Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-09
From, the New York Times.
Important Developments.

The Cause ofthe Visit of the French Minister 10
the Rebel Capital-The Rebel Leaders Warned
that they must stop the Rebeilion-The Dcsfruc-
ton Of Cotton and Tobacco Discountenanced-
Guerrilia Fighting Reprshended as a return TO
B1rbariSm-The Union TO be Restored on the
Basis of the Constitution.
WASHINGTON Monday, May B.
The recent visit OF the French Minister to
Richmond has Occasioned some speculation on
the part of the public, but nothing like what its
extraordinary character would have justified,
among people more skilled in Statecrsit than
ours. Such an event could not have occurred
under like circumstances in Europe without alb
sorbing the attention of all the Cabinets and
leading to immediate explanations on the part of
those engaged. Suppose, for instance, Ireland
in a state of rebellion, and the French Minister
at ST James, visiting the headquarters of the
insurgents in the mids, of the fray. Would not
England know why he went, at all events before
he returned and renewed his amicable relation to
the English Government?
The specuatons OF your contemporaries on NJ
Merciers visit have, far, been extremely
pericial and absurd His mission had IA far
deeper import than any one has vet publicly
indicated and it is well To let the people have
"A correct idea of it. that they may be prcpar-
ed To meet the political necessities of their po-
sit.On.
And first, NJ Mercier did not visit Richmond
to look after the French Governments tobac-
CO, for he is not commercial agent, but di-
pomatst-
Secondly NJ MERCER did not 90 to Richmond
in the interest OF the rebels Tie could not, as an
honorable man, have gone through the lines on
a mission uniriendly TO the Union: aud he could
not the representative of an honorable Gov
eminent remain at Washington plotting adverse
ly To the Government to which he Is accredited
Then what did the French Minister 90 To
Richmond forG The answer is this: To assure
the rebels that the Emperor of the French does
not recognize them a Power among the ma
tions; that England and France, by recognizing
them a beiiigerentS, did all that could he expe
ted on the part Of neutral Governments; that the
blockade of their ports i eiiectua, that they are
fairly beaten Ia arms and their Independence as
nation impossible; that "a continuance OF hos
tii;.e,, by the threatened destruction of the cot
ton and tobacco crops of their citizens, would
only be wantOn injury To the commerce OF the
world. njuring France and England even more
than the United States; and that resort 20 guer-
Tilla warfare, proposed, when their armies are
DESTROYED. would demorllize society. and be sim
ply return To barbarism.
The rebels have been admOnished. therefore,
that cessation Of hostlities IS duty they owe to
themselves and TO the world. which all civilized
AZ the same time. TO their honor and
their existence Is a tree people, the French En-
peror has assured them that civilized Europe will
not approve the Enforcement OF any hard terms on
them by the nited States that their society shall
not toe 6i>organzed. their industry shall not be
overthrow; their families shall not be impOver
ishei bv general aud indiscrimiuate conii>cation
of their property; aud that Mr. Lincolus admins
trttion will be held 70 faithful observance of
the programme with which he appealed to Europe
Tor toTbelrance at the outbreak Of the rebellion.
to-wit:
a restoration of the Uuior on the basis ofthe
Constitution with the inherent rights of all the
States preserved"
The adoption by Congress of Mr.. Licoln's
policy OF gradual and voluntary emancipation by
the slave States themselves. With the co-opera-
ton ct the National Government. satisfies the
eonsciencies OF European Governments and the
immediate overthrow of the Institutions of the
South BY national power is condemned on the
same grounds they condemn the destruction
OF the present crops OF cotton and tobacco by the
rebels themselves. IL is contrary to the highest
interests Of commerce, civilization ami true phi
lnthropy.
That u Mercier would not make an imnortant
communication 10 the rebel Conteieracy 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.. Sewarlis also certain. ltfol
lows that the mission of NJ. MERCER to the Con.
federate Government Is voluntary effort 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 indicated by III,
armies OF the Union. The President could not
but consent and approve OF NJ. Mercier's eommu
nicition lecanse il involved no arm siice on oui
part no abatement Of the demands Of the Unitec
States Government for the unconditional submis
sion Of the rebellion. but sustained the Presidea
in his defense OF the Constitution aad Union in
TIER original spirit. letter and integrity