, 1862-05-08
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1862.
What He Told the Rebels at Rich
m0nd,
he Councils Submission and Offers
Friendly Mediation.

4At 1ECSuL F1siL GI Lue french 3l1115Lef 10
Richmond has oceasioned some speculation
on the part Of the public, but nothing like
what its extraordinary character would hare
justified among people more skilled in State
craft than ours. Such an event could not
hare occurred under like circumstances, in
all the Cabinet, and leading to imme--
diate explanations on the part of those en-
gagged. Suppose, for instance, Ireland in a
state OF rebellion, and the French Minister at
St. Jamcs's visiting the headquarters of the
insurgents IN the midst of the fray. Would
not England know Why he went, at all events.
before he returned and resumed his amicable
relation to the English Government?
The speculationE Of your cotemporarics on
n, Mercier's visit hare, 80 far, been extreme
y superficial aud absurd. His mission had a
jar deeper import than any one has yet pub
UGLY indicated, and it Is well to let the people
caFe correct idea Of it, that they may be
prepared to meet the political necessities Of
their position.
And first, II. Mcrc1er did not visit Rich
fnond to look after the French Governments
tobacco, for he is not q commercial agent, but
q diplomatist.
Secondly, II. Mercier did not 90 to Rich
mond IN the interest of the rebels. He could
not, as IN honorable man, have gone through
the Union lines on mission uufriendIy 10
the Union; and he could not, as the rcpresen-
taf1ye Of an honorable Government, remain
ernment to which he is accredited.
Iile rebels have been aduaonished, there
fore, that cessation Of Iosti;ties is dltv k6eu
ome to hez,tstltes and to tie zcor7d, which a civ
ilizcd nations will unite In requiring Of them.
At the same time, to save their honor and
existence as q free people, the French E1n-
peror has assured them that civilized Europe
will not approve the enforcement Of any hard
terms on them by the United States; that
their society shall not be disorsauized, their
industry shall not be oyerthrown, their Elrni-
aes eha shall not 9s5s be Impoverished By gener
their property; and that Mr. Lineoln's
Administration will be held to faithful OBJ
scr7ance OF the programme with which be
appealed to Europe for forbeaFance at the
outbreak Of the rebellion to wit: i rcstorl-
non OF the Union on the basis of the Consti-
States preserved.
Then what did the French Minister 20 to
klch1nond for? The answer is this: To as
sure the rebels that the Emperor of the French
does not recognize them as q Power among
tue nations; that England and France, by r.
cognizIng them as bell'serents, did al that
could be expected on the part Of neutral
Governments; that the blockade of their ports
Is Cfeetual; that they are fairly beaten in arms,
and their Independence as q nation imppssi-
ble; that continuance OF hostilities, by the
threatened destruction Of the cotton and TO-
oe@Neo ~ VI tNE4I G1LIEEHA. pDif be q
Wanton injury to the commerce OF the world,
in]uIlpg France and England even more than
tue United States; and that resort TO rucr-
rllla warfare, as proposed, when their armies
are destroyed. would denioralize society, aud
be simply return to barbarism.
Ihc adoption By Congress Of Mr.. Li1coln's
policJ o. voluntary and gradual cmaneipation
by the slave States themselves, with tic CO.
operation of the National Government, salts
ties the conscience Of European Governments.
and the immediate overthrow Of the institu.
lions OF the South by National power is con
demned cn TIE same grounds as they condemn
he destruction Of the present crops Of cotton
and tobacco By the rebels themselves. It i
contrary to the highest interests ofcommcrce.
civilization and true philanthropy.
mat IL. Aiercler would uot make an imDor.
tant communication to the rebel Confedera CT
without instruction Of the Emperor is Ger,
tain That the Emperor would not have such
communication made without the knowledge
and consent Of the President and Mr. Seward
| is also certain. 1t follows, that the mission
| OF 81. Mcrcier to the Confederate Government
Is voluntary effort of the Emperor OF the
tfench Tor the restoration of the Union, on
| the basis laid down bv the President and Mr
! Seward, ard glorious1y yindicated bY the ar
| mics OF the Onion. Tie President could not
| but consent and approve Of If. Merciar'.
| communication, because it involved uo armfs
t tce on our part, no abatement Of the de-
| mands OF the United States Government fol
| the unconditional submission of the rebellion
| but sustained the President il his defence q
| the Constitution and Union in their orieina
| spirit, letter and integrity.
| Hhtn III. Aiercler returned from making hi
communication at Richmond, most signif
cant events followed. He was borne te
Washington on q French war-ycsscl, the deck
| Of which is the soil Of France.' This is The
iret time in history Of the close meeting O.
the two eovercignties The President and Nr
Seward received II. Mercier at tile Navv
yard, on his approach to the capital disti1.
| s5u!shed honor-a1d when the President step
ped on the deck Of the GasGendl, he was vel
corded to the Emperor. That VAS not trib
ute to the head Of dismembered country
but to the chosen ruler Of one Of the 6rsi
Powers Of the world, tried in the crlcible o
VAT and found triumphant. Within day o.
tWo aiter t1e return to Washington, the Am
bassador Of Fanee is entertained at dinner il
| noble style By the Secretary Of State. and tht
PRESIDENT and his Premier exhibit that re
markable serenity which says to all the world
we are masters OF the Position
IN the other hand the visit Of II. Merce
to Rlchmona is followed By disaster aud dis
preeipitately, leaving numerous communi
cations from JEFF: Davis, whom ther cal
! their President" unopened on their tab1c
They adjourn when the fate of their rebel
lion, for veal Or voc, is within two week.
OF final decision. They leave in such con
mond mock them for towards and fugitive
that ELL never return. The next result is th
abandonment Of Yorktown By Gems. Lee an,
10. Johnston, the best point for defense ia th
Southern Con1ederacy, and the retreat, in tn
mutt and disorder, Of the best army that JEFF
!} Paws has had in the field; The reason is
they are hopeless and demor41izcd. They hay
no future, and cannot fight except for til
mere relief of escaping the shame Of discom
future in death,
On the dispersion OF the armies of Gems. Je
Johnston and Beauregard, which jeff Dlyi
can neither accelerate nor prevent; for he is n
longer the shadow Of Power-thc rcbe
lion will be ended, and the Union II
stored on tho basis originally present.
ed By President Lincoln, and enforced O
the insurgents By the French Goycrnmer
as 3 political and international nccessit,
INC war viii cease; Southern industry wi
nos be overtlrowu, but gradually regener;
ted; the present cotton crop, and increase
future crops, will enrich the commerce an
manufactures Of the United States and th
world. and France will share in the glorg
the achievement.
Each ho1r Of the immediate future, as
comes, will but reveal new confirmation I
this reading Of the Statecraft which is closir
the rebellion, and so settling it as to lelve
ie~ tracts OF Its existence as possible in II
future domestic and foreign relations of tt
National Union
The Flag of the Confcderacy.
We hasten to give the new rebel flag, lest
lew days it may be too late-au use for 1t b
Ing past The flag is the authoritative pr
, duction Of the Confederate Congress that. le
Richmond so suddenly, and hiss been du
christened in the Richmond organs. It Is
| fellows: