The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-21
Lord Lyons's Dispatches ON American
Affairs.

those unfriendly feelings towards US that
were at one time so freely attributed to him
by guild mumcs at the capital. So far
from this, we have the clearest evidence of
the very opposite, without trace of any
disposition to take undue advantage of our
straitened situation last Summer. We make
room for few extracts respecting the more
important issues which arose since the out
break of insurrection.
Under date of December 24th, 1860,
while the secession movement was begin
ming, his lordship gives his views of it in
the following terms
am afraid very little moderation is to be
expected from the people of the cotton grow
ing States. Great as is the real importance of
tn ir staple, their own notions of the influence
it will secure to them have become SO much
exaggerated as to be prOpOsterOus. They seem
to think that the necessity of obtaining suf6-
cient supply of this commodity will oblige all
Europe. and especially Gre at Britain, to. treat
with them upon any terms which the y may
dictate. They talk of withholding their cot.
ton, as means of coercion. forgetting that
their own prosperity depends much more upon
selling it than that of the northern states and
of Europe can ever depend upon buying it.
They do not choose to remember the lesson SO
often taught by experience, that stopping the
supply OF a commodity from the ordinary
sources results in stimulating and giving sue.
cess to en- leavOrs to produce it elsewhere,
and to provide substitute for it. In answer
to all arguments, they are apt to repeat their
senseless cry that "Cotton is King"
After the fall OF Fort Sumter be writes
that "civil war is now imminent, or rather
has begun" The effect of it in arousiDg
feelings of resentment is deplored. The
following is his estimate OF the two belig-
erents
In the approaching contest the North has
the superiority in numbers and wealth. and the
immense advantage of possessing and of be-
| ing able to maintain navy. 1t has also an
OrnaniZed though small regular army but the
advantage of this will be in a great measure
| neutralized by the retirement of the Southern
officers. The South is, if the accounts which
reach US are to be trusted more unanimous;
it is more eager, and as it has more at stake is
more ready to make sacrifices. The faint of
| slavery will render the cause of the South re-
pugnant to the feelings of the civilized world.
On the other hand, commercial intercourse
to manufacturing nations.
Due credit is given to the loyal states for
the enthusiasm shown in entering upon the
war. "The government" writes this Min-
lister, "would have no difficulty in obtaining
thence any number of men for which it
might ask" At the same time fears are
expressed that Washington might fall, if
attacked, by coup de main. Otherwise
the belief is expressed that it will be secure
from attack.
Respecting the proposition made by Gov
ernor Hicks, of Maryland, to request the
English Minister to act as umpire between
the contending parties, the latter states the
fact OF its being unhestatingly rejected by
Mr.. Seward, and adds -
am convinced that no good effect could be
produced at this moment by any offer on the
part OF the representatives of the European
Powers to mediate between the North and the
South.
Under date of May 18th, he observes
that ono one the least acquainted with the
South assigns shorter period than a year
to the war, if war there must be. Few
consider it probable that in years time
the North will have made any real prog
ress toward subduing the South by force of
arms" His lordship has probably by this
time begun to see the matter il some
what different light. He observes:
To an Englishman sincerely interested in TIE
welfare of this country, the present state of
| things is peculiarly painful Adherence OF
slavery respect for law more complete
community Of race and language, enlist his
sympaihies on the side of the North. On the
other hand. he cannot but reflect that any en-
enlargement to the predominant war feeling
in the North cannot bat be Injurious to both
sections of the country, The prosecution of
the war can lead only to the exhaustion Of the
North. by an expenditure of life and mOaey On
an enterprise in which success and failure
would be alike disastrous. 1t must tend to
the utter devastation OF the South.
This is certainly not the language that
would be used by an agent who comprised
our mutual injury, il not destruction.
AS illustrating the feeling OF Lord Lyons
toward the general government, we extract
the following from dispatch dated July
lst
1t seems to me to be at the present moment
very unadvisable for me to raise any question
with the ULited States government which can
be avoided. shall, therefore, if possible, re.
frain for the present from making any official
remonstrance on the subject of these restrc.
| tons on commerce, and shall await instruc
tiOns from your LOrdship concerning them.
The facts in relation to the defeat at Bull
Ran are narrated without any hostile ami.
mus toward this country. Indeed, from
first to last we do not find any advice ten
dered to recognize the confederacy, or in any
manner reflect uDjustly upon the federal au.
thorities; while standing up in the interests
OF his own government. At the suggestion
Of Mr.. Seward, the protest which be was
directed to make against any act for closing
the Southern ports, was made verbalzy, lest
it might wear the appearance of threat
and have had bad effect. On this subject
he makes use of the following language: