Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-01-13
The Anglo p American COnGIct-The Moral
Support of France. DC

To the love which shall never fail. MARY
The Anglo "A merican COnfIct.-The Moral
support of France, DC.
From the Opinion Rationale of Dec 49,
When it was first belle led that the arrest of
the southern commissioners might produce
difficulties of serious nature between Eng
lanu ana America, the great majority of the
French Journals seemed to understand that if
events should assume graver attitude neu.
traty would be for France the only true DO
sition.
A few Journals, however, departing from the
general sentiment, and considering themselves
inspired exclusively by the interest of our cot
ton manufactures, spoke OF an alliance between
France aud England, but the unuelconie reception
Whlch they encountered in public opinion led them
quickly 10 more Just appreciation of the true in
te'eSt Of France, and after some tergiverSations,
more or less diSSembied they hare a17i0ed again 6q
a re-enterang cm0e at that programme OF neu-
trality which was the first instructive CRY OF
surprised opinion
But such situation was too simple too rea
sonabe to last II is repeated some days al
terward, it returns TO us from the English Jour.
mails, and the French journals which receive or
formerly did receive condolences, affirm that
France, without yet departing from her neu-
trallty, sustalns England and gives her its
"mOral" support.
The first result of that moral support would
be the recognition of the legitimacy OF Eng-
lands griefs the second the recognition Of
the southern states and the moral institution
OF slavery the third might perhaps be to en-
gage us actively in the quarrel aud TO cause
rupture between France aud the United
States
AS to the legitimacy of the griefs of Eng
land, it should be observed that according 10
the principles settled in the congress of Paris,
'the neutral flag covers the enemyS goods,
with the exception of contrabaud of war"
Now the question whether two diplomatic
agents going TO Europe to raise up adversaries
against one OF the belligerents, carrying hostile
dispatches and accompanied by colonel, are
as formidable as bullets and powder, and con,
stitute what is called "contraband OF war
the question is at least open to argument
Let England, who seeks war, waiting merely
tor a pretext, solve the problem, if she will, in
twenty tour hours. But we, what strange
precipitation, what feverishness to mix in that
which does not concern us; what interest, in
snort, can compel us to take part and prOtfer
advice when no one has asked?
Had France decided in the outset to assume
this attitude of moral hostility toward the
northern states Of America, she would not
have stopped there. She would not have
done this without the d1riere penSee of recog.
HlZluS oOullItTl CODlGuefdcg us soon
England had raised the blockade We know
that the interests OF our cotton spinners is set
up as justification of the measure but we
have already remarked that it is not necessary
to recognize the south to obtain cotton; that
IT the southern ports are opened they will be
opened for all the world; and that il is per.
tectly useless for us TO compromise ourselves
towards the north TO arrive at result equally
acquired 10 all the nations Of the earth. Let
lis add that the recognition of the south is the
recognition Of slavery, and that it is a sad role
for us TO play. Although the noisy philan-
thIopy OF England halt solemnly apps tatized
at the feet Of King Cotton, this does not
much surprise or annoy us. But that France
without pretext, without excuse, and without
obJect-shOuld constitute herself in this sad
ceremony the train bearer of England, it is
this which affiicts and profoundly humiliates
us. Besides, why should we throw ourselves
into this civil war Can it be answered in
view OF the incredible intensity which popular
passion has attained on the other side of the
Atlantic that war will be the result of such
an intervention We see our adversaries
bridlng up, and haughlily declaring that
France does not fear war. As for us we
frankly confess that we are not so intrepid
We should dread prodigiOusly useless, mex
cusable war, which would be a scandal to good
sense and the overturning of the most ele-
mentHy lucas OI our national policy. Let us
figure 10 ourselves France marching gailv To
the aid OF England in the destruction of the
only marine in the world which can act as a
counlerpoise against the naval superiority of
England. This would be monstrous absurd.
ily, treason against the traditional policy of
France. Louis Philippe, who has been, with
justice, accused Of weakness, would never
have done anything to be compared to this.
But it is said we have not reached that point.
1t is true we have not yet, but we are verging
toward it. II tendencies which are indicated
to us are true, we are placing ourselves on the
slope Can we not easily slide TO the bottom
We must say that such policy would not
much resemble the wise conduct of the en-
peror, when, after the taking of Sebastopo,
content with having done justice, he conclud
ed peace and refused to lend his aid to Eng
land, who was impatient to go to Cronstadt
and burn what was left of the Russian navy.
This remembrance should reassure us, and
should not permit us to believe that sove-
reign so enlightened, so careful OF the great
interests OF France, will allow himself to be
embloiled IN policy fraught with danger and
IN which the most which we could hope for
would be to avoid the false steps which might
easily prove fatal
Besides, why should we dissemble our real
thought-why hide the bottom of our heart
France mas but one enemy in the word-that
enemy is England. No; we mistake-it is the
aristocracy OF England. The English aristoe
racy Tor twenty-five years subsidized Europe
against us, 1t twice led the coalition nnder
the walls of Paris 1t caused the death Of Ma