American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1862-12-19
(From the Richmond Dispatch.1
Le French Proposition of Mediation


The reply of Lord Russell TO the
French proposition OF mediation confirms
what we have often taken occasion to re-
mark, that the present Government OF
Great Britain is The most deadly enemy
we have in all Europe. Ii is believed
that this is not the first time the Emperor
of France has proposed joint mediation
to the ministry of Lord PaImerston. A
similar proposition was made last winter,
when Lord Russell met il by the prom
ise OF Seward to subdue the South, and
send plenty of cotton in sixty days. As
the cotton 10 b. sent was TO be first taken
by violence and without payment, from
Southern planters. the proposal amounted
to gratuitous and giaring insult. since
il placed Great Britain in the attitude OF
a receiver of stolen goods. But Lord
Russell had neither the brains nor the
heart TO receive il such. but actually
presented it to the French Emperor as
reason for not offereng mediation at
that time.
Some of our contemporaries seem TO
think that the rejection of the Enperor's
proposal will lead to the overthrow of
the Palmerslon Ministry We do not coin
eide in this opinion. We have seen very
few indications of any desire on the part
of the British people to change the re-
lations now existing between that country
and The Confederate States. Indeed.
they are utterly ignorant of the true
character of the war in which we are en-
gagged, and so far from recognizing it as
struggle between two powerful nations.
they evidently regard it as nothing more
than rebellion on our side This is
proved by the speech of Mr.. Gladstone.
who told his hearers that President
Davis had "made nation" evidently
not understanding the nature Of the Con
stitution of the old United States. and
not perceiving that every one of the
States united by it was an independent
nation.
As rebellion, then, the English peo-
pie regard it. and towards US as rebels
they have shown some sympathy. and
not little admiration. But they have
contented themselves with patting US on
the back as they might do favorie dog
and have not shown the slightest di~po-
sition to part us. 1t has been sport for
them. and they would by all means see
/ il fought out.
The French Emperor would gladly
put an end to the war bat he is bound
t by England by engagements which would
be announcement to break through.
/ He neither will. nor can consistently
with policy interfere without her. and
her consent he will never get. II is fol
the interest of Great Britain that We
should cut each others throats until MOI
man be left on either side, if such a
consummation were possible. Such, a
least, Lord Russell thinks it is her inter
est. That he is man of the smallest
calibre, we think no man who has ever
read his compilation of the Holland pa
pers, and his life of Moore. will be dis
posed to deny If it be objected tha
the Duke of Wellington once said "Lcrd
John Russell is host in himself" i
must be remembered that he said nearly
the same thing of Sir Hudson Lowe. AND
that he praised Talleyrand as one of the
most upright men in Europe. Whatever
may be the disposition of the French
Emperor, he will never act without the
concurrence of the English Government
and that he will never get while Pal
merston is premier, and Lord Russell
Foreign Secretary.
The reply of lord Russell is character
istic enough. He fears that PROPOSE
ton like that indicated by France NIGH
not be realized at Washington. There
/ it is. He is afraid of offending Lincoln
and Seward This is the bugbear tha
has haunted him throughout the war
It is manifest that he stands TO morta
terror of the Yankees. and the debate:
in Parliament last session showed tina
be was not alone in his fears. OIhei
members expressed direful apprehension,
about Canada, and the Yankees taking
the hint. are open mouthed in express
/ ing their determination 10 seize it. a.
soon as they shall have crushed tn,
unnatural rebellion 1t is pity sucf
nation as that of Great Britain canno
find somebody better than two old sep
ltuagentrians to put at the head of thei
Government.
Let our people be satisfied. They ar,
not going to be recognized by any Euro
pean Government until they establish
their own independence by hard fighting
/ If any such Government be so disposed
England will prevent If she possibly can
| That Government is hand and glove will
i the Yankees. and Seward is as powerful
/ at ST. James as he is in Washington
As for England itself. ii is far more prob
able that she. will join the Yankees il
expressing us than that she will recog
nize our Independence She is in tn
hands of small men and those small me,
are in the last extremity of old age
i iriveIlers and doiards-from whom it
vain to expect liberal or manly policy
Interest, fear and sensibility are al
j against US.
Shoes with wooden soles are being made i
Mobile. They are said TO be fully as light a
those entirely of leather, and made with
neatness equal to that Of the ordinary fabric
They can be furnished for aboat one third tn
cost of similar grade of all leather shoes.