Slward is also certain. Il
follows that the mission Of ~ Mercier to the
Confederate government is a voluntary fort OF
the emperor OF the French for the restoration
Of the Union, on the basis laid down by the
president and Mr.. Seward, and glorouslY yindi-
Gated by the armies Of the Union The presi-
dent could not but consent and approve Of N.
Merciers communication, because it involved no
trmistiees on our part, 10 abatement of the de- .
uands OF the United States government for the
unconditional submission of the rebellion bur I
sustained the president in his defence of the
constitution and the Union in their original
spirit, letter and integrity J
When ii. Mercier returned from making his {
AT Richmond, most siguifcau, d
events followed, when borne TO Washington on d
/ French war vessel, the deck of which is the .
soil OF France" THIS is the first time in his I
DRY OF the close meeting OF the two sovereign
les. The president and Mr.. Seward received {
u, Mereier at the navy ward, on bis approach to |
he capta-a distinguished houor-and when
he president stepped on the deck Of the Gas
endi he was welcomed by a salute ecu / in
oHor to that accorded to the emperor. That
vas not tribute to the head OF a dsmcmbared u
ountrg, but to the chosen ruler OF one Of the o
irst powers of the world, tried in the crucble of
var and found triumphant. Within day ortvo
tJer tie retDrn to Washington, the AMBASSADOR of Z
rance IS entelt'ned at dinner IN noble style bv !.
lie secretary OF State; the president and his pre- y
ner exhibit that remarkable serenitywhich saws Il
0 all the world, 1--WE are masters fthe position u
On the other hand, the visit OF NJ Mercier to Q
richmond Is followed by disaster and dsinay for u
ne rebels Their congress aiourns precipi.ately, =,
'aWn5 numerous communications from jeff
lavls, whom they call their president" anoDeD-
on their table They adjourn when the fate re
their rebellion, for veal or woe, is within two il
oeks Of final decision. They leave in such
aud haste that the rebel papers of
.chmoRd mock them for towards and furitiyes
lat viii never return. The next result is the h
oandonment OF Yorktown by generals Lee and b
Q. Johnston, the best point for defence in the t
outheFn Contedercy, aud the retreat, in tumult
M disorder, OF the best army that JEFF Davis te
rs had III the field The reason is they are pl