The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-12-09
PARIS. Oct. 90 1895

81 PARIS, Oct 80 1862.
Europe watches with painful Interest
the struggle which has been raging NOR,
than year upon the American continent
The hostilities have provoked sacrifices
and efforts certainly of a nature TO inspirt
the highest idea of the perseverance and
energy OF two populations. But this
spectacle, which does so much hono- "a
their courage, is only given at the price
of numberless calamities, and a prodi-
gious ehusion of blood.
To these results of civil war. which
from the very first assumed vast propor-
tons, there is still TO be added apprehen
sions of a servile war, which would be
the eliminating point of so many ire
parable disasters. The sufferings of a
nation towards which we have always
protested sincere friendship would have
sutiiced to excite the sincere solicitude of
the Emperor, even had wo ourselves not
suffered by the counter blow of these
events. Under the influence of the init :
mate relations which extensive inter-
course has multiplied between the various
regions of the globe, Europe, itself has
suffered from the consequences of the
crisis which has dried up one of the most
fruitful sources of public wealth, and
which has become, for the great centres
OF labor, the cause of most sad trials.
as you are aware, when the conflict
commenced, we held it our duty to OBJ
serve the most strict neutrality. in con-
cert with the other maritime DO wers. and
the Washington Cabinet repeatedly ao-
knowledged the honorable manner n
which we adhered to that line of con-
duct. The sentiments dictated 10 us
have undergone no change but of n hen
eyolent character. That neutrality, in
stead of imposing upon the Powers the
attitude which might resemble indiffer-
ence, ought rather to make them of SER
vice to the two parties, by helping them
out OF Q position which seems to have no.
ISSUE From the commencement of The
war an armed force was set on foot nv
the belligerents, which since then has al
most constantly been kept up. After so
much bloodshed, they are now in that re-
spect nearly In the same position, NTH
ing authorizing the presumption that
more decisive military operations will
shortly occur, according TO the last news
received in Europe. The two armies. on
The contrary, were in condition that
would not allow either party to hone
within brief delay for any decided adj
vantage to turn the balance, and acceler-
ate the conclusion of peace.
All these circumstances taken togetber
point to. the opportunity of an armistice "a
which, moreover, under the present cir
cumstances, no strategical objection can
be made. The favorable disposition 10 :
words peace which are beginning to man
nest themselves in the North as we'll as
In the South might, on the other hand
second steps that might be made 10 re
the idea of a truce. The Em-
peror has, therefore, thought that the oo-
casion has present itself of Offering 10 the
beiligerents the support of the good off. |
ces of the maritime Powers, and his Ma. |
Iesty has charged me TO make the pro-
position of this Government TO her Bril- |
fannie Majesty, as well as the Court of
Russia, that the three Cabinets would |
exert their influence at Washington. as
well as with the Confederates. 70 obtain |
an armistic for six months, during which |
every act of war, direct or indirect |
should Professionally cease, on sea as we'll
as on land, and il might be, if necessary.
prolonged. The overtures. i |
need not say, sir, would not imply on
our part any judgment on the origin of
the issue of the struggle, nor any pres
sure upon the negotiations which might, |
u IS hoped, ensue in favor of an armistic. |
Our task would consist solely in smooth |
ing down obstacles, and interfering onIv
in a measure determined upon by the |
two parties.
We should not, in fact, believe our
selves called upon to decide, but TO pre- |
pare, solution of the difficulties which |
hitherto have opposed reconciliation
between the belligerent parties.
Would not moreover an agreement be-
tween the three Courts respond suffi-
GENTLY to their intentions? Would il
not give to their step character of evil
dent impartiallity Acting in concert |
they would combine the conditions best
suited to inspire confidence, the Govern
ment of the Emperor, by the constant
of the French policy towards
the United States; England, by the com. |
munity of race; Russia, by the marks of |
friendship she never ceased TO show TO |
the Washington Cabinet. Should The |
event not justify the hope of the three |
Powers, and should the ardor of the
struggle .oyerEule the wisdom of their
councils, this attempt would not be the
less honorable for them. They would
have fulfilled the duty of humanity. more
especially indicated in the war in which
the excited passions which render all
direct attempts at negotiation more diff
cult IL is mission which international
law assigns TO neutrals, at the same time
that II proscribes 10 lhema strict impair
TALLY, and they could never make a
nobler use Of their influence than by
endeayonng 10 put an end to the struggle
which cause so much suffering, and com
promises such great interests throughout
the whole world.
Finally, even without any immediate